"If any man serve Me," is the saying, " le* him follow Me."
That expression, " following," is one of wide signifi- cation, and brings before our minds many familiar ideas As the soldier follows his general, as the servant follows his master, as the scholar follows his teacher, as the sheep follows its shepherd, just so ought the professing Chris- tian to follow Christ. Faith and obedience are the leading marks of real followers, and will alwaj^s be seen in true believing Christians. Their knowledge may be very small, and their infirmities very great ; their grace very weak, and their hope very dim. But they believe what Christ saj's, and strive to do what Christ commands. And of such Christ declares, " They serve Me, they are mine."
Christianity like this receives little from man. It is too thorough, too decided, too strong, too real. To serve Christ in name and form is easy work, and satisfies most people, but to follow Him in faith and life demands more trouble than the generality of men will take about their souls. Laughter, ridicule, opposition, persecution, are often the only reward which Christ's followers get from the world. Their religion is one, " whose praise is not of men, but of God." (Rom. ii. 29.)
Yet to him that followeth, let us never forget, the Lord Jesus holds out abundant encouragement: "Where I am," He declares, " there also shall my servant be ; if any man serve Me, him will my Father honour." Let us lay to heart these comfortable promises, and go forward in the narrow way without fear. The world may cast out our name as evil, and turn us out of its society ; but when we dwell with Christ in glory, we shall have a home from which we can never be ejected. — The world may pour contempt on our religion, and laugh us and our Chris- tianity to scorn ; but when the Father honours us at the