A New Year's Guest

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John 1:12-14

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:…

The text in connection with Matthew 25:35. Suggested by the motto on a new year's card.

I. A STRANGER TAKEN IN. House-room is a larger gift than refreshment at the dour. We must not be satisfied with benefactions to His representatives. Notice three strange things.

1. That He was in the world and the Maker of it, and yet a stranger.

(1) When born in the Bethlehem of His father David, there was no room for Him in the inn.

(2) Soon there was no room in the village itself, whence He had to flee into Egypt, a stranger in a strange land.

(3) On His return, there was no room among the mass of the people. Jew and Gentile proved how truly He was a stranger. All this a sadly singular thing; and yet we need not wonder, for how should a wicked and selfish world know Jesus or receive Him.

2. That we should be able to receive the Lord Jesus as a stranger. He has gone to glory, but we can yet receive Him.

(1) By owning Him when and where believers are few and despised.

(2) By showing brotherly kindness to a poor saint.

(3) By holding fast His faithful Word when its doctrines are in ill-repute.

(4) By taking up our cross where Christ's precepts are disregarded, His day forgotten, and His worship neglected.

(5) By receiving the gift of spiritual life. Profession is abundant, but the secret life is rare.

3. That Christ will deign to dwell in our hearts. This is a miracle of grace, yet the manner is simple enough.

(1) A humble, repenting faith opens the door, and Jesus enters.

(2) Love shuts to the door with the hand of penitence, and holy watchfulness keeps out intruders.

(3) Meditation, prayer, praise, and obedience, keep the house in order.

(4) And then follows the consecration of our whole life as His people.

II. THE STRANGER MAKING STRANGERS INTO SONS. The moment Christ enters the heart, we are no more strangers and foreigners, but of the household of God.

1. He adopts us and puts us among the children.

2. The designation of sons brings with it a birth, with the actual condition of sons.

3. Living, loving, lasting union seals our sonship.

4. This union creates in us a likeness to God. A small window will let in the great sun; much more will Jesus let in the life, light, and love of God into our souls, making us like God.

III. HAVING RECEIVED JESUS AS A STRANGER, WE FEEL A TENDERNESS HENCEFORTH TOWARDS ALL STRANGERS; for we see in their condition some resemblance to our own. When Christ is in us, we search out opportunities of bringing prodigals, strangers, and outcasts to the great Father's house.

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