| The Building of Character |
Chapter 24 |
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Every Christian life in this world is a branch of a great vine which grows in heaven — a branch growing outside the wall. “Your life is hid with Christ in God.” We have heaven’s life in us in this world. The fruits that grow upon us are heavenly fruits. Jesus spoke of giving His own peace to His disciples. He prayed that they might have His joy fulfilled in themselves. We read too that love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, are fruits of the Spirit. Thus in our human life in this world we are drawing our life and its support from the hidden source of life in the heart of God. This assures us of its security. It is beyond the reach of earthly harm. Herein, too, lies the secret of the quiet peace which we find so often in Christian sufferers. In all their pain they are sustained by some hidden strength which the world could not understand. They are drawing their life from a source which no earthly experience could reach or effect.
“Oh! There are some who, while on earth they dwell,
And seem to differ little from the throng,
Already to the heavenly choir belong,
And even heart the same sweet anthem swell;
“They joy, at times, with joy unspeakable,
Pouring to Him they love their heartfelt song;
While to behold Him face to face they long,
As the parched traveler for the cooling well.
“Ask you how such from others may be known?
Mark those whose look is calm, their brow serene,
Gentle their words, love breathing in each tone,
Scattering rich blessings all around unseen.
“They draw each hour, from living founts above,
The streams they pour around of peace and joy and love.”
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