“May the cheering contemplation of the hope set before us fill us with a holy ambition of shining as lights in the world to the praise and glory of His grace who has called us out of darkness.
Encompassed as we are with snares, temptations, and infirmities, it is possible (by His promised assistance) to live in some good measure above the world while we are in it, above the influence of its cares, its smiles, or its frowns.
Our conversation, πολιτευμα, our citizenship, is in heaven. We are not at home, but only resident here for a season, to fulfil an appointed service.
And the Lord, whom we serve, has encouraged us to hope that He will guide us by His wisdom, strengthen us by His power, and comfort us with the light of His countenance, which is better than life.
Every blessing we receive from Him is a token of His favour, and a pledge of that far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory which He has reserved for us.
Oh! To hear Him say at last, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord!’ will be a rich amends for all that we can lose, suffer, or forbear, for His sake.”
–John Newton, “Cardiphonia” in The Works of John Newton, Volume 1 (London: Hamilton, Adams & Co., 1824), 1: 471-472.
