Be Sober-Minded Because You Are On Trial

You are here in this world upon your trial for heaven. Oh, that you would firmly believe this, not only that you are hastening rapidly to eternity, but that it will certainly be to you a comfortable, or a miserable eternity, according to what you are and do while you are in the body! And this consideration, one would think, should make you sober.

Eternal life is set before you, eternal happiness is in vision and fruition of God; you may make it sure that it be not your own fault; may lay hold on it if you look about you now. There are substantial honors, satisfying pleasures, and true riches, in comparison with which all the riches, honors, and pleasures of this world are empty names and shadows: these may be your portion for ever—they shall be so if by a patient continuance in well-doing, through Christ, you seek for this glory, honor, and immortality. You are here probationers for the best preferment, for a place in the new Jerusalem; you stand candidates for a crown, a kingdom, incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away; you stand fair for it.

Is it not time to think then—to think seriously—and soberly to apply yourselves to that business for which you were sent into this world, and which, if it be done faithfully, you may remove with comfort to another world? But if not, your removal to that world will be terrible! You ought to be serious and circumspect now because as you spend your time, so you are likely to spend your eternity; and a great deal of work you have to do, and but little time to do it in.

Let me put the case to you, as to this world: If a wise and wealthy man should take one of you, that had but little, and tell you that you should come into his family and he would provide food and clothing for you for one year; and if you carried yourself well for that year, would submit to the prudent discipline of his family, would be observant of him, and take care to please him, that then at the year’s end he would give you ten thousand pounds; but if you were rude and ungovernable, he would turn you out of doors; would not this put you upon considering? Would it not make you sober? Would you not deny yourselves the gratification of many a desire, for fear of displeasing such a benefactor?

This is your case; the time of your probation is but short; the terms are easy and reasonable; the God you are to please is not hard to be pleased, nor will He impose any thing upon you but what becomes you, and will be pleasant to you. The happiness He proposes is infinitely more worth than thousands of gold and silver, and the security He gives is the inviolable promise of One who cannot lie nor deceive. The misery, if you come short of it, is worse than being turned out of doors—it is to be cast into utter darkness.

Life and death—good and evil— the blessing and the curse—are set before you, and will you not then set your hearts to all the words which we testify unto you? Will you not think soberly, that you may make sure work in a matter of such vast importance, on which your lives and the lives of your souls depend? You are here upon your good behavior, and therefore are concerned to behave yourselves well; for if you do not, “Son, remember” will be a dreadful peal rung in your ears shortly; remember how fair you stood for happiness, and what the morsel of meat was, for which, like profane Esau, you sold that birth-right.

A mighty fortress is our God,
A trusty shield and weapon;
He helps us free from every need
That hath us now o’ertaken.
The old bitter foe
Now means our deadly woe:
Deep guile and great might
Are his dread arms in fight,
On earth is not his equal.

With might of ours naught can be done,
Our loss were soon effected;
But for us fights the Valiant One,
Whom God Himself elected.
Ask ye, Who is this?
Jesus Christ it is,
Lord of Sabaoth,
There is no other God,
He holds the field for ever.

Though devils all the world should fill,
All watching to devour us,
We tremble not, we fear no ill,
They can not overpower us.
This world’s prince may still
Scowl fierce as he will,
He can harm us none,
He’s judged, the deed is done,
One little word o’erthrows him.

The word they still shall let remain,
Nor any thank have for it,
The Lord’s with us upon the plain
With His good gifts and Spirit;
Take they then our life,
When their worst is done,
They yet have nothing won
The kingdom ours remaineth.

1529

Rev. Matthew Henry (1662–1714) pastored a Presbyterian congregation at Chester, England, for twenty-Five years. He is best known and loved for his Bible commentary (1708–10). This series of articles is taken from his The Young Christian.

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