Remember Those That Are in Bonds
By F. M. W.
The church of Christ is likened unto the human body. If one member of the body suffers, all the other members suffer with it. To the relief of a diseased arm or foot the resources of the entire body rally. This same sympathetic relationship should exist between the members of the body of Christ. Says the apostle Paul in his letter to the Hebrews: “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.” The heart of the great Father is touched by every experience which befalls his children. He joys in their joys and grieves in their sorrows. The prattle and laugh of children brings delight to the heart of God. The tears and griefs of his children draw his tenderest sympathies. This spirit should possess every member of the church. Particularly should the church of God today remember our European brethren who are now suffering adversity. Some have been forced into active military service; their lives are constantly menaced, and they are exposed to hardship and danger. Families have been broken up. Those left at home are anxious with fear for those who have gone to the front. The officers of some of our conferences and churches have been compelled to forsake their charges and join the national colors. It should be our earnest prayer that God will save his cause of truth during this trying period, and that he will safeguard the lives of his children. As to just what our European brethren should do under these trying circumstances only they alone in prayer to God can decide. Sometimes in our egotism and foolishness we feel that we can determine beforehand just what position we would take in every emergency, but we cannot know what we shall do until we are brought to the supreme test. It is for just such trying experiences as our brethren in Europe are now going through that the Lord gave this word of comfort:— “And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: for the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.” Luke 12:11, 12. The Saviour recognized that his children would be brought many times into straight places. They would not be able to sit down and by any human logic or reasoning determine upon the course they would pursue; but in the time of their need the Holy Spirit would give the right words to say, and wisdom to make the right decision. Let us pray that God may do this for all our brethren who are just now surrounded by special dangers and difficulties. “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.”