The Sacred Import of the Christian Name # 6

The Sacred Import of the Christian Name # 6

In regard to Himself - He was patient and resigned - and yet undaunted and brave under sufferings. He had all His appetites and passions under proper government. He was heavenly-minded, above this world in heart - while He dwelt in it.

This is an imperfect sketch of His amiable character; and in these things every one who deserves to be called after His name, does in some measure resemble and imitate Him. This is not only His earnest endeavor - but what he actually attains, though in a much inferior degree; and his imperfections are the grief of his heart.

This resemblance and imitation of Christ is essential to the very being of a Christian, and without it, all profession is a vain pretense!

Does your Christianity, my friends, stand this test? may one know that you belong to Christ - by your living like Him, and manifesting the same temper and spirit? Does the temper of the divine Master spread through all his family; and do you show that you belong to it by your temper and conduct? Alas! if you must be denominated from hence, would not some of you with more propriety be called Epicureans from Epicurus, the sensual atheistic philosopher; or mammonites from Mammon, the imaginary god of riches; or Bacchanals from Bacchus, the god of wine; rather than Christians from Christ, the most perfect pattern of living holiness and virtue that ever was exhibited in the world!

If you claim the name of Christians, were is that ardent devotion, that affectionate love to God, that zeal for His glory, that alacrity in His service, that resignation to His will, that generous benevolence to mankind, that zeal to promote their best interests, that meekness and forbearance under ill usage, that unwearied activity in doing good to all, that self-denial and heavenly-mindedness which shone so conspicuous in Christ, whose holy name you bear?

Alas! while you are destitute of those graces - and yet wear His name - you only mock it, and turn it into a reproach both to Him and yourselves.

I might add, that the Christian name is not hereditary to you by your natural birth - but you must be born anew by the Spirit to entitle you to this new name.

Every Christian is also a believer; believing in Him whom he calls His only Saviour and Lord.

Every Christian is also a true penitent. Repentance was incompatible with Christ's character, who was perfectly righteous, and had no sin of which to repent. But it is  a proper virtue in a sinner, without which he cannot be a Christian.

On these and several other particulars, I might enlarge - but my time will not allow; I shall therefore conclude with a few practical reflections.

First, You may hence see that the Christian character is the highest, the most excellent and sublime in the world; it includes everything truly great and amiable. The Christian has exalted sentiments of the Supreme Being, just notions of duty, and a proper temper and conduct towards God and man.

A Christian is a devout worshiper of the God of heaven, a cheerful observer of His whole law, and a broken-hearted penitent for his imperfections.

A Christian is a compilation of all the amiable and useful graces and virtues; temperate and sober, just, liberal, compassionate and benevolent, humble, meek, gentle, peaceable, and in all things conscientious.

A Christian is a good parent, a good child, a good master, a good servant, a good husband, a good wife, a faithful friend, an obliging neighbor, a dutiful subject, a good ruler, and an honest citizen. And as far as he is such, so far, and no further - he is a Christian.

And can there be a more amiable and excellent character exhibited to your view? It is an angelic, a divine character. Let it be your glory and you ambition to wear it with a good grace, to wear it so as to adorn it. To acquire the title of kings and princes, is not in your power. To spread your fame as scholars, philosophers, or heroes, may be beyond your reach. But here is a character more excellent, more amiable, more honorable than all these, which it is your business to deserve and maintain.

And blessed be God, this is a dignity which the lowest among you, which beggars and slaves may truly attain to. Let this therefore be an object of universal ambition and pursuit, and let every other name and title be despised in comparison of it. This is the way to rise to true honor in the estimate of God, angels, and holy men. What though the pseudo-Christians of our age and country ridicule you? Let them consider their own absurd conduct and be ashamed. They think it an honor to wear the Christian name - and yet persist in unchristian practices; and who but a fool, with such palpable contradiction, would think so? A beggar who imagines himself a king and trails his rags with majesty, as though they were royal robes - is not so ridiculous as one that will usurp the Christian name without a Christian practice! And yet such 'Christians' are the favorites of the world. To them - to renounce the profession of Christianity is barbarous and profane; but to live according to that profession, and practice Christianity, is preciseness and fanaticism!

Can anything be more preposterous? This is as if one should ridicule learning - and yet glory in the character of a scholar! And are they fit to judge of the wisdom and propriety; or their censures to be regarded - who fall into such an absurdity themselves?

~Samuel Davies~

(continued  with # 7)