1 Corinthians 3:23

DISCOURSE: 1950
BELIEVERS ARE CHRIST’S PROPERTY

1 Corinthians 3:23. Ye are Christ’s.

TRUE Christians, however poor in this world, are indeed the richest people in the universe. There is not any thing of which they have not the best use and enjoyment. All things temporal, spiritual, and eternal, belong to them: yet they are not so rich in the property they possess, as they are in being themselves the property of another. The Apostle is enumerating in a climax the privileges of Christians; and having said that all things are theirs, he adds, as a more exalted privilege, that they are Christ’s. To elucidate this truth, we shall consider,

I. Whose we were—

The whole creation properly belongs to God; but mankind have alienated themselves from him: nor, whatever difference may have been made between us and others by the grace of God, is there any difference between us by nature. As long as we continue unregenerate we belong,

1. To ourselves—

[The natural man disclaims God’s authority over him, and thinks himself at liberty to live to himself. This was once the state even of the Apostles themselves [Note: Titus 3:3.]: nor is there one amongst us who was not once a rebel like unto them. Our understanding, will, and affections, we used as altogether our own. The members of our bodies too we employed wholly in our own service: even in our religious actions we regarded self rather than God [Note: Zechariah 7:6.]. With respect to all our talents of time, money, influence, &c. we said, “They are our own, who is Lord over us [Note: Psalms 12:4.]?”]

2. To the world—

[The world has an entire ascendency over us by nature. We adopt its maxims, follow its fashions, and obey its dictates: the pleasures, riches, and honours of it are the idols which we worship. What more can be wanting to constitute us its vassals [Note: Romans 6:16.]? Our Lord himself declares, that all such persons are, not merely the friends, but the property, of the world [Note: John 15:19.]

3. To Satan—

[Satan rules in all the children of disobedience [Note: Ephesians 2:2.]; he leads them captive at his will [Note: 2 Timothy 2:26.]. Hence he is called the god of this world [Note: 2 Corinthians 4:4.]: and who amongst us has not fulfilled his will? This then manifests us to have been his children [Note: 1 John 3:8; 1 John 3:10.]; and, if we be not converted by divine grace, it may still be said to us, as it was to the Jews of old, “Ye are of your father, the devil [Note: John 8:44.].”]

By conversion, however, we are brought back to our rightful Owner,

II.

Whose we are—

Christ is the heir and sovereign Lord of all things. Both men and devils are subject to his controul; but believers are his in a more peculiar manner. They are his people [Note: Titus 2:14.], his bride [Note: Revelation 21:9.], his very members [Note: Ephesians 5:30.]—

1. By donation from the Father—

[The Father, from eternity, chose a people for himself [Note: Ephesians 1:4.]. These he gave to Christ to be redeemed by him [Note: John 17:6.]; and secured them to him by an everlasting covenant [Note: Psalms 89:34.]. To his eternal purpose we must trace the distinction made between them and others [Note: 2 Timothy 1:9.], and ascribe all our salvation to him alone [Note: 1 Corinthians 15:10.]

2. By his own purchase—

[Though salvation is freely given to us, it was purchased for us at a most invaluable price. Christ gave his own life a ransom for us: the price he paid was no less than his own blood [Note: 1 Peter 1:19.]. This is the great subject of praise in heaven [Note: Revelation 5:9.]: nor should it ever be forgotten by us on earth.]

3. By the drawings of the Holy Spirit—

[No man, of himself, would go to Christ for salvation: all who are his, are drawn to him by the Spirit [Note: John 6:44.]. It is the Spirit who quickens and renews our souls: to him alone must we ascribe the power and the glory [Note: Zechariah 4:6.]

4. By their own voluntary surrender—

[All Christ’s people are made willing to be his [Note: Psalms 110:3.]: they willingly renew their baptismal covenant, and give themselves up to him at his holy table. This they consider as their reasonable service [Note: Romans 12:1]: yea, they rejoice in it as their highest privilege. This is the peculiar character of all true Christians [Note: Jeremiah 50:5.]

Learn hence,
1.

What an exalted character the Christian is—

[He is Christ’s, he is Christ’s property, and “purchased possession.” He is so united to Christ, as to be even “a member of his body [Note: Ephesians 5:30.]:” yea, he is so entirely one with Christ as to be “one spirit with him [Note: 1 Corinthians 6:17.].” Amazing! one would be almost ready to account this blasphemy. But it is altogether the very truth of God. Compare him, in this view, with what he was: how marvellously changed! There are changes in the natural world, which are truly wonderful; from an acorn to an oak; from a chrysalis, immured in its cell, to a butterfly, with all its gaudy plumage: but the Christian far surpasses them: for they had in their very nature the elements of what they afterwards display: whereas the Christian had the very reverse; a carnal and earthly nature, which is changed into one that is heavenly and divine. Methinks, scarcely would Beelzebub himself, if restored to his former state, be a greater monument of grace than he. Brethren, I charge you to keep this in mind. And, if any imagine that such a reflection will generate pride, tell them, that what you was is all that you can call yours; and that what you are, is the gift of sovereign grace, to the praise and glory of God alone.]

2. What inestimable privileges he possesses—

[Is he Christ’s? Then Christ acknowledges him as his, and fixes his eye upon him for good, and orders every thing for his eternal welfare. Yes, the Lord Jesus “keeps him even as the apple of his eye,” and will suffer neither men nor devils “to pluck him out of his hand.” To the Christian the Saviour looks as to the brightest jewel in his crown, and as a trophy, in whom he will to all eternity be glorified. It was in reference to him that the Saviour, in his last, his intercessory, prayer, said, “Father, I will that they whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me [Note: John 17:24.]:” and never will he cease to watch over every one of them, till that prayer is answered, and they are enthroned with him in glory, at the right hand of God.]

3. How plain and obvious is his duty—

[Are you Christ’s? Then for him you must live; and every faculty you possess, whether of soul or body, must be improved for him. Your whole life must be a comment on those words of the Psalmist, “Depart from me, ye wicked; I will keep the commandments of my God.” Having obtained this stupendous, this inconceivably exalted honour, you must “walk worthy of your high calling;” or, rather I should say, of Him who hath called you, yea, “worthy of the Lord himself unto all pleasing.” There should be no bounds to your desire after holiness, no limit to your efforts. You should desire to be “pure as Christ himself is pure,” and “holy as your Father which is in heaven is holy.” This is what the Lord Jesus expects at your hands [Note: Titus 2:14.], and what your relation to him imperatively demands. Seeing that “you are not your own, but bought with a price, it is your bounden duty to glorify him with your body and your spirit which are his [Note: 1 Corinthians 6:20.].”]