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THE
NEW LIFE by
John Marshall
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Chapter
14 • WORK
Spiritual
Proportion
In the new life of the spirit there must be a balance of aims
and tasks. To be so ambitious about one's work or profession
as to make serious inroads into one's spiritual life would
show a serious lack of proportion and would be the height
of folly. By old age, if we are so spared (and life is all
too short) our daily work is done, but eternity stretches
out before us: and that should be our aim; therefore if one
is to err in balance let it be on the side of eternity, and
not on that of one's present, transient life.
When the apostle Peter wrote of the high and holy calling
of the children of God he said that they were chosen so that
they could "show forth the excellencies (virtues) of
him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light".
Where better can brethren and sisters of Christ manifest divine
excellencies than in their daily work, which brings them into
association with their fellow men? It is indeed a great opportunity
to let our light so shine that men may see that we have been
with Jesus and are trying to manifest his good works.
We have been called to a great divine and historical purpose
and our service in our daily work advances this purpose a
little more every day. This consciousness of spiritual progress
towards the divine goal was in the mind of Jesus when he said:
"My Father worketh even until now, and I work."
Their work continues, being perfected by their love and grace.
Now we have been drawn into this continuing spiritual purpose
and, with their help, have to perfect it in ourselves. If
we are faithful to this work there is great reward, for we
shall be privileged to hear the captain of our salvation,
say: "Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast
been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many
things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
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References
1 Peter 2v9 RV, John 5v17 RV, Matt 25v23 RV
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Chapter
15 • LEISURE
"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose
under the heaven", or as the Hebrew word chephets is translated
elsewhere, a tune to every desire or pleasure. Thus if work is the
means whereby we earn our daily bread, leisure provides the opportunities
for the fulfillment of our personal desires and pleasures that cannot
be satisfied at the office desk or the factory bench. Although the
Bible says very little about leisure, it does give us glimpses of
its uses.
The soul (spirit), mind and body need to be refreshed and it is
in leisure that there is the time to pursue ways of restoring oneself.
Jesus enjoyed the opportunity of a change from the burdens and responsibilities
of his mission, otherwise he would not have gone with his mother
to the wedding feast, which was one of the infrequent occasions
when a people who often worked very hard for long hours would discover
that "a merry heart doeth good like a medicine".
The extraordinary charm that put the rich and the poor, men and
women, the very young and the old at ease in the company of Jesus
ensured him a welcome at any gathering. But even at such a joyous
occasion as a wedding, he never forgot the will, or the desire,
of his Father, or his coming sacrifice as the Lamb of God. Hence
his reference to his death when his mother said to him, "They
have no wine."
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References
Ecc 3v1, Prov 17v22, John 2v1-11
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