begins to fail, strength is reduced, and
spiritual death will ensue, unless by penitence I cut the cord and let
the life-blood flow freely once again.

Prayer and faithfulness in the use of what I already have will keep the
channels open. Every cry of my soul to God, every effort to do His
will, every resistance of the Evil One, produces a stronger, more
vigorous circulation in the Body, that makes my strength greater, my
life richer, with the communication of all that the Body of Christ
possesses for the edifying of its members.

III. _God's Interest in Our Victory_

There is among men to-day a wide-spread notion of Christianity that
bases everything upon a spirit of utter selfishness. It tells me to
think always of my own soul; that if I find a reasonable assurance that
this soul of mine will in the end "be saved," I need give no thought to
further service of God. In short it is a strange and monstrous belief
that teaches me to look out for myself, to serve God for just what I
can get out of Him, to drive as shrewd a bargain with Him as I can, and
win heaven on as cheap terms as is in any way possible. It is a
Christianity, falsely so called, that leaves out of consideration the
{210} most important fact of all, namely, that God has an infinite
interest in me and my victory, because His first relation to me is that
of a tender, loving Father whose heart yearns over me, who loves me
with an everlasting love.[11]

When I think of this, I can understand how strong an encouragement I
can draw from the consideration of His interest in the issue of the
battle to which He calls me. My victory involves the destiny of my
soul, but the destiny of my soul involves the eternal honour of God.

(1) Our Lord has gone to prepare a place for me. This place is
awaiting me, a place in the heavenly choirs among those whose eternal
occupation is to serve God day and night in His temple. What that
service is in its nature and detail I know not. But one thing I know;
that so deeply is it bound up with the divine interest and honour, that
God counted it worth while to sacrifice the life of His eternal Son,
amid the torments of the Cross, in order to win me for that service.
There is the place awaiting me; the heavenly ranks are not full; the
heavenly task is not yet done: a rift is in the heavenly praises, a
hand wanting in the work, until I come thither to have my part among
those who are counted worthy of the eternal rest