Paul further makes clear the distinction between the body sleeping and the soul not sleeping, because it has eternal life and is with Christ: "If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also that sleep in Jesus _will God bring with him_."--1 Thess. 4:14. Their bodies are asleep; their souls are "absent from the body and present with the Lord" (2 Cor. 5:8); but at the resurrection of their bodies, these "will God bring with him." Then, "at the resurrection of the just" (Luke 14:14) will "each man receive his own reward according to his own labor."--1 Cor. 3:8. Let this blessed teaching be a comfort to some hearts: the redeemed loved ones who have died are "present with the Lord" which "is far better." Then it is cruel selfishness to wish them back. X DEVELOPMENT OF CHARACTER IN THE REDEEMED "_The God of Jacob_ is our refuge."--Ps. 46:7. "Happy is he that hath _the God of Jacob_ for his help."--Ps. 146:5. "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise, and honor, and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ."--1 Peter 1:7. "Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."--James 1:14. "And we know that _all things_ work together for good to them that love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose."--Rom. 8:28. "The God of Jacob!" Not the God of Israel. Wonderful God! Blessed assurance, that "_the God of Jacob_ is our refuge,"--the God who saves the man without character, irrespective of character,--makes of him,--Israel. Jacob, the supplanter, the trickster, the weak character, the warped character, the sinner, God takes, and through trials, tests, develops him and makes of him Israel,--a prince of God. That is _God's plan with men_. Consider it. There are two theories, the poles apart. The one is, salvation by character; that by acquiring a suitable character, by developing the right kind of a character, man can be saved, can go to Heaven; that one's character, if of the proper kind, entitles him to Heaven; that if one has lived right, he will go to Heaven. The other theory is, that God by grace, pure unmerited favor, saves irrespective of character. It is a tremendous issue. It is vital; one or the other is fatal. If those who hold one theory go to Heaven, all who hold to the other will be lost, will go to Hell. We would as well face the issue. They are two widely different ways of salvation, and God has but one. Jesus said, "_I am the way_" (John 14:6), not one way, _The Way_. And He leaves no possible ground for misunderstanding the meaning, "No man cometh unto the Father, but by me."--John 14:6. Either, then, He is _the only way_, or He was the vilest deceiver the world ever knew, or He was a simple-minded, ignorant fanatic, who honestly thought Himself "The Way" when He was not.