Gleanings: What are You?

From: Things New and Old: Volume 17

1 Timothy 1:15 • 3 min. read • grade level: 5

“Curious Questions wisely Answered.”—C. What are you?

S. The chief of sinners, sir. “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” 1 Tim. 1:15¹⁵This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15).

C. But of what denomination are you?

S. I am a Christian, sir. “The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” Acts 11:26²⁶And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. (Acts 11:26).

C. No doubt of that; but I mean, what is your persuasion?

S. “I am persuaded,” sir, “that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom. 8:38, 39³⁸For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, ³⁹Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38‑39).

C. Oh, yes! but what is your hope?

S. “The glorious appearing sir, “of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ,” “who is in me, the hope of glory.” Titus 2:13¹³Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (Titus 2:13); Col. 1:27²⁷To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (Colossians 1:27).

C. In you! How is Christ in you?

S. “By faith,” sir. “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith.” (Eph. 3:17¹⁷That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, (Ephesians 3:17).) And, sir, He and I are one—“He that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.” 1 Cor. 6:17¹⁷But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:17).

C. To what body of Christians do you belong?

S. To the one body, sir; for there is only one body, according to Eph. 4:4⁴There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (Ephesians 4:4), which says, “There is one body.” There are not, therefore, many bodies.

C. Well, what are you a member of?

S. Of that one body, sir. “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” (1 Cor. 12:27²⁷Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. (1 Corinthians 12:27).) I am also a member of Christ, sir—“Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ?” 1 Corinthians 6:15¹⁵Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. (1 Corinthians 6:15).

C. Do let me know something of what you are—what name do you call yourself?

S. “A child of God,” sir, “and joint heir with Christ.” Rom. 8:16, 17¹⁶The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: ¹⁷And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:16‑17).

C. Who orders your mode and plan of worship?

S. The Lord Jesus, sir. “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matt. 18:20²⁰For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20).

C. Tell me, then, what is your creed?

S. The word of God, sir. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16, 17¹⁶All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16‑17).

It may be that the person giving the foregoing answers would be deemed by many a little weak in the intellect, but they are sound answers; and if given in simple faith, in humility of mind, as in the divine presence, they cannot fail to silence all merely curious, and to satisfy all really anxious, inquirers.

God Himself our Comforter.—“Have you never observed, when a little child has been in very deep distress, if a stranger has attempted to compose and comfort him, that all his efforts have only increased the anguish of the child; but that as soon as he has heard his father’s voice, and felt his father’s embrace, his sorrows have been hushed, and a smile of gladness has lighted up his countenance?”

Child of God, your Father will not leave it to strangers to comfort you. He will not suffer a servant’s hand rudely to touch His child. “God himself shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”

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