If we are to be "found of Him in peace, without spot and blameless," we must be "found in Him, not having our own righteousness, but that which is ours through faith in Christ." Toil and conflict, and anxious desire to be true to our responsibilities, will do much for a man, but they will not bring him that righteousness which brings down on the head the crown of life. We must trust to Christ to give us the righteousness in which we are justified, and to give us the righteousness by the working out of which in our life and character we are fitted for that great reward. He crowns our works and selves with exuberant and unmerited honours, but what he crowns is His own gift to us, and His great love must bestow both the righteousness and "the crown."

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