The Lord's people of spiritual Israel will do well to bear this thought continually in mind—that spiritual interests are to be given the preference always; that temporal affairs are to be managed and controlled from the standpoint of the everlasting welfare—from the standpoint of spiritual growth and development and prosperity—from the standpoint of the best interests and influences upon their children. They should not only hesitate to follow any suggestion that would take themselves and their families into unfavorable, godless surroundings, but they should determine that not under any consideration would they follow such a suggestion—that on the contrary the Lord's people should be their people, even though this would mean less of the comforts and luxuries of this present life.
In this verse Christ sets before us an ambition worthy of our best efforts; for what is more valuable than Christ Jesus, and everlasting life in the Kingdom with Jesus? Nor need the magnitude of these ambitions affright us; since God Himself has invited us thereto, binding Himself by an oath to give us all necessary help; since Jesus exercises His High Priestly office on our behalf, to insure our successful attainment thereof, and since our participation in the holy Spirit furnishes us with all the capacities therefore. These three things furnish us with all the helps both external and internal, necessary for our overcoming. More than these would injure us. Less than these would make us fail.
1 Kings 3:13; Mark 10:30; Rom. 8:32; 14:17, 18; 2 Tim. 4:8; Rom. 12:9-21; 1 Cor. 13; Gal. 5:22-25; Eph. 4:1-7, 12-16; 5:1, 2; Col. 3:10-25.
