iner sat by the furnace until he
could see in the molten metal his own face mirrored, and then he knew
it was pure. So what pleases Christ in us is the reflection of
Himself. And how can we get that likeness to Himself except by
receiving into our hearts the Spirit that was in Christ Jesus, and
will dwell in us, and will produce in us in our measure the same
image that it formed in Him? 'Work _out_ your own salvation,'
because 'it is God that worketh _in_ you.' Labour, concentrate
effort, and above all open the heart to the entrance of that
transforming power.

III. Lastly, let me suggest the utter insignificance to which this
aim reduces all externals.

'We labour,' says Paul, 'that whether present or absent, we may be
accepted.' What differences of condition are covered by that
parenthetical phrase--'present or absent!' He talks about it as if it
was a very small matter, does he not? And what is included in it?
Whether a man shall be in the body or out of it; that is to say,
whether he be alive or dead. Here is an aim then, so great, so lofty,
so all-comprehensive that it reduces the difference between living in
the world and being out of it, to a trifle. And if we stand so high
up that these two varieties of condition dwindle into insignificance
and seem to have melted into one, do you think that there is anything
else that will be very big? If the difference between life and death
is dwindled and dwarfed, what else do you suppose will remain?
Nothing, I should think.

So if we only, by God's help, which will be given to us if we want
it, keep this clear before us as the motive of all our life, then all
the possible alternatives of human condition and circumstance will
sink into insignificance, and from that lofty summit will 'show
scarce so gross as beetles' in the air beneath our lofty station.

Whether we be rich or poor, solitary or beset by friends, happy or
sad, hopeful or despairing, young or old, wearied or buoyant, learned
or foolish, it matters not. The one aim lifts itself before us, and
they in whose eyes shine the light of that great issue are careless
of the road along which they pass. Do you enlist yourselves in the
company that fires at the long range, and all those that take aim at
the shorter ones will seem to be very pitifully limiting their
powers.

Then remember that this same aim, and this same result may be equally
pursued and attained whether here or yonder. It is something to have
a c