Stars of the Church.
Though all godly men will be called to eternal life at the resurrection, a special honour is reserved for those who evince practical wisdom in spiritual fruitfulness.
I. TRUE WISDOM IS SEEN IN SUCCESS IN "TURNING MANY TO RIGHTEOUSNESS?" The wise and those who are thus successful are plainly identified in the text.
1. True wisdom will choose this as the noblest work. Men have various aims, as pleasure, pecuniary gain, power, fame, rank, self-culture, etc. The noblest aim is to seek to do good to others, and the highest good we can do is moral good. Hence the mission of the spiritual physician takes the first place among all vocations. It is the most Christlike. The neglect of this work for the propagation of barren dogmas, the promotion of sectarian tenets, the extension of ecclesiastical influence, or the mere intellectual culture of theological notions, is a proof of folly. The wise man will see that the work of the Christian teacher is practical and spiritual rather than intellectual and theoretical. It is to persuade men to turn from sin to God and goodness (2 Corinthians 5:20).
2. True wisdom is requisite for the successful execution of this work. God has left this to be dependent on the zeal, energy, and wisdom of his Church (2 Corinthians 4:7). Wisdom is needed
II. THE WISDOM WHICH IS SHOWN IN SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION TO RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL BE REWARDED WITH PECULIAR HONOUR.
1. Though all true Christians will be saved from ruin, and blessed with the heavenly inheritance, all will not be equally honoured. There will be differences of rank and honour in heaven (Luke 9:17-19).
2. Though we shall not be received into heaven on account of our own desert, but through the free grace of God (Ephesians 2:8), our relative place and honour in heaven will be determined according to our merits (Matthew 5:19). Indolent and selfish Christians must take a lower place than that of self-denying, diligent servants of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:14, 1 Corinthians 3:15).
3. The chief honour of heaven is reserved for those who have been wise in effecting the conversion of souls to righteousness. It is true that we are ultimately responsible for fidelity, not for success (Revelation 2:10). But failure often arises from unfaithfulness. We have no excuse for not having the wisdom which is the free gift of God, and may be possessed by those who are humanly accounted foolish (1 Corinthians 1:21-24). Successful missionary work receives especial honour, because it requires the greatest self-sacrifice, faith, zeal, and love; because it secures the most important good for mankind; and because it glorifies God supremely.
4. This honour consists in shining brightness, as