Newton on the Christian Life: To Live Is Christ

by Tony Reinke

Let me commend you and yours to the grace and care of our Lord Jesus. They that dwell under the shadow of his wings shall be safe. His service is perfect freedom; in his favor is life. May his name be precious to your heart! And may you have such increasing knowledge of his person, character, and offices, that beholding his glory in the gospel glass, you may be more changed into his image, drink into his spirit, and be more conformable to him. The highest desire I can form for myself, or my friends, is, that he may live in us, we may live to him, and for him, and shine as lights in a dark world. To view him by faith, as living, dying, rising, reigning, interceding, and governing for us, will furnish us with such views, prospects, motives, and encouragements, as will enable us to endure any cross, to overcome all opposition, to withstand temptation, and to run in the way of his commandments with an enlarged heart. And yet a little while, and he will put an end to our conflicts and fears, and take us home to be with him forever. Thus, by the power of his blood, and the word of his testimony, we shall be made more than conquerors, and in the end obtain the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.