七月十日
是與聖徒同國。（弗2：19）
我們作天國的子民有什麽意義呢？那就是說我們是在天國的治理之下。天國的王基督在我們心中掌權，我們天天的禱告乃是：“願你的旨意行在地上如同行在天上。”我們甘心接受榮耀寶座所出的指示，我們樂意順服大君王的命令。我們既是新耶路撒冷的子民，我們就有天上的尊榮，蒙福的聖徒所有的榮耀也是我們的，因爲我們已經是神的兒子了，已經成爲君王的後裔；我們已經穿上了耶穌潔白的義袍，我們已經有天使伺候；聖徒是我們的同伴，基督是我們的兄長，神是我們的父，幷且永不朽壞的冠冕是我們的獎賞。
我們有天國子民的尊榮，因我們的名既被錄在天上，就得以參加諸長子所共聚的總會。既是子民，我們就有承受天上一切産業的權柄。珍珠門、碧玉墻是我們的；城內的榮光，幷非日月的光，也是我們的；生命的河水和河邊按月結十二樣果子的生命樹，都是我們的；天上沒有一樣不是屬我們的。“現在的事或將來的事”都是我們的。我們既是天國的子民也得享受天上的歡樂。天使不是爲悔改的罪人——回家的浪子歡喜快樂嗎?我們也要這樣；他們爲得勝的恩主唱歌幷將榮耀歸給他嗎？我們也要這樣；他們把冠冕摘下在他的脚前俯拜嗎？我們也有這樣的榮幸；他們因他的慈面得到安慰嗎?我們在地上的人也一樣地嘗到這滋味；他們也等待他再來嗎？我們也盼望幷切慕他快顯現。這樣，我們既是天國的子民，就當讓我們的行動與我們的尊貴地位相符。
July 10
“Fellow citizens with the saints.” —
Ephesians 2:19
What is meant by our
being citizens in heaven? It means that we are under heaven’s government.
Christ the king of heaven reigns in our hearts; our daily prayer is, “Thy
will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” The proclamations issued from
the throne of glory are freely received by us: the decrees of the Great King we
cheerfully obey. Then as citizens of the New Jerusalem, we share heaven’s
honours. The glory which belongs to beatified saints belongs to us, for we are
already sons of God, already princes of the blood imperial; already we wear the
spotless robe of Jesu’s righteousness; already we have angels for our
servitors, saints for our companions, Christ for our Brother, God for our
Father, and a crown of immortality for our reward. We share the honours of
citizenship, for we have come to the general assembly and Church of the
first-born whose names are written in heaven. As citizens, we have common
rights to all the property of heaven. Ours are its gates of pearl and walls of
chrysolite; ours the azure light of the city that needs no candle nor light of
the sun; ours the river of the water of life, and the twelve manner of fruits
which grow on the trees planted on the banks thereof; there is nought in heaven
that belongeth not to us. “Things present, or things to come,” all
are ours. Also as citizens of heaven we enjoy its delights. Do they there
rejoice over sinners that repent–prodigals that have returned? So do we. Do
they chant the glories of triumphant grace? We do the same. Do they cast their
crowns at Jesu’s feet? Such honours as we have we cast there too. Are they
charmed with His smile? It is not less sweet to us who dwell below. Do they
look forward, waiting for His second advent? We also look and long for His
appearing. If, then, we are thus citizens of heaven, let our walk and actions
be consistent with our high dignity.
