PERFECTION THROUGH SUFFERING.
By W. N. Glenn
THERE is no lesson in the Christian school so hard to learn as this. There is no condition in the plan of salvation that the Christian is so loth to accept as that of suffering in order to be made perfect. We are very apt to complain loudly when we suffer in consequence of our own folly, and murmuring because of inconveniences, or losses, or persecutions, for the truth's sake, is quite common. One loses a lucrative position, another loses caste in some social circle, another brooks the alternative of a divided family, another the persecution of friends and relatives, another is chafed with the chains of some slavish habit, another has sacrificed some favorite amusement, another in the warm zeal of first love has given largely of his means to the Lord's cause. An evil day comes unawares, the careless or self-sufficient soul has unwittingly allowed its hold on Heaven to slacken. Temptations arise, and there is not faith to overcome; the eye is lured backward and bewildered with the elements of the world. Then the complaints arise, and each one imagines he has paid a terrible price for the little hope he enjoys. He broods over it, and wonders why he should suffer more than any one else. There is nothing that so begets leanness of soul as this brooding over and conversing about what we have sacrificed by trying to serve the Lord. It is not only a positive check to spiritual growth, and a backward tendency toward the old thraldom of sin, but it is the height of ingratitude and lack of appreciation of the gift of God. Christians all pray for and look forward to a "perfect day." We know and acknowledge that we must form perfect characters in order to stand before the law of God in the Judgment. But have we considered that the only road to perfection lies through suffering? This is undoubtedly what the Scriptures teach. Nor was our Master an exception to the rule; no indeed, but his example is laid down in all things as the rule. "The disciple is not greater than his Lord." Read how Paul expresses it in Heb. 2:10: "For it became him for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through suffering." And in the 5th chapter and 8th verse: "Though he were a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered." Now what Christian, in these last days, will object to learning in the same school in which his Master learned so perfectly? But the Lord never once murmured or complained on account of his sufferings and trials. Of the followers of Jesus, perhaps none suffered more than did the Apostle Paul himself, and his testimony is therefore the more valuable. To the Romans he could write: "We glory in tribulations, also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience." And in like manner he could rejoice in his sufferings for the Colossians. Also in 2 Cor. 12:7-10, he writes: "And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then am I strong." Here we have a demonstration of the practical utility of suffering—to keep us from being exalted over our many Christian privileges. The same apostle writes to the Philippians, "If I be offered (Greek, poured forth) upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy and rejoice with me." We will now hear James' testimony. In the 1st chapter, verses 2-4, we read: "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." And in the 12th verse: "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." And now comes Peter's testimony, "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye; and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit." 1 Peter 3:12-18. We have also the experience of Peter, and some of the other apostles, given in Acts, 5th chapter. After being put in prison, the angel of the Lord released them and told them to go and preach in the temple. For this they were again arrested, and taken before the council, which decided that they should be beaten and set free. "And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name." There is, however, no more comforting assurance on this question than the words of Jesus, Matt. 5:11, 12: "Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." When we turn to the 12th chapter of Hebrews77we find that suffering, or chastening, which implies suffering, is utterly indispensable in the endeavor to obtain eternal life. "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons." Verses 6-8. It would seem that all this testimony could not fail to impress the mind with the importance of suffering as a means of bringing the disciple of Christ safely and surely on through humility and patience to perfection. And the example and words of the Master and his apostles, ought to be sufficient to dispel all murmuring and beget rejoicing when on account of the truth we are accounted worthy to suffer.