The Character of the True Christian # 2

The Character of the True Christian # 2 

Who, indeed, can describe the pleasure with which the members of Christ's flock do meet each other face to face? They may have been strangers before; they may have lived apart - but it is wonderful to observe how soon they seem to understand each other, there seems a thorough oneness of opinion, so that a man would think they had known each other for years. They have one Lord, one faith, one baptism; they have the same trials, the same fears, the same doubts, the same temptations, the same faintings of heart, the same dread of sin, the same sense of unworthiness, the same love of their Saviour. Oh - but there is a mystical union between true believers, which they only know who have experiences it; the world cannot understand it - it is all foolishness to them. This union does really exist, and a most blessed thing it is; for it is like a little foretaste of heaven.

The last thing I would remark about sheep is this: they are of all animals most helpless, most ready to stray; and so it is with Christ's people. They are far too ready to turn aside and go in ways that are not good; in vain they are warned and advised to be watchful and take heed to their path; they often get into a drowsy, sleepy frame, and imagine there is no danger, and so they wander down some bypath, and are only wakened by some merciful chastisement or heavy fall. They imagine that they are strong enough to get on without this constant vigilance, and so they take their eye off the Chief Shepherd, and wander on from this field to that, after their own desires, until they find themselves at last in darkness and doubt. And Christ's sheep, too, like other sheep, do seldom return to the fold without some damage and loss, for it is far more easy to get out of the right way when you are in - than to get into it when you are out.

And then, too, like sheep, true Christians are easily frightened. It takes very little to alarm them and make them fearful about their own condition; they are jealous and suspicious of danger from every quarter, and, like creatures who know their own weakness and the number of their enemies, they will often imagine there is something to be feared where no fear really is. But still this godly fear is an eminent sign of Christ's flock - it proves that they feel their own helplessness; and when a man knows nothing of it, and is full of presumptuous confidence, there is but too much reason to suspect he knows little of Christianity as he ought to know it.

Such appear to be the reasons why true believers are compared to sheep. They may not always be discerned in this corrupt and naughty world; you may often see no great difference between them and the unbelievers - but still they have a nature of their own, and sooner or later, if you observe, you will see it. When there comes a temptation, and self-denial is required, immediately the disposition of the heart comes uppermost - the Christian holds on his way, however narrow it may be, the worldly-minded turns down that broad lane which leads to destruction, and the real character of each is revealed. 

2. The second thing to be considered in our text is that word "My." Our Lord does not simply call His people sheep - but He says also "My sheep>" It is as though Jesus would have us understand He looks upon them as His property; they are, as it were, stamped and sealed and marked as the possession of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and it is a blessed, comfortable thought that even as men are careful and tender about their earthly belongings, and will not willingly allow them to be lost and damaged, so is our Lord and Saviour careful of the souls that belong to Him.

But why are Christ's people called Mine, in this particular manner? There are many sufficient reasons. We are "His" by ELECTION. We were chosen and given to Him by the Father before the foundations of the world were laid; our names were written in the covenant of salvation before we were born, we were predestined or fore-ordained to be His people from all eternity. That is a glorious, a soul-comforting doctrine, however some abuse it. The doctrine that we are His by everlasting election, is full of sweet, pleasant and unspeakable consolation.

But again: Christ's people are "His" by PURCHASE. Death and hell had claims upon everyone of them, they had all broken the law and forfeited eternal life - but Christ has redeemed them. Christ paid the heavy price of their salvation, even His own most precious blood, and well may He call them "Mine" for He has bought them off from captivity and satan at the cost of His own life. 

And lastly, Christ's people are "His" by ADOPTION. He has put His Spirit in them, and overturned the power of sin in their hearts. He has given them a child-like frame of mind, so that they cry Abba Father; they are become part of His family, the very sons and daughters of the Almighty; He looks upon them as a portion of Himself, as members of His body and flesh and bones, and loves them and cherishes them accordingly.

3. But I must hasten on to the third point which our text lays down in the character of true believers. "My sheep," says Jesus, "hear My voice."  This hearing of Christ's voice, what is it? It cannot be the mere hearing of the ears, for many do that who die in their sins. It must be the hearing with the heart, the listening with attention; the believing what is heard - the acting manfully on what is believed. And where may Christ's voice be heard? It sometimes whispers in a sinner's conscience. It sometimes speaks solemnly. But it generally is to be heard in the reading of Scripture or the preaching of the Gospel; then the voice of the Lord Jesus may be heard plain and distinct. In all these ways manners the voice of Jesus may be heard.

And here comes the distinction between the converted and the unconverted. Those who are converted hear Christ's voice - but they that are unconverted hear it not. The true sheep of Christ were once foolish and disobedient, serving divers lusts and pleasures, dead in trespasses and sins - but they heard their Redeemer's voice at last, and when they heard they lived; they knew not at first who called them - but they heard a voice they could not disobey, and now they can tell you they are sure it was the Lord's. They listened to His invitation, they confessed their sinners, and in Him they found peace. And now without His voice they will do nothing; His word, His saying, His command, His will is their rule of life - to be taught of Him by His Spirit and His Bible is their hearts' desire and prayer - to hear about Him from His ministers is the food and drink of their souls. The world cannot see that Christ's voice is such a joyful sound; they dislike it - it offends them; to be told they are sinners, and must repent and believe or perish, is a stumbling-block. But Christ's sheep are never offended; they listen diligently to their Shepherd's voice and when they hear Him, they would dare not disregard it!

~J. C. Ryle~

(continued with # 3)