Morning Devotion - You Belong To Christ

And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's. (NKJV) — 1 Corinthians 3:23

“You 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 belong to Christ.” Immortal principles forbid the friend of Christ to sin. When wealth is before you to be won by sin, say that you belong to Christ, and touch it not. Are you exposed to difficulties and dangers? Stand fast in the evil day, remembering that you belong to Christ. 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 belong to Christ. If I were not purchased by blood, I might be like Issachar, crouching between two burdens; but I belong to Christ, and cannot loiter.” 

When the siren song of pleasure would tempt you from the path of right, reply, “Your music cannot charm me because I belong to Christ.” When the cause of God invites you, give your goods and yourself away, for you belong to Christ. Never belie your 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!”

Prayer/Meditation

Loving Father – that I may know Christ and that I may know more of Him and even more. Thank You Lord for Your grace towards me. Thank You that I belong to Christ, in Whose name I pray, AMEN.