December 4
The Advantages of Dying Daily
The Christian's Daily Treasury"I die daily." — 1 Corinthians 15:31.
THIS language sounds strange in the ears of the ungodly, who wish to banish all thoughts of death from their minds; but the true Christian will desire to enter more deeply and fully into its spiritual import. Note
THE ADVANTAGES OF THIS DAILY DEATH.
It checks worldly-mindedness. The love of the world deplumes the pinions of the soul with which it would soar towards heaven; but a daily look at death will enable us more freely to spread our wings, and rise on high, leaving the world and all things below in the distance.
It subdues pride. The strong man would not glory in his strength, if he were properly affected with the fact, that soon his body shall be consigned to the grave, and covered with putrefaction. Shall we be proud of this clay tenement that shall crumble into ruins? Let us rather strive after the beauty of the immortal spirit.
It prepares us for dying comfortably. It is impossible for us to die peacefully till we have learned the important lesson of dying daily. The believer's death may be compared, not so much to the setting sun that sinks behind the darkened west, obscured among the tempests of the sky, as to the morning star that melts away into the light of heaven.