February 24

"Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called." — Ephesians 4:1.

PAUL rejoiced that, though he was in bonds, the word of the Lord was not bound. This epistle was written while he was "the prisoner of the Lord." We have here

The STATEMENT OF CHRISTIAN PRIVILEGE. Believers are effectually called by the Spirit.

They are called to knowledge. In conversion the darkness is removed from the understanding, and the true light shines into the soul; they have an unction from the Holy One, and know all things.

They are called to holiness. To serve a holy God, to receive holy impressions, to cultivate holy tempers and feelings, and to engage in holy pursuits.

They are called to peace. This is the characteristic of the Gospel of Christ, and pervades every part of it; and when it shall be universally spread, war shall be heard of no more.

They are called to glory. How high and dignified is their destination! All the grandeur and magnificence of the world, when put in competition with the bright anticipations of the sons of God, are but as the feeble light of a taper to the splendor of the sun.

THE REQUIREMENT OF CHRISTIAN DUTY. They are to walk worthy of their vocation. There is to be a correspondence between their calling and their conversation. If they are called to knowledge, they should walk wisely; if to holiness, they should walk unblamably; if to peace, they should walk affectionately; and if to glory, they should walk cheerfully. Let us study to make our calling and election sure: if we can discern the lineaments of the Divine image on our souls, these are the counterpart of the golden characters of his love, in which our names are written in the book of life.

"My name from the palms of his hands

Eternity will not erase:

Impressed on his heart it remains,

In marks of indelible grace:

Yes, I to the end shall endure,

As sure as the earnest is given;

More happy, but not more secure,

The glorified spirits in heaven."