. A UNION WHICH WILL LAST FOREVER
by John McDuff. My Beloved is mine, and I am
his. Song of Songs 214. This is the
language of the Christian in the Book of Canticles, How great
is the blessedness involved in such an assurance. My beloved
Jesus is mine, in the dignity of his person, in the suitability
of his offices, in the immensity of his love, in the efficacy
of his atonement, in the riches of his abounding grace. His righteousness
is mine, to justify me. His spirit is mine, to sanctify
me. His power is mine, to defend
me. His wisdom is mine, to guide
me. And His heaven is mine, to receive
me. And what does Christ say to the
believer in return? I am yours, and all that I have
is yours. I have boundless and unsearchable
riches, and those riches are for you. I have happiness to
bestow, such as the mind in its largest grasp has never been
able to conceive. and that happiness is for you.
I have crowns and scepters at my disposal, and all those honors
are for you. Yes, to him who overcomes, I
will grant to sit with me on my glorious throne. The Christian's
exultation and bliss is not a matter of doubtful disputation. And
what makes it so certain? It is the blessed truth that
the union which exists between Him and Christ is an indissoluble
union. All other relations, however
close and endearing, must be broken. That union of husband
and wife, and soul and body, has no power to resist the assault
of death, the great destroyer. All earthly ties must then be
severed, but death, which breaks every other bond, only strengthens
the bond between the Christian and Christ. Death, which quenches
every other love, only kindles that of the believer for Jesus
into a purer and intenser flame. Death, which snatches every other
object from our grasp, only brings us to the full enjoyment of Him,
who is the fountain of life, the great center and source of
all blessedness. Christian, rejoice in your union
with Jesus. The changes of time cannot touch
it. The storms of life cannot injure
it. The sword of persecution cannot
sever it. The damps of death cannot affect
it. The malice of hell cannot move
it. It is a union which will last
forever. It follows, therefore, that you,
if a partaker of it, will be rich for ever, safe for ever,
dignified for ever, and blessed for ever.