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!"
