NO LIFE BUT IN CHRIST
"The tree of life." -Revelation 22:2 [KJV] Lead me, O Holy Ghost, by the hand of faith, this morning, into the paradise of God, and cause me to sit down under the tree of life; and for a while, before the world breaks in upon me, enable me to meditate on its beauties, its loveliness, and its fruit. Is it not Jesus which I behold in this charming similitude? Surely Jesus is to me the tree of life, for I have no life but in Him! And it is not only He which gave me life at the first, but preserves it, maintains it, and will preserve it for ever. He saith Himself, "Because I live, ye shall live also." And as He is Himself the life of my soul, so every thing in Him is the promoter of my life. His fruit also is all my sustenance, all I want, all I desire, all I can truly enjoy. He bears twelve manner of fruits. Yes, for there is in Him both fulness and variety: pardon, mercy, and peace, in the blood of His cross; favour with God, affection with men; the Spirit's...