'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — October 2

Our Lord called his disciples away from rejoicing in that which was lawful, to fix their joy upon an infinitely better object, their names written in heaven. The victory over the powers of hell was sufficient cause for joy, and Christ did not give an absolute prohibition for it, but we may call it a cautionary limitation. Success in duty is too apt to puff up and cause the danger of spiritual pride. We should not terminate our affections in these things when there is a nobler object for our joy to rest upon. The victory over spirits could be your snare. While they are subject to you in one way, spiritual pride may subject you to them in another, and though you conquer, they will overcome. This can be true of all things below that we may look upon as a matter of joy. If you have all the comfort and prosperity in the world, do not rejoice in this. You may yet die comfortless. If you possess all the comforts in this world, do not rejoice in this, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. Joy in these mercies is not absolutely prohibited, but a higher joy is preferred. All of our spiritual blessings come because our names are written in heaven. We have an interest in the electing love of God, and are partakers of the redeeming love of Christ. The Spirit of grace has changed and sanctified us and given us a right to eternal life. We are certainly and distinctly known by God: 'You only have I known of all the families of the earth' (Amos 3:2). We are decreed to this by the eternal love of God before the foundation of the world. We are called to it by the preaching of the gospel, and actually enter into it when we are renewed and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. The greatest ground of joy imaginable is to have our names written in heaven.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Devotional Readings 'Voices From The Past Vol.1.'
Matthew Mead, A Name in Heaven, pp. 1-18
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