My True Dignity

 

The true dignity of Christ's disciples

• The world may despise and ridicule the Apostles because they care more for works of love and humility than the pursuits of the world. 
• But the Master bids them remember their commission, and not be ashamed.
• They are God's ambassadors, and have no cause to be cast down. 
• "Verily, verily," He declares, "He that receives whomsoever I send receives Me; and he that receives Me receives Him that sent Me.”

The doctrine here laid down is full of encouragement. 

• It ought to cheer and hearten me when I lay myself out to do good, and specially to do good to the fallen and the poor. 
• Work of this kind gets little praise from men, and when I give myself up to it I can often be regarded as a miserable enthusiast, and meet with much opposition.
• Let me however work on, and take comfort in the words of Christ which we are now considering. 

To spend and be spent in trying to do good, makes me far more honorable in the eyes of Jesus than to command armies or amass a fortune. 

• The few who work for God in Christ's way have no cause to be ashamed. 
• So let me not be cast down if the children of the world laugh and sneer and despise me. 
• A day comes when I will hear the words, "Come you blessed child of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you." (Matt. 25:34.)

Adapted Excerpt From

The Gospel of John

J. C. Ryle