[b]We shall leave this staff at heaven's door
(Thomas Watson , "A Divine Cordial" 1663)
Love is the most abiding grace. This will stay with us,
when other graces take their farewell. In heaven we
shall need no repentance--because we shall have no
sin. In heaven we shall not need patience--because
there will be no affliction. In heaven we shall need no
faith--because faith looks at unseen things (Heb. 11:1).
Then we shall see God face to face; and where there is
vision, there is no need of faith.
But when the other graces are out of date--love continues.
And in this sense the apostle says that love is greater than
faith or hope--because it abides the longest. "Love will last
forever!" (1 Cor. 13:8). Faith is the 'staff' which we walk
with in this life. "We walk by faith" (2 Cor. 5:7). But we
shall leave this staff at heaven's door--and only 'love'
shall enter. Thus love carries away the crown from all the
other graces. Love is the most long-lived grace--it is a
blossom of eternity. How should we strive to excel in this
grace, which alone shall live with us in heaven, and shall
accompany us to the marriage supper of the Lamb!