2 Corinthians 11:22 (NIV)
22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites?
So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I.
We have here a personal claim, and one that needs proof.
The apostle knew that his claim was indisputable, but there are many
people who have no right to the title yet still claim to belong to the Israel
of God. If we are confidently declaring, "I am also an Israelite,"
let us only say it after we have searched our hearts as in the presence of God.
But if we can give proof that we are following Jesus, if we can say from the
heart, "I trust Him wholly, trust Him only, trust Him simply, trust Him
now, and trust Him ever," then the position that the saints of God hold
also belongs to us.
All their enjoyments are our possessions; we may be the very
least in Israel, "least of all saints," but 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. The
promises are mine, grace is mine, and glory will be mine." The claim,
rightfully made, is one that will yield untold comfort.
When God's people are
rejoicing that they are His, what a happiness to be able to 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." Let us then prove our
gratitude by our devotion and live as those who, having claimed a privilege,
are willing to take the responsibility connected with it.
Thought for today:
Do I demonstrate my “Sunday” life in everything I do or is it just for Sunday?
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