Romans 14:8

If we live, we live to honor the Lord and if we die, we die to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

If God had willed it, each of us might have entered heaven at the moment of our conversion. It was not absolutely necessary for our preparation for immortality that we should stay here. It is possible for a man to be taken to heaven and be found ready to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light, even though he has just believed in Jesus. It is true that our sanctification is a long and continued process. We shall not be perfected till we lay aside our bodies and enter within the veil, nevertheless, had the Lord willed it, he might have changed us from imperfection to perfection and taken us to heaven at once. Why then are we here? Why would God keep his children out of paradise a single moment longer than was necessary? Why is the army of the living God still on the battle-field when one charge might give them the victory? Why are his children still wandering here and there as in a maze, when a solitary word from his lips would bring them into the center of their hopes in heaven? The answer is, they are here that they may "live unto the Lord," and may bring others to know his love. We remain on earth as sowers of the Good News, to scatter good seed, as ploughmen to break up the fallow ground, as heralds proclaiming salvation. We are here as the "salt of the earth," to be a blessing to the world. We are here to glorify Christ in our daily lives. We are here as workers for him, and as "workers together with him." Let us see that our lives answer our calling. Let us live earnest, useful, holy lives, to "the praise of the glory of his grace." Meanwhile we long to be with him, and daily sing--

• "My heart is with him on his throne,
• And ill can brook delay;
• Each moment listening for the voice,
• Rise up, and come away."