Morning, January 12
Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings
1 Corinthians 3:23
"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!"