Morning, January 12
Go To Evening Reading
“Ye are Christ's.”
1 Corinthians 3:23
“Ye are Christ's.” You are his by donation, for the Father gave you to the Son; his
by his bloody purchase, for he counted down the price for your redemption;
his by dedication, for you have consecrated yourself to him; his by
relation, for you are named by his name, and made one of his brethren
and joint-heirs. Labour practically to show the world that you are
the servant, the friend, the bride of Jesus. When tempted to sin,
reply, “I cannot do this great wickedness, for I am Christ's.” Immortal principles forbid the friend of Christ to sin. When wealth
is before you to be won by sin, say that you are Christ's, and touch
it not. Are you exposed to difficulties and dangers? Stand fast in
the evil day, remembering that you are Christ's. Are you placed where
others are sitting down idly, doing nothing? Rise to the work with
all your powers; and when the sweat stands upon your brow, and you
are tempted to loiter, cry, “No, I cannot stop, for I am Christ's. If I were not purchased by blood,
I might be like Issachar, crouching between two burdens; but I am
Christ's, and cannot loiter.” When the siren song of pleasure would tempt you from the path of
right, reply, “Thy music cannot charm me; I am Christ's.” When the cause of God invites thee, give thy goods and thyself away,
for thou art Christ's. Never belie thy profession. Be thou ever one
of those whose manners are Christian, whose speech is like the Nazarene,
whose conduct and conversation are so redolent of heaven, that all
who see you may know that you are the Saviour's, recognizing in you
his features of love and his countenance of holiness. “I am a Roman!” was of old a reason for integrity; far more, then, let it be your
argument for holiness, “I am Christ's!”