There is a preaching of the gospel which, while rejoicing in justification and in the new life in Christ, yet seems to stop short at that point - as if the beginning of new life is all there is to salvation.
Questions on the holy life of sanctification are scarcely raised, a joi de vivre of the simple gospel prevails, often with a wealth of extravagant praise, but owing little or nothing to the Christian experience of fellowship in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ - as if that was exclusively for our Lord on our behalf, but not for us.
Whereas the very new birth itself introduces us to a life of costly obedience which, for all its grace, carries obligations of service as sacred duty, and promises rich, abiding, heavenly rewards. Horatius Bonar's hymn says: 'The life above, when this is past, is the ripe fruit of life below.'
