Rejoice That Your Names are Written in Heaven

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 (Luke 10:20).

-- Matthew Mead

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