By life the Scripture means, true life, life in union to God, in the image of God; life with bliss and purity. An eternity under conditions like those that belong to the life of sinful man, were utterly undesirable. True life includes everything desirable, and the entire universe of God is just one of its perquisites. They that believe in Christ have Christ. They that have Christ have life. They that have life, have it eternally. They that have eternal life may know that they have it, and rejoice in the antepast even in this world. The Bible is given to furnish them with the means of knowing that they have it If they find their names there, they shall certainly find them in the Lamb's book of life. As many as are the children of God, they are led by the Spirit of God, who is the Spirit of truth, and not only sanctifies them by the truth, but shows them their own new image in the mirror of the truth.
A daily devotional written by a Baptist Missionary to India, Reverend George Bowen (1816-1888) over 150 years ago.
George H. Bowen (30 April 1816 at Middlebury, Vermont – 5 February 1888 at Bombay, India) was an American missionary, newspaper man, linguist, and translator in India. He was known as "The White Saint of India" for his resemblance in manner and dress to the Hindu holy men.
By life the Scripture means, true life, life in union to God, in the image of God; life with bliss and purity. An eternity under conditions like those that belong to the life of sinful man, were utterly undesirable. True life includes everything desirable, and the entire universe of God is just one of its perquisites. They that believe in Christ have Christ. They that have Christ have life. They that have life, have it eternally. They that have eternal life may know that they have it, and rejoice in the antepast even in this world. The Bible is given to furnish them with the means of knowing that they have it If they find their names there, they shall certainly find them in the Lamb's book of life. As many as are the children of God, they are led by the Spirit of God, who is the Spirit of truth, and not only sanctifies them by the truth, but shows them their own new image in the mirror of the truth.