August 3

When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. — Col 3:4 BSB

If Christ is your life on earth, if you have a living faith in his divine majesty, if even a few drops of his love have ever touched your soul, or if any sweet smile from him has ever comforted your heart, then hear the Apostle’s words: “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” No longer tormented by sin and Satan, no longer carrying about a frail body riddled with weaknesses and ailments, but instead clothed with a soul as pure as he is pure and a spiritual body capable of eternal bliss, “then you will appear with him in glory.” You, suffering saints, who have set your hearts on him without having seen him, yet believe in him, will appear with him in glory.

Isn’t this worth striving for? Isn’t this a blessed goal to reach for? Isn’t this a prize worthy of running the race? Isn’t this an ample reward for all your temptations, troubles, griefs, and sorrows—to believe, and not in vain, that “when he appears, you will appear with him in glory?” May the Lord, if it’s his will, lead our souls into these divine and blessed realities. They are the essence of true godliness. And as far as we feel them, and live under the sweet influences of the Spirit of grace, these things will be all our salvation and, if we are rightly taught, all our desire.