Paul’s Sufferings and Christian Perseverance
THE lesson of these experiences of the most active and prominent of all the apostles, is of great value to Christians in these last days. There is a class of professors, and by no means a small class, who make much ado about their trials—what they have had to suffer for the truth’s sake; and some, while claiming to be very zealously inclined, will even express fears that they will have to give up the service in order to make a living. Such should make daily perusal of such scriptures as are here referred to, and remember that Paul called all these bitter experiences but “light afflictions which are but for a moment.” Chap. 4:17. Although “in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness,” he never once contemplated going back. Far from it. On the contrary, he says, “If I must needs glory, I will glory of these things which concern mine infirmities.” Chap. 11:30. WITH the examples of the Saviour, the apostles, and martyrs before us, it is the height of unreasonableness for us to expect that we can bear the same witness against a guilty world and escape the consequences; or that we may bear an unpopular truth in the face of a bigoted church without our portion of persecutions. But who would wish to labor without the legitimate results? Tribulation and suffering is one of the conditions of eternal life. If we suffer with Christ, we shall also reign with him. It was a prominent exhortation of Paul to the churches, that “we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22. BUT let no one suppose that all the suffering is in the ranks of the people of God. The severest famines, the heaviest earthquakes, the most terrible judgments, have been upon those who have rejected the counsel of God or turned themselves unto idols. And in our large cities, those out of employment, or in destitute circumstances, are nearly all people of the world. The servants of Satan are not all living in luxury by any means. “Fear not, little flock;” be faithful and your bread and water shall be sure; and “it is the father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”