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plans。 Some may hear him mentioned with utter indifference; but our own
hearts bound within us at the very sound of his name。 Well; it is just
so between the true Christian and Christ! The true Christian delights
to hear something about his Master。 He likes those sermons best which
are full of Christ。 He enjoys that society most in which people talk of
the things which are Christ's。 I have read of an old Welsh believer who
used to walk several miles every Sunday to hear an English clergyman
preach; though she did not understand a word of English。 She was asked
why she did so。 She replied that this clergyman named the name of
Christ so often in his sermons that it did her good。 She loved even the
name of her Saviour。
(c) If we love a person; we like to read about him。 What intense
pleasure a letter from an absent husband gives to a wife; or a letter
from an absent son to his mother。 Others may see little worth notice in
the letter。 They can scarcely take the trouble to read it through。 But
those who love the writer see something in the letter which no one else
can。 They carry it about with them as a treasure。 They read it over and
over again。 Well; it is just so between the true Christian and Christ!
The true Christian delights to read the Scriptures; because they tell
him about his beloved Saviour。 It is no wearisome task with him to read
them。 He rarely needs remind ing to take his Bible with him when he
goes a journey。 He cannot be happy without it。 And why is all this? It
is because the Scriptures testify of Him whom his soul loves; even
Christ。
(d) If we love a person; we like to please him。 We are glad to consult
his tastes and opinions; to act upon his advice; and do the things
which he approves。 We even deny ourselves to meet his wishes; abstain
from things which we know he dislikes; and learn things to do which we
are not naturally inclined; because we think it will give him pleasure。
Well; it is just so between the true Christian and Christ! The true
Christian studies to please Him; by being holy both in body and spirit。
Show him anything in his daily practice that Christ hates; and he will
give it up。 Show him anything that Christ delights in; and he will
follow after it。 He does not murmur at Christ's requirements as being
too strict and severe; as the children of the world do。 To him Christ's
mandments are not grievous and Christ's burden is light。 And why is
all this? Simply because he loves Him。
(e) If we love a person; we like his friends。 We are favourably
inclined to them; even before we know them。 We are drawn to them by the
mon tie of mon love to one and the same person。 When we meet them
we do not feel that we are altogether strangers。 There is a bond of
union between us。 They love the person that we love; and that alone is
an introduction。 Well; it is just so between the true Christian and
Christ! The true Christian regards all Christ's friends as his friends;
members of the same body; children of the same family; soldiers in the
same army; travellers to the same home。 When he meets them; he feels as
if he had long known them。 He is more at home with them in a few
minutes than he is with many worldly people after an acquaintance of
several years。 And what is the secret of all this? It is simply
affection to the same Saviour; and love to the same Lord。
(f) If we love a person; we are jealous about his name and honour。 We
do not like to hear him spoken against without speaking up for him and
defending him。 We feel bound to maintain his interests and his
reputation。 We regard the person who treats him ill with almost as much
disfavour as if he had ill…treated us。 Well; it is just so between the
true Christian and Christ。 The true Christian regards with a godly
jealousy all efforts to disparage his Master's word; or name; or
Church; or day。 He will confess Him before princes; if need be; and be
sensitive of the least dishonour put upon Him。 He will not hold his
peace and suffer his Master's cause to be put to shame without
testifying against it。 And why Is all this? Simply because he loves
Him。
(g) If we love a person; we like to talk to him。 We tell him all our
thoughts; and pour out all our heart to him。 We find no difficulty in
discovering subjects of conversation。 However silent and reserved we
may be to others; we find it easy to talk to a much…loved friend。
However often we may meet; we are never at a loss for matter to talk
about。 We have always much to say; much to ask about; much to describe;
much to municate。 Well; it is just so between the true Christian and
Christ! The true Christian finds no difficulty in speaking to his
Saviour。 Every day he has something to tell Him; and he is not happy
unless he tells it。 He speaks to Him in prayer every morning and night。
He tells Him his wants and desires; his feelings and his fears。 He asks
counsel of Him in difficulty。 He asks fort of Him in trouble。 He
cannot help it。 He must converse with his Saviour continually; or he
would faint by the way。 And why is this? Simply because he loves Him。
(h) Finally; if we love a person; we like to be always with him。
Thinking; and hearing; and reading; and occasionally talking are all
well in their way。 But when we really love people we want something
more。 We long to be always in their pany。 We wish to be continually
in their society; and to hold munion with them without interruption
or farewell。 Well; it is just so between the true Christian and Christ。
The heart of a true Christian longs for that blessed day when he will
see his Master face to face; and go out no more。 He longs to have done
with sinning and repenting; and believing; and to begin that endless
life when he shall see as he has been seen; and sin no more。 He has
found it sweet to live by faith; and he feels it will be sweeter still
to live by sight。 He has found it pleasant to hear of Christ; and ta