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November 5

Life Worth Living

I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. — John 17:15 BSB

In one sense, it would be much safer for believers to be taken to heaven immediately after they begin following Christ. There, they would face no temptations, no enemies, no battles, no struggles. But who, then, would do Christ’s work in the world? Who would tell sinners about the Savior? Who would show others the beauty of Christ through a holy life? Who would fight God’s battles on earth?

There is another reason Christians are left here. The most majestic trees are not those growing in sheltered valleys where no storms blow, but those on hilltops and mountains, exposed to fierce gales. The same is true of people: the noblest characters are developed through hardship and struggle, not in pampered ease. Even Jesus Himself was trained in the school of conflict. It might seem easier to go through life without battles, living in sheltered places where storms never blow, carrying no burdens. But what kind of life would that be in the end? If we want to reach the heights of blessedness, we must be willing to go through struggle.

When armies return victorious, the loudest cheers are not for those who fought the fewest battles or whose flags are the cleanest, but for the regiments reduced to a few men and for the flags that are torn and tattered. In the same way, when the redeemed are welcomed home in heaven, those who fought the most battles and bear the most "marks of the Lord Jesus" will receive the highest honors. So, even for the sake of our own growth and strength, it is better for us to stay in this world and be strengthened through duty and conflict.


Daily Word of God - November 5

Public domain content taken from Come Ye Apart by J.R. Miller.


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