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Return Home PageTHE PURPOSE OF TRIAL.
Paul said, "We glory in tribulation also." How is it possible to have
such an experience? Every true Christian knows something of being resigned
in tribulations. It is thought to be a great triumph of grace if in the
midst of troubles, distress and persecutions one is uncomplaining, submissive
and patient, but to "glory in tribulations," "to take pleasure in infirmities,
in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses,"-- to actually
take pleasure in such things,-- this is an experience that very
few know anything about. Indeed to most it seems an impossible experience.
It seems moreover utterly unreasonable to expect any such thing. How can
a person take pleasure in that which is unpleasant and painful; the thing
is contrary to nature, and indeed seems contrary to common sense?
And yet what shall we do with the numerous scriptures that plainly set
forth this experience, like those I have quoted above, and many others
to the same effect? Such an experience must be possible, for Paul
and Peter and the other apostles and early Christians had it, and speak
of it in the Bible as a thing within the reach of every disciple of the
Lord Jesus. I apprehend that the reason why so few understand this experience
is because they read the word so carelessly, and understand so little about
God's way of life. "MADE PERFECT THROUGH SUFFERING," THROUGH DEATH TO
LIFE, IS GOD'S WAY. The one secret of "glorying in tribulations,"
is to understand THE PURPOSE OF TRAILS. He who has his eye
on the result, when that result is grand and glorious beyond all expression
or comparison, will be of little impact to the means, especially
if he realizes that they are the only possible means, and at the same time
the absolutely certain means to reach the desired end. Herein lies the
whole secret of this wonderful experience; a worldly person
might glory in the severest trials and sufferings if they were absolutely
sure that they would thereby reach some lofty position of honor,
power and wealth; he would not glory in the sufferings for their
own sake, but for the sake of the final outcome. So the Christian can "glory
in tribulations," and "take pleasure in distresses," if he knows that thereby
he is drawing nearer and nearer to the life of God and the kingdom of heaven;
and this is just what the scriptures teach. We will look at a few passages.
Paul says, "We glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation worketh
patience; and patience, experience: and experience, hope: and hope maketh
not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts
by the holy spirit which is given unto us." The whole point in this passage
depends on seeing the force of the word "KNOWING." "We glory in
tribulations, knowing that tribulation worketh patience," etc. Do you know
this? Do you know that our troubles and sorrows and distresses chasten,
refine and sanctify us, and make us "meet for the inheritance of the saints
in light?" (Col. 1: 12). And that this is the only way whereby we
may be made thus meet? Do you desire an abundant entrance into the kingdom?
A seat with Christ on his throne? A share in his reign? A place among the
kings and priests who shall be associated with him in the bright "ages
to come," in ruling and blessing and saving the race? If you are aspiring
to such a lofty and glorious position you must be content to be fitted
for it beforehand, for not otherwise shall you obtain it. The Lord will
have no incompetent ones in his kingdom.
"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation, for when he is tried, [ not
before] he shall receive the crown of life which the Lord hath promised
to them that love him." Our trials are the means whereby we are fitted
for the place God has for us in his kingdom. They give us the necessary
training for our office in that kingdom; without them we would be lacking
"knowledge;" hence they are the price we have to pay for a government position
under the Lord Jesus Christ. "Buy the truth and sell it not," (Prov.
23: 23). If we think we are paying too dear we can "draw back," but such
an one is "not fit for the kingdom." It is the knowledge of this fact,
viz. that every trial properly borne brings us nearer perfection and the
reward of the over comer, that enables the believer, not only to bear them
with patience and resignation, but even to rejoice in them, since we know
that though "for the present they are not joyous but grievous, yet afterward
they yield the peaceable fruits of righteousness." Our God is a reasonable
Being. He says; "Come now let us reason together." He deals with us on
common sense principles. God's way when rightly understood will commend
themselves to our own judgment ( or salvation); his requirements and precepts
are just what we should choose ourselves had we the same knowledge. Hence
when we come to understand his ways, we readily conform to them because
we see that they are best, that this is our "reasonable service." (Rom.
12: 1). Now then in regard to trials, if we can only see and understand
that they are needful for our training to fit us for a glorious and blessed
future, then although we could not rejoice in the trial for its own sake,
we could rejoice in it, yea, we could take pleasure in it, for the sake
of the benefit we were to derive therefrom in the end. Men of the world
act upon this principle. The athlete submits to the most rigid training
and to great self denial for months together, in order that he may gain
the prize in the walking, rowing, or sparring match, or in some other contest
of muscle and brawn. "Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but
we an incorruptible." (1 Cor. 9: 19-27). If God has opened your eyes
to see something of the glories of the coming kingdom, if the veil of sense
has been removed that you have caught a glimpse of the things beyond,--
"the unseen things," and if you understand that the path to those glories
lies through trial, suffering and affliction that you may reap the reward
by and by.
The apostle says, "Our light afflictions, which are but for a moment work
out for us a far more exceeding, and eternal, weight of glory;" and most
people stop here and so lose all the point of the passage; they say, "my
afflictions are not light and momentary; they are heavy and continuous,
far beyond that of other people, and I cannot see how they are of any benefit
to me, nor how I can rejoice in them." Read the next verse and you will
understand how to obtain the experience set forth. "Our light afflictions
which are but for a moment work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal
weight of glory,-- WHILE WE look not at the things that are
seen, but at the things that are not seen; for the things that are seen
are temporal but the things that are not seen are eternal; for we know
that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved we have a building
of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." Afflicted
brother or sister, what are you looking at? Are you looking at yourself
and your trials? Are you looking with envious eyes at your neighbors and
friends whom you think have an easier time than you? Are you looking with
longing eyes at the pleasures and enjoyments, the apparent peace and comfort
of others? Wishing that you might possess the same, and comparing your
hard circumstances with their apparently pleasant ones. While you
look at such things as these you will not find your afflictions light and
momentary, neither will they work out for you the wonderful glory that
Paul speaks of; it is only WHILE you look not at the things
that are seen, but at the things that are not seen; not seen by the natural
eye but apprehended by the eye of faith, (Heb. 11:13-16)--"that your afflictions
become easily bearable and work out for you the far more exceeding and
eternal weight of glory; your afflictions become light and momentary by
comparison with the exceeding glory of the unseen and eternal things; as
the apostle buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if
when ye do well and suffer for it ye take it patiently, this is acceptable
with God. For even hereunto were ye called, because Christ also suffered
for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow his steps." We sometimes
hear persons say when they are suffering from the ill will or unkindness
of others, "if I had done anything to merit such treatment I would not
say anything; but to be accused falsely, and be ill treated when you are
not to blame, is more than I can bear." It is not more than Christ bore,
and he "did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth," and "if any
man hath not the spirit of Christ he is none of his." Sufferings, afflictions,
trials, etc., are a part of the believer's "calling," in this age. Whatever
calling, profession or occupation a man may choose he would of course expect
to pass through a certain process of study, discipline and training to
fit him for that calling; and that preparatory process is a necessary part
of the calling. So it is in "the High Calling of God in Christ Jesus;"
the process by which we are prepared for the high position of kings and
priests in the kingdom, is of course a part of the calling. How inconsistent
it would be to pray for an "abundant entrance" into the kingdom and then
draw back from the discipline that alone can fit you for any entrance at
all into the kingdom. With the "hundred fold now in this time," we must
accept the "persecutions," if we would have "aeonial life in the world
to come." (Mark 10:30). Therefore "Beloved, think it not strange concerning
the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened
unto you, [rather take it as a matter of course, an expected part of your
training] and rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings,
that when his glory shall be revealed ye may be glad also with exceeding
joy; if ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye, for the
spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you." (1 Pet. 4:12-14). "If we
suffer with him we shall also reign with him;" and thus are we "heirs of
God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ, if so be that we suffer with him,
that we may be also glorified together." You desire to be "forever with
the Lord" by and by,-- in the glory; are you unwilling to walk with him
now in the suffering, humiliation and reproach, and thereby "fill up that
which is behind of the afflictions of Christ?" Only as we know now something
of "the fellowship of His sufferings," shall we know by and by "the power
of His resurrection." And what a wonderful privilege it is thus to be permitted
to share with Christ in his sufferings and his glory! "Unto you it is given
in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him but also to suffer
for his sake," (Phil. 1:29), and if we "see our calling," (1 Cor. 1:26)
we shall "rejoice that we are counted worthy to suffer shame for the name
of Christ." (Acts 5: 41). Therefore "My Brethren, count it all joy when
ye fall into divers temptations (trials), KNOWING THIS, that the
trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have its perfect
work that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." (Jas. 1: 2-4).
Here again the whole force of the passage depends on the word "knowing;"
if you know the truth set forth in the latter part of the passage you will
have no difficulty about the experience of the first part. You can count
your trials "all joy," if you only know that thereby you are being continually
advanced toward that condition where you will be "perfect and entire wanting
nothing;" if you do not know this great truth, the idea of counting trials
"all joy" will seem impossible and even foolish to you; in other words
if we understand the purpose of trials, we shall not only be resigned to
them, but we can glory in them, yea "take pleasure" in them,-- "in infirmities,
reproaches, necessities, persecutions, distresses, for Christ's sake, that
the power of Christ may rest upon us." The hardest trials we have to bear
are injustice, misrepresentation, slander, false accusation, but this is
just what we need to perfect our patience, and fit us for a place in the
coming kingdom. The Lord's "jewels" (Mal. 3:17) need cutting, grinding
and polishing, before they shall be fit to be set in his "crown of rejoicing,"
but the severer the process the more brilliant will be the finished gem,
and the more perfectly will it be able to flash forth the reflection of
the glories of the great Artificer. Hence the believer, fortified with
this knowledge of the purpose of evil, can "smile at the storm," knowing
that, let it blow never so hard and so angry, the gale can only "drive
them nearer home."
Perhaps someone is ready to ask at this point, "Is not the believer ever
to be sad and sorrowful? Should he always be full of joy and mirth no matter
what comes?" Surely the child of God is sad and sorrowful oftentimes; frequently
there is but very little mirth in his heart, and yet he may rejoice even
while he weeps. Did you never read Paul's Paradoxes? "In all things
approving ourselves as the ministers of God . . . by honor and dishonor,
by evil report and good report, as deceivers and yet true, as unknown and
yet well known, as dying and behold we live, as chastened and not killed,
as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having
nothing and yet possessing all things." (2 Cor.6: 4-10). Oh wonderful and
blessed experience of life in death, joy in sorrow, riches in poverty,
"all things" in "nothing!" Foolishness to the natural man,
but luminous with glory "to him that is spiritual!" But, alas, how
few there are who know anything about this experience! God's professed
people "love this present world" (2 Tim. 4:10), so well that they do not
know enough even to be resigned in trials, much less to glory in
them. "When the Son of man cometh shall he find faith on the earth?" There
is plenty of the spurious article, but where is the genuine? Oh that you
and I, friend reader, may be among the few who shall possess that clearness
of spiritual insight, and audacity of faith, that shall enable us to "glory
in tribulation," to "take pleasure in infirmities," and to "rejoice and
leap for joy" even, on account of those things that the world would reckon
among the worst calamities. "What! Shall we receive good at the hand
of God, and shall we not receive evil ?" (Job 2:10). He is equally the
Creator of both, and both shall equally "work together for good to them
that love God." Therefore, "O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest,
and not comforted " (Isa. 54: 11) triumph over your trials and afflictions
by this knowledge of their purpose, for the Lord hath said, "No I will
never leave thee; no, no, I will not forsake thee." (Heb. 13: 5; see Emphatic
Diaglott).
In a fashionable gathering a young man who affected infidelity heard that a lady of note, then present, professed to believe the Bible; finding her out in the company he made bold to ask if it were true that she believed the Bible. "Yes, sir, I do most certainly," replied the lady decidedly. "Why do you believe it?" still further queried the skeptic. "Because I am acquainted with the Author," was the quick reply, that effectually put a stop to all further questioning. "Thus saith the Lord, let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches; but let him that glorieth in this, that he understandeth and knoweth, ME, that I am the Lord who exerciseth loving kindness, judgment and righteousness in the earth; for in these things I delight, saith the Lord." Jer.9: 23, 24.
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