---

"Ye belong to Christ." These thoughts are suggested by this phrase.

I. PROPRIETORSHIP. There is a sense in which it may be said that all men belong to Christ.

1. This claim to us is based primarily on His Creatorship.

2. All are His by redemption.

3. Baptism is a confirmation of all this.

4. But believers belong to Christ in a more peculiar sense by an act of personal consecration. In the case of many this act of consecration has been repeatedly renewed.

5. Believers are Christ's by adoption. The soul surrendered all its powers to Christ, and He graciously accepted the offering, and smiled upon the oblation.

II. TO BELONG TO CHRIST IMPLIES PRIVILEGE.

1. Special care.

2. Identity of interests. If I am Christ's my joys are His joys, my sorrows are His sorrows.

(1)  Things done against the saints, Christ regards as done against Himself.

(2)  Things done for the saints Christ regards as done to Himself. The act of acing good to you will add to the felicity of the doer forever.

3. Dignity.

III. Belonging to Christ involves RESPONSIBILITY.

1. We are to live for Christ.

2. We are to live like Christ.

3. We are to confess Christ.

(R. Roberts.)

---

---

KJV: For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

WEB: For whoever will give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you are Christ's, most certainly I tell you, he will in no way lose his reward.