By Wm. Freeman Jones, Iberia, Mo.

"For we ourselves were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another" (Titus 3:3). Such has always been the unholy condition of the lost world. But for its evils, no plan of salvation should ever have been needed. Without any sin or possibility of sinning, there had never been need for costly provision for preparing earthly inhabitants for eternal glory. But law was needful; sin has abounded; and teachers and preachers of law have been called for. And by having the dividing line set by the divine power, there is a difference between the righteous and the wicked, between the saved and the unsaved.

To uphold and carry out the heavenly plan, sacrifice, labor, time, and means otherwise are required. Some must bear untold burdens which others should bear, but do not. Some must endure hisses, scorns, wounds, sacrifice and untold suffering because of neglect of others. Therefore it is truly said, "This world is a world of trouble and sorrow."

It seems that the few must endure the failures and neglects of all. One, the holy child Jesus, "bore it all" for the rest of us, that we might be "heirs of God, and joint-heirs of Christ." The confident hope of the few faithful disciples of our risen Lord rests on His promise that the crown of 1ife awaits us "at the end of the way." Since there is nothing more inviting, we conclude that, at the extreme price, the reward is well worth the cost of the journey through the world of darkness, bleakness, exposure and privation.

The world has its "divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another." But Christians worthy of that exalted name left all such in the sin-cured world, being translated" into the kingdom of God’s dear Son," the higher and nobler relationship with the "Rock of Ages." And when such worthies depart from this world, that they can hope for the highest and noblest relationship in an eternal realm of never-changing day. "The path of the just is as a shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever" Daniel 12:3).

The happy Israelites had turned their back upon God’s enemies, the Egyptians, and were wending their wearisome way to the earthly Caanan, the happy abode promised for them to their forefathers; the happy Christians have turned their backs upon all enemies of God’s righteousness, that they may "seek for a better country." Unlike Lot’s wife and all her imitators, Christians realize that to turn and look back lustfully to the world from whence they came out would be to endanger their faithfulness and steadfastness. Therefore they moved forward, however stony and rough the road may seem, "looking for the recompense of the reward." Jesus is at the end of the way, for He is "the way, and the Truth, and the life," alone having" the words of eternal life," and for each a glittering crown in his hand.

Worthy Christians will accept the correction and reproof and instruction of divine revelation as often as is needed. They want the Truth and seek for it, disregarding popularity with the masses or classes, prestige among men, financial gain, or worldly friendship. They will sacrifice even their dearest earthly friendships for heavenly gain and enhancing the divine house of God, the Gospel spread, and the spiritual welfare of their own souls and the souls of others. What if earthly friends laugh in derision? Christ was derided. What if preachers and teachers accuse, threaten, censure, malign, slander, or persecute? Christ was so maltreated. Are they better than He who gave all, and died for them, that they might live? In no wise. Shall He suffer death on the despised cross of blood, while they go to glory "on flowery beds of ease, while others fought to win the prize, and sailed through bloody seas?"

Worthy Christians do not falsify, cheat, deceive, steal, covet evil things, but live with and for Christ, whatever the cost, having charity. They "Remember Lot’s wife."