Withdrawn once again from the immediate concerns of this passing life, we have an opportunity for sober reflection which we do well to turn to account. Soon we shall assemble in another place on an occasion, and for a purpose, that will cause us to think soberly, if we have never done so before, but our sober thinking may not have the same value then. Gathered in the presence of Christ for judgment, our sober thoughts will have no corrective power. There will be no further opportunity of giving effect to wise resolutions. The account will be closed. Things done under the impulse created by the announcement of the Lord's actual arrival will not be reckoned; works of faith, or their absence, that will be the ground of acceptance or rejection. The difference between the present occasion and that, is that we can now sit in judgment on ourselves to some purpose. We can examine ourselves in the light of the standard, and see where we are. If we are walking as becometh saints, we can renew our course in thanksgiving; if we are faltering in the way, we can confess our sins, ask forgiveness, and determine on a more strict subjection to the work in all things, seeking to obey the apostolic exhortation which says: "Be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless" (2nd Peter 3:14).
(By Robert Roberts)