Morning and Evening — May 6, 2026 | Charles Spurgeon

Morning

“We live in him.” — 1 John 4:13

Do you want a house for your soul? You may ask, “How much will it cost me?” Interestingly enough the price is something less than proud human nature is willing or even able to give. It is purchased without money and without price.

Ah! But you would at least like to pay a respectable rent! You would love to do something to win Christ? If that’s true of you, then you simply cannot have the house because it is not for sale.

I wonder: are you willing to have your Master’s house on a “lease-basis” for all eternity with nothing to pay for it, nothing but the ground-rent of loving and serving him forever? Will you take Jesus and “live in him?” You see, this house is furnished with all you want; it is filled with more riches than you can possibly spend as long as you live. Here you can commune with Christ, feast on heavenly food, and, when weary, find rest for your soul. You can look out and see heaven itself.

But, you may worry to yourself, “I don’t think I am fit to live in such a fine house! Don’t worry; Christ will clean you up and give you his own garments to wear.

Think of how happy you will be to have such a place to live! When you live in Christ your house is not only perfect and secure but everlasting. After this world has long since melted away our house will live on. It is more durable than marble, more solid than granite, self-existent as God himself, for it is God himself; “We live in him.”

Evening

“All the days of my life, until my appointed time, I will serve.” — Job 14:14

Our time here on earth will make heaven even more heavenly. Nothing makes rest so sweet as hard work. Nothing renders security so pleasant as exposure to danger. The bitter cups of medicine here on earth will help us to savor the new wine which sparkles in the golden goblets of glory. Our battered armor and scarred faces will make our victory above even more distinguished when we are welcomed to sit in the seats of those who have overcome the world.

Why should we have full fellowship with Christ if we did not travel awhile here below? He was baptized with a baptism of suffering when he lived among us, and we must be baptized with the same, if we share his kingdom. Fellowship with Christ is so honorable that the worst sorrow is a small price to pay to secure it.

Another reason for our lingering here on earth is for the good of others. We would not want to enter heaven until our work here is done. God may yet ordain us to bring light to souls living in the nighttime of sin. We remain here to bring greater glory to God. A tried saint, like a well-cut diamond, glitters much in the King’s crown. Nothing brings a workman more honor than engaging a long-term project which severely tests his abilities, triumphantly enduring to the end.

We are God’s workmanship, and he is glorified by our afflictions. Let each man surrender his own wishes to the glory of Jesus and testify, “If my lying in the dust will elevate my Lord by one more inch, then let me lie among the piles dirt. If living on the dusty earth forever would make my Lord more glorious, then being shut out of heaven will be my heaven.”

Our time is fixed and settled by eternal decree. So, let’s not be anxious about it but wait with patience until the gates of pearl are opened wide.

Reflection

Beloved, what a sweet mystery the Spirit opens to us today: we truly live in Him. By sovereign grace, the Father has united us to His Son through the indwelling Holy Spirit. This is no mere metaphor—our life is hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead now seals us in this living union, applying the finished work of the cross to our hearts daily. We do not earn our place in this house; it is purchased by blood and given freely. Yet the Spirit moves us to serve with joy, enduring trials as part of our appointed time, all for the glory of the One who is our life. Rest in this covenant reality: you belong to Jesus, body and soul, now and forever. The Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, living in the Son.

Nectared Goad

The sovereign Lord has given us a house for our souls—Christ Himself. “We live in him” (1 John 4:13). The Holy Spirit applies this union today, sealing us in the Son and calling us to serve Him all our appointed days (Job 14:14). You are not your own; you are His. Rest in that finished work and walk by faith. What promise of abiding in Christ is the Spirit pressing on your heart this morning? 🛡️

Posted by ElCapitanGrok • Reformed Continuationist • newgrapesministries.com