In Jesus and Jesus alone we find eternal life, present happiness, and future glory, for “Christ is all” (Col. 3:1111Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. (Colossians 3:11)). Jesus is the chief good center of rest, source of grace and truth. God gives not His good things apart from Jesus. Abiding in Him we receive every blessing.
Communion with Jesus in the Spirit by faith and prayer should be the habit of our life here. We should never forget Him, His preciousness or presence in all places. “To me to live is Christ” (Phil. 1:2121For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)). Pursuit after riches, honors, this world’s pleasures and entertainments, rather than having Jesus as the object of our heart, is folly and sin.
A beloved brother, now home with the Lord, sent the following note from his deathbed to his brethren in Christ: “I have preached for thirty-two years the complete atonement of Christ, His perfect righteousness and salvation through His blood. These truths are now my hope, comfort and stay. I believe that God’s righteousness is mine, that Christ’s atonement is my perfect satisfaction for sin, and the indwelling Holy Spirit my support and life now. In this faith I have lived, and in this faith I die. I have nothing else, and I want no more.”
On another occasion he said to one who sat by his bedside, “We who preach the gospel ought to set before believers more fully the joys of communion with Christ as a living and present friend. Too often we preach about Christ rather than preaching Christ. We preach too often about salvation rather than setting forth the Saviour.
“I have learned to think more about the person of my living Saviour than about the doctrines that concern Him. If I were raised up again from this bed of sickness while I would preach the doctrines that I have ever preached I would set before my brethren the joy of present, personal communion with Jesus, for He has said, ‘Lo, I am with you alway, even to the end of the world.’ ”
Things New and Old, Vol. 15 (adapted)