If God had willed it, each of us could have entered heaven the moment we believed! Think about it—it wasn't absolutely necessary for our preparation for immortality that we should stay here. A person can be taken to heaven and be found perfectly ready for the inheritance of the saints in light, though they have but just believed in Jesus.

Yes, our sanctification is a long and continued process. We won't be perfected till we lay aside these bodies and enter within the veil. But nevertheless, had the Lord so willed it, he could have changed us from imperfection to perfection and taken us to heaven at once.

Why then are we here? Would God keep his children out of paradise a single moment longer than necessary? Why is the army of the living God still on the battlefield when one charge might give them the victory? Why are his children still wandering through this maze when a solitary word from his lips would bring them into the center of their hopes in heaven?

The answer is—we are here that we may "live unto the Lord," and may bring others to know his love.

We remain on earth as sowers to scatter good seed! As plowmen to break up the fallow ground! As heralds publishing salvation! We are here as the "salt of the earth," to be a blessing to the world. We are here to glorify Christ in our daily life. We are here as workers for him, and as "workers together with him."

Let us see that our life answers its purpose. Let us live earnest, useful, holy lives, to "the praise of the glory of his grace."

Meanwhile we long to be with him, and daily sing—"My heart is with him on his throne, and ill can brook delay; each moment listening for the voice, 'Rise up, and come away!'"