LIKE whom? Like Jesus in His glorified humanity. As free from sin, as perfect in holiness, as completely happy. His likeness will appear in every Believer. What a contrast with the present! Now we appear to ourselves, at times, as like Satan as possible. O the depth of depravity we discover, the powerful corruptions we feel, the fearful opposition to God we sometimes experience! But we shall be like Him. God has purposed it, the Gospel plainly reveals it, and the Holy Spirit is engaged to effect it. Every evil shall be purged out, every virtue shall be produced and perfected, and we shall be pure as He is pure. Let us then look forward to, and anticipate that glorious period: let us consider the end of our election, redemption, and calling; and let us pray, pant, and strive to be holy. If holiness is our element, heaven will be our home, and unspeakable happiness our eternal portion. But we know not what we shall be, only that we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him.
O when shall I, like Jesus, be In soul and body clean? The true, eternal Sabbath see, A perfect rest from sin? The great salvation I shall know, And perfect liberty; And free from all my chains below, My soul ascend to Thee.
Written by James Smith for his own flock around 1840, but such was the demand that by 1846 over thirty thousand copies where in circulation.
James Smith was a predecessor of Charles Spurgeon at New Park Street Chapel in London from 1841-1850. He also ministered with great blessing in Cheltenham. His devotional, The Believer's Daily Remembrancer, subtitled Pastor's Morning and Evening Visit, was very popular in its own day, and has received a new lease of life through recent republication.
LIKE whom? Like Jesus in His glorified humanity. As free from sin, as perfect in holiness, as completely happy. His likeness will appear in every Believer. What a contrast with the present! Now we appear to ourselves, at times, as like Satan as possible. O the depth of depravity we discover, the powerful corruptions we feel, the fearful opposition to God we sometimes experience! But we shall be like Him. God has purposed it, the Gospel plainly reveals it, and the Holy Spirit is engaged to effect it. Every evil shall be purged out, every virtue shall be produced and perfected, and we shall be pure as He is pure. Let us then look forward to, and anticipate that glorious period: let us consider the end of our election, redemption, and calling; and let us pray, pant, and strive to be holy. If holiness is our element, heaven will be our home, and unspeakable happiness our eternal portion. But we know not what we shall be, only that we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him.
O when shall I, like Jesus, be In soul and body clean? The true, eternal Sabbath see, A perfect rest from sin? The great salvation I shall know, And perfect liberty; And free from all my chains below, My soul ascend to Thee.