“Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.“ 1 Peter 4:16
A Christian wears the name, possesses the nature, breathes the spirit, lives the life, and devotes himself entirely to the glory of Jesus. All Christ has is his, all Christ has done was for him, and all Christ has promised he may expect. Are you a Christian? Is the matter doubtful? Does Jesus live in you? Are you living by faith upon Him? Is He your daily bread? Do you find that you could as well live without food, as without Jesus? This is a sure evidence. This is the certain effect of the Spirit’s work. If you are a Christian, you pant, pray, and strive to be Christ-like; to bear about in your body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in your mortal body. You put off the old man which is corrupt, and put on the new man which is created in righteousness and true holiness. You would live in newness of life, as one raised from the dead; exhibiting the effects of His death in deadness to the world, love to immortal souls, bearing testimony to the truth, and looking for, and hastening to, the coming of the day of God. O to be a Christian indeed! (James Smith)
“Father, in me reveal Thy Son,
And in my inmost soul make known
How merciful Thou art:
The secret of Thy love reveal,
Any by Thine hallowing Spirit dwell
For ever in my heart!”
