Paul wished to be just like his Saviour. He felt that it was an honor to live as he did; to evince the spirit that he did, and to suffer in the same manner. All that Christ did and suffered was glorious in his view, and he wished in all things to resemble him. He did not desire merely to share his honors and triumphs in heaven, but, regarding his whole work as glorious, he wished to be wholly conformed to that, and, as far as possible, to be just like Christ. Many are willing to reign with Christ, but they would not be willing to suffer with him; many would be willing to wear a crown of glory like him, but not the crown of thorns; many would be willing to put on the robes of splendor which will be worn in heaven, but not the scarlet robe of contempt and mockery (PHILIPPIANS 3).
They would desire to share the glories and triumphs of redemption, but not its poverty, contempt, and persecution. This was not the feeling of Paul. He wished in all things to be just like Christ, and hence he counted it an honor to be permitted to suffer as he did. So Peter says, "Rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings;" 1 Peter 4:13. So Paul says COLOSSIANS 1:24 that he rejoiced in his sufferings in behalf of his brethren, and desired "to fill up that which was behind, of the afflictions of Christ," or that in which he had hitherto come short of the afflictions which Christ endured. The idea is, that it is an honor to suffer as Christ suffered; and that the true Christian will esteem it a privilege to be made just like him, not only in glory, but in trial. To do this, is one evidence of piety; and we may ask ourselves, therefore, whether these are the feelings of our hearts. Are we seeking merely the honors of heaven, or should we esteem it a privilege to be reproached and reviled as Christ was - to have our names cast out as his was - to be made the object of sport and derision as he was - and to be held up to the contempt of a world as he was? If so, it is an evidence that we love him; if not so, and we are merely seeking the crown of glory, we should doubt whether we have ever known anything of the nature of true religion.
See, THIS IS an important eye opening message; there are PLENTY of people who want the GLORY OF HEAVEN, but are UNWILLING to bear ANY test, trial, or tribulation FOR it! And this ever goes back to the problem of being taught that HE died for our sins, and it is done, which IS true, but which is only the foundation on which HIS CHURCH is laid, and is being built upon, in which EACH member HAS been given gifts, talents, and other means to FULFILL, and EXHIBIT their being IN HIM, and OF HIM...
We are to leave ourselves behind, and pick up our daily cross, and FOLLOW HIM (MATTHEW 16); in this, there WILL be sufferings; the world is NOT receptive of HIM, nor HIS people, for one thing, thus, many matters arise as we do what HE would have us do! The world despises anyone who has the audacity to shun the usual of the day; they find it utterly absurd, and are convinced that we must be short a few screws! There is a resentment towards those who are strong enough to resist the temptations, urges, passions, and desires which most are lost in! These don't LIKE it, as they find it peculiar, but hey, HIS people ARE a peculiar people!!!
CHRIST JESUS teaches us to ENDURE and to PERSEVERE, even though it might be the most laborious effort to date! Suffering is complex, and widespread; it is ever with us, and always giving us more, as HIS enemy(ies), and ours, IS hell bent on keeping us FROM HIM, and THE KINGDOM; therefore, we HAVE LOTS to learn, and to improve upon, because times WILL get even worse than we could imagine, and NO ONE knows when the last days will appear to shake as many as are NOT anchored TO HIM, loose!!!
I am reminded to run the race according TO HIS WILL, as the crown of LIFE IS that which I long for! I am controlling myself, as well as studying, and practicing to the best of my ability, and understanding, THAT I am not tripped up in my humanness; after all, I am now OF THE SPIRIT, NOT of the flesh (GALATIANS 5)! It is NEVER easy, and MANY will try to convince you that it is wrong to ever be conscious of growing INTO HIM, but I heed ONLY HIM, as hard as that IS to do, as ONLY HE CAN, and WILL LEAD me past this world TO my HOME! This is another aspect of suffering IN HIS NAME, you see. One CAN have good times as HIS Child, but it is usually different than those of the world, and certainly, less endangering to the being, and soul...
ONLY those who have died to the world can RELATE to suffering as HE did, and find strength enough to move ever forward on THE PATH TO LIFE which IS hidden IN HIM! We WILL struggle, no doubt, though IF we REMAIN IN HIM, HE WILL REMAIN IN us, and GUIDE us every step of THE WAY!!!
As Christians are freed from the ceremonial law, they must walk the more closely with God in gospel obedience. As heaven and earth are contrary one to the other, both cannot be followed together; and affection to the one will weaken and abate affection to the other. Those that are born again are dead to sin, because its dominion is broken, its power gradually subdued by the operation of grace, and it shall at length be extinguished by the perfection of glory. To be dead, then, means this, that those who have the Holy Spirit, mortifying within them the lusts of the flesh, are able to despise earthly things, and to desire those that are heavenly. Christ is, at present, one whom we have not seen; but our comfort is, that our life is safe with him. The streams of this living water flow into the soul by the influences of the Holy Spirit, through faith. Christ lives in the believer by his Spirit, and the believer lives to him in all he does. At the second coming of Christ, there will be a general assembling of all the redeemed; and those whose life is now hid with Christ, shall then appear with him in his glory. Do we look for such happiness, and should we not set our affections upon that world, and live above this? (COLOSSIANS 3)...
In this very troubled world, especially in this time, we are suffering, and hopefully, learning! If it be our care to act under the guidance and power of the blessed Spirit, though we may not be freed from the stirrings and oppositions of the corrupt nature which remains in us, it shall not have dominion over us. Believers are engaged in a conflict, in which they earnestly desire that grace may obtain full and speedy victory. And those who desire thus to give themselves up to be led by the Holy Spirit, are not under the law as a covenant of works, nor exposed to its awful curse. Their hatred of sin, and desires after holiness, show that they have a part in the salvation of the gospel. The works of the flesh are many and manifest. And these sins will shut men out of heaven. Yet what numbers, calling themselves Christians, live in these, and say they hope for heaven! The fruits of the Spirit, or of the renewed nature, which we are to do, are named. And as the apostle had chiefly named works of the flesh, not only hurtful to men themselves, but tending to make them so to one another, so here he chiefly notices the fruits of the Spirit, which tend to make Christians agreeable one to another, as well as to make them happy. The fruits of the Spirit plainly show, that such are led by the Spirit. By describing the works of the flesh and fruits of the Spirit, we are told what to avoid and oppose, and what we are to cherish and cultivate; and this is the sincere care and endeavour of all real Christians. Sin does not now reign in their mortal bodies, so that they obey it, ROMANS 6:12, for they seek to destroy it. Christ never will own those who yield themselves up to be the servants of sin. And it is not enough that we cease to do evil, but we must learn to do well. Our conversation will always be answerable to the principle which guides and governs us, ROMANS 8:5. We must set ourselves in earnest to mortify the deeds of the body, and to walk in newness of life. Not being desirous of vain-glory, or unduly wishing for the esteem and applause of men, not provoking or envying one another, but seeking to bring forth more abundantly those good fruits, which are, through Jesus Christ, to the praise and glory of God.
The world is NOT for us to be lost in, it is a PATH TO OUR REALITY, and TRUTH, as Children of THE LORD *GOD* ALMIGHTY, on which we are EVER being tested, and tried. A great many go off course as THE PATH IS difficult, and the fun which they were reared in, isn't part of the trek, so they, through the urge of those of the world, temptation, and discouragement, wander off, and some get lost permanently! You KNOW when THE HOLY SPIRIT IS LEADING you, because it becomes less difficult TO FOLLOW CHRIST JESUS, and HONOUR HIM as forward IN HIM, you go, considering it all JOY (JAMES 1)!
Christianity teaches men to be joyful under troubles: such exercises are sent from God's love; and trials in the way of duty will brighten our graces now, and our crown at last. Let us take care, in times of trial, that patience, and not passion, is set to work in us: whatever is said or done, let patience have the saying and doing of it. When the work of patience is complete, it will furnish all that is necessary for our Christian race and warfare. We should not pray so much for the removal of affliction, as for wisdom to make a right use of it. And who does not want wisdom to guide him under trials, both in regulating his own spirit, and in managing his affairs? Here is something in answer to every discouraging turn of the mind, when we go to God under a sense of our own weakness and folly. If, after all, any should say, This may be the case with some, but I fear I shall not succeed, the promise is, To any that asketh, it shall be given. A mind that has single and prevailing regard to its spiritual and eternal interest, and that keeps steady in its purposes for God, will grow wise by afflictions, will continue fervent in devotion, and rise above trials and oppositions. When our faith and spirits rise and fall with second causes, there will be unsteadiness in our words and actions. This may not always expose men to contempt in the world, but such ways cannot please God. No condition of life is such as to hinder rejoicing in God. Those of low degree may rejoice, if they are exalted to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom of God; and the rich may rejoice in humbling providences, that lead to a humble and lowly disposition of mind. Worldly wealth is a withering thing. Then, let him that is rich rejoice in the grace of God, which makes and keeps him humble; and in the trials and exercises which teach him to seek happiness in and from God, not from perishing enjoyments....
LWINSOR © 2021
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
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