Evening
Time: 11:41 PM PST
"Are they Israelites? so am I." --2 Corinthians 11:22
We have here A PERSONAL CLAIM, and one that needs proof. The apostle
knew that His claim was indisputable, but there are many persons who have
no right to the title who yet claim to belong to the Israel of God. If we are
with confidence declaring, "So am I also an Israelite," let us only say it after
having searched our heart as in the presence of God. But if we can give proof
that we are following Jesus, if we can from the heart say, "I trust Him wholly,
trust Him only, trust Him simply, trust Him now, and trust Him ever," then the
position which the saints of God hold belongs to us--all their enjoyments are
our possessions; we may be the very least in Israel, "less than the least of all
saints," yet since the mercies of God belong to the saints AS SAINTS, and not as
advanced saints, or well-taught saints, we may put in our plea, and say, "Are
they Israelites? so am I; therefore the promises are mine, grace is mine, glory
will be mine." The claim, rightfully made, is one which will yield untold
comfort. When God's people are rejoicing that they are His, what a happiness if
they can say, "So AM I!" When they speak of being pardoned, and justified, and
accepted in the Beloved, how joyful to respond, "Through the grace of God, SO AM
I." But this claim not only has its enjoyments and privileges, but also its
conditions and duties. We must share with God's people in cloud as well as in
sunshine. When we hear them spoken of with contempt and ridicule for being
Christians, we must come boldly forward and say, "So am I." When we see them
working for Christ, giving their time, their talent, their whole heart to Jesus,
we must be able to say, "So do I." O let us prove our gratitude by our devotion,
and live as those who, having claimed a privilege, are willing to take the
responsibility connected with it.