HE IS NOT ASHAMED TO CALL THEM BRETHREN

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JUNE 11

 

Hebrews 11:2

For both he that sanctifieth and they who are

 sanctified are all of one: for which cause 

he is not ashamed to call them brethren.

 
This truly is wonderful, especially if we consider the amazing contrast between us.
 
This is very great, as it represents his purity and our pollution—

  his wealth, and our poverty—

  his strength and our weakness—

  his happiness and our misery—

  his knowledge and our ignorance—

  his dignity and our degradation—

  his society and our company.
 
But though the contrast is so great he acknowledges us, and

  there is a degree of likeness, we have the same Father, even God; 

  we possess his nature, spirit, and image in a degree; 

  our work and his are the same, to glorify God; 

  our cause and interest are identified with his; 

  our aim and end are one with his; and

   his heaven is to be our eternal home.
 
We are often ashamed of ourselves, and ashamed of one another; 

  the world is ashamed of us, but Jesus never is.
 
He owns us in heaven before his Father, 

  on the throne of judgment by and bye.
 
If Jesus is not ashamed to call us brethren, 

  never let us be ashamed to own each other, 

    though in some things we differ.
 
Jesus owns us all.
 

Lord, what is man’s distinguish’d race,

Whom thou dost for thy brethren own,

Crown’d with a dignity and grace

To brightest Seraphim unknown!

 
James Smith