John Owen: Holiness Will Not Be Left Behind

John Owen in his book on the Holy Spirit was writing about how the Holy Spirit instills a new holy nature within us when Owen goes on to describe the rewards of holy endeavors. I thought this quote almost poetic.

We must also consider, that holiness is not confined to this life, but passes over into eternity and glory. Death has no power to destroy it or divest us of it. Its acts indeed are transient, but its fruits abide for ever in their reward. They who die in the Lord 'rest from their labours, and their works follow them' (Rev. 14:13). 'God is not unrighteous to forget their labour of love' (Heb. 6:10). There is not any fruit of holiness, not the least, not the giving 'a cup of cold water to a disciple of Christ, in the name of a disciple', but it shall be had in everlasting remembrance. Nothing shall be lost, but all fragments shall be gathered up, and kept safe for ever. Every thing else in this world, however specious, shall be burnt up and consumed as 'hay and stubble' when the least, the meanest, the most secret fruit of holiness, shall be gathered as 'gold and silver' into God's treasury, and become a part of the riches of the inheritance of the saints in glory. Let no soul fear the loss of any labour in the duties of holiness, in the most secret contest against sin, for inward purity, for outward fruitfulness, in the mortification of sin, resistance of temptations, in self-denial, or contentment; all that you know, and what you do not know, shall be revived, called over, and abide eternally in its reward.(p.250, The Holy Spirit: His Gifts and Power)