Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

June 6– Evening

by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“Are they Israelites? So am I.” 

—2 Corinthians 11:22

The Apostle Paul made a statement and then backed it up with proof. There are many persons who have no right to a title who yet claim it for themselves.

If we claim with confidence, “I too am an Israelite,” let us only say it after having searched our hearts in the presence of God. Can we give proof that we belong to Jesus the Messiah? Can we say from the heart, “I am trusting him wholly, trusting him only, trusting him simply, trusting him now, and trusting him always”? If so, then the position which the saints of God hold belongs to us; all their enjoyments are our possessions. We may be “less than the least of all the saints,” yet, since the mercies of God belong to the saints as saints– and not as advanced saints, or well-taught saints— we may say with the Apostle Paul, “Are they Israelites? So am I.”  Christ’s promises are mine; his grace is mine, and his glory is mine.

The claim to be among God’s people is one that brings great comfort. When God’s people are rejoicing that they are his, how happy we are to say along with them, “So am I !” When they speak of being pardoned, justified, and accepted in Christ, how joyful to respond, “By the grace of God, so am I.”

But this claim not only has its enjoyments and privileges; it also has its conditions and duties. We share with God’s people the clouds as well as the sunshine. When we hear them spoken of with contempt and ridicule, 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 place among God’s people by not only claiming our privilege but by taking up the responsibility connected with it. [M&E]