The Detection!

James Smith

"This is one of them!" Mark 14:69

The disciples were objects of suspicion and dislike; their Master was suffering, and it was intended that they should be with Him. They wished to be unknown — but they could not be hide. Their connection with Jesus was become notorious: and Peter was soon recognized as "one of them."

Real Christianity cannot be hidden. It is association with Jesus . . .
as His disciples — to be taught His doctrines;
as His subjects — to be ruled by His laws;
as His dependants — to be supplied by His bounty.

All of His disciples . . .
believe His testimony;
reverence His authority;
walk by His rules; and
venture in His cause.

As His disciples, they were the objects of general hatred; they were exposed to fiery temptations and cruel persecution. But still, every right-minded Christian would be thankful, when detected as being, "one of them." And there are many who are so; the charge is still applicable to thousands. They are such as . . .
who hear the gospel attentively;
who pray fervently and secretly;
who acquiesce heartily in God's plan of salvation;
who separate decidedly from the world;
and who cleave to the saints affectionately.

Reader, do you know any person who attentively listens to the gospel message; who prays fervently to God, as a God in Christ; who is willing to be saved by grace; who cones out of the world, and feels attached to the saints? "This is one of them!"

He has a right to a place in the church of God;
he has a title to all the great and glorious promises of the gospel;
he is savingly interested in all the blessings of the new and better covenant.

The privileges of such are great, as . . .
peace with God;
access into His presence with confidence;
enjoyment of the friendship of God;
to be the heir of God; and
to be acknowledged as the Lord's at last.

Then their pleasures will be eternal, and their joys unspeakably great! Then it will be the greatest honor to be recognized as, "one of them."

But many try to conceal their connection with Jesus now. They love Him, believe in Him, and walk with Him — in secret; but they determine no one shall know it. They will not make a profession, lest they should turn back; but they will go to Heaven quietly by themselves. This they will find impossible. The savor of their conversation, their preference of spiritual people, and their attachment to the means of grace — will be sure to betray them! And some discerning person will soon say of them, "This is one of them!"

The good tree will bear good fruit — and by its fruit it will be known. The fountain of grace opened in the heart will send forth its streams — and the streams will reveal it. It was said of the Master, "He could not be hidden" — neither can the disciples. For in this the children of God are manifest, that . . .
they love the very name of Jesus;
they cannot bear those that are evil;
they strive for the salvation of others;
they are tenderly attached to all who bear the Savior's image;
they grieve over sin, and
they pant for perfect holiness.

Reader, are you, "one of them?" It is an important question — for the Lord says, He will, "spare them, as a man spares his own son that serves him!" He will "put a difference between the Hebrews and the Egyptians." He will separate them from others, "as a shepherd divides between the sheep and the goats! He will set the one on His right hand and the other on His left!" He will say to the one, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father — inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world!" But He will say to the other, "Depart from me, you who are cursed — into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels! And these shall go away into everlasting punishment — but the righteous into life eternal."

Oh to be, "one of them" then! How blessed, how glorious it will be! But if we are found among them then — we must be now; for now they are collected — and then they will be manifested!