Christian Privilege and Duty
J. W. Burn. John 17:6-8 I have manifested your name to the men which you gave me out of the world: your they were, and you gave them me… Note — I. THAT CHRISTIANS BELONG TO GOD. "Thine they were." 1. By creative right — as a man has a right to the products of his skill and industry. 2. By sovereign right — as a monarch has a right to the loyalty of his subjects. 3. By Fatherly right — as a parent has a right to the affection and obedience of his children If, then, we belong to God — (1) We belong to One who is wise to guide us, strong to defend us, authoritative to govern us, kind and wealthy to supply all our need. (2) How safe we are! (3) How happy and grateful we should be! II. THAT THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN BY GOD TO CHRIST. 1. In answer to prayer. "Ask of Me and I shall give thee," &c., and as we are given to, so are we kept by Christ in response to prayer (ver. 11). 2. As the purchase of redemption. "We were not redeemed with corruptible things," &c. 3. As the reward of conflict. Slaves of Satan are rescued and transformed into sons of God and joint heirs with Christ by the Saviour's conquering might. Learn, then — (1) How precious we are to Christ. What so precious as a father's gift, a costly purchase, a trophy of fierce conflict? (2) How honoured we are by God! No higher dignity could be conferred upon us than to be given to Christ. (3) How imperative are God's claims! These are not relinquished, but emphasized. "All Mine are Thine." III. THAT CHRIST HAS MANIFESTED TO THEM GOD'S NAME. 1. Literally. The "Father's" name was little more than a sublime guess and a devout hope before Christ came. But He taught His disciples to say "Our Father." 2. Exemplarily. "My name is in Him." "He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father." All the perfections of the Divine character were embodied in Christ. The Father's wisdom in His teaching; the Father's power in His miracles; the Father's love and justice in His death. 3. Experimentally. "To as many as received Him," &c. (Romans 8:15-17; Galatians 4:4-71. This being so — (1) Study the revelation of the Father in Christ's word and life. (2) Live up to your privilege as children of God. IV. THAT THEY KEEP GOD'S WORD. This is their distinguishing characteristic and their imperative duty. It covers everything in Christian practice. He keeps this word — 1. In their minds by understanding and remembering it. 2. In their hearts by loving it. 3. In their lives by practising it. (J. W. Burn.) Parallel Verses KJV: I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. WEB: I revealed your name to the people whom you have given me out of the world. They were yours, and you have given them to me. They have kept your word.