The goal of living in this world. J. R. Miller, Things That Endure. The goal of living in this world
is ever to grow into more and more radiant and lovely Christ-like
character, whatever our conditions or experiences may be. We cannot
escape temptations, but we are so to meet them and pass through
them as not to be hurt by them, to come out of them with new
strength and new radiancy of soul. We cannot escape trials
and difficulties, but we are to live victoriously, never defeated,
always overcoming. We cannot find a path in which
no sorrow shall come into our lives, but we are to live through
the experience of sorrow without being hurt by it. Many people
receive harm from the fires which pass over them. Many fall in
temptation and lie in dust and defeat, not rising again. Many are soured and embittered
by the difficulties, the irritations, the frictions, the cares of life. But the problem of Christian
living is to keep a sweet Christ-like spirit amid all that might embitter
us. to pass through the fires and
not have the flames kindle upon us. We live in the midst of the
countless dangers through which we must pass in this world. Danger lurks in every shadow
and hides in every patch of sunshine. There are tempters all around
us, Only by committing our lives day by day into the hands of
Christ can we be kept in safety amid the perils of this world. He is able to keep us from falling,
to guard us from stumbling, and to set us before His presence
without blemish in exceeding joy.