Suffering with Christ by H. F. Phelps

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 23, 1874

Suffering with Christ.

By H. F. Phelps

“BELOVED, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you; but 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.” 1 Pet. 4:12, 13.

There are several things in this passage of the divine word that we would do well to consider. Peter’s address is to the “beloved” children of God, and to them he is talking. Therefore if we are the children of God, his testimony is to us. He also speaks about “the fiery trial.” I know we are inclined to shrink from trials, and when it comes to “fiery trials,” we would be very generous, and apply them all to ages past, and throw ourselves into a position to escape these trials, thinking that we do not need them. And some in doing this even sacrifice principle, and throw away truth, run around duty, shun the cross, and even imbibe the fatal error of trying to make themselves believe they can be saved while neglecting duty, or even living in open violation of the law of the Most High, who has told us that he cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance or approbation.

What are trials for? This writer in the first chapter, talking to the elect of God and strangers scattered in different parts of the world, in verse 7 says, “That the trial of your faith, being more precious than of gold that perisheth though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” Now gold is a precious metal, and it must be purified and melted by fire to cleanse it from dross. But notwithstanding its value, it perishes. But the trial of our faith, though it be tried with fire, is more precious, and if we endure these trials, it will stand the test in the day of the Lord Jesus.

James, another apostle, speaking upon this point, says, chap. 1:3, “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” Then let trials come, if I can only obtain patience thereby. For in 2 Pet. 1:5, 6, we learn that patience is one of the Christian graces. He says, “And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” So we see that patience is one of those graces that make the Christian fruitful; and if patience comes by trials, then I say again, Let them come. These trials are sent upon us because we need them. If we are to be placed in the building of God, we must be tried to see if we are of good material. A wise master-builder would never put anything into his house without first trying it. A wise ship-master will never load his vessel with human lives or precious goods, till he first gives his vessel a trial trip, loaded with worthless material, and if he gets into a severe storm, all the better. When sufficiently tried, the vessel is put to service.

So it is with the Christian. We need not expect to get into the kingdom of God only by and through trials. “They that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” “It is through much tribulation that we are to enter into the kingdom of God.”

Do we murmur or complain under our trials? Says our text, “Rejoice.” But how can I rejoice? My trials are greater than I can bear, says one. But let me ask why it is that some people think so. Is it not because of selfishness? Does not self stand in the way? Do you ever think of others? Do you ever try to realize the woes of others? Did you ever try to get outside of your own dear self, to see what others suffer?

Now look here. Yonder comes Bro. A. I always dread to meet the man. He always has the blues; you can see it in his very walk. He never has a word of good cheer. He is always in trouble, and never seems to be at a loss to find some of his troubles with which to fill your ears. You may listen patiently. He thinks you are becoming interested, and he will talk all the faster. You begin to try to draw his mind away from his own dear, miserable self, and he can take no stock in such talk. He is never pleased only as he is talking of self.

Now are such people Christians? I fail to see it, and I may as well speak the truth. I see no chance for the salvation of such unless they reform. “Rejoice,” says our text. And James says, chap. 1:2: “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.” And the apostles who were beaten before the Jewish council, departed, rejoicing that they were accounted worthy to suffer shame for His name’s sake. Says Paul, who endured so much for the gospel, “We glory in tribulation.” Further he says, “I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake;” and he adds, “For when I am weak, then am I strong.” When trials and temptations come, we learn our own weakness, and then we may be strong in God.

Our text further suggests that in trials we become “partakers of Christ’s sufferings.” The sufferings of Christ were for sins; not his, but ours; 1 Pet. 3:18; and as Christ has suffered for us, we should be willing to suffer also. “Arm yourselves likewise with the same mind,” says Peter, in chap. 4:1. And if He who knew no sin was made sin for us, can we reasonably expect to be partakers of his glory except we share in the suffering, and suffer patiently?

In Rom. 8:17, we learn that we may become joint heirs with Christ, and may be glorified together with him, if we suffer with him. And again, in 2 Cor. 1:7, “That as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.” In the same proportion, then, may we be partakers of the consolation as we endure the sufferings. In Phil. 3:10, 11, Paul seemed to desire the fellowship of his sufferings, that is, to become a partner of his sufferings, if by any means he might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Read Col. 1:24. And we see there is something left behind of the sufferings of Christ which we are to fill up. In 2 Tim. 2:12, we read: “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him.” Oh! then, may we ever be willing to suffer for his name’s sake. If we rejoice now in sufferings, we may be exceeding joyful by-and-by.

Those who choose the pleasures of this world may rejoice here; but the period of their rejoicing will soon close. Not so with the saints of God. They will endure sufferings with their blessed Lord here, and will count it joy; and when the glory of Christ is revealed, they with joy exceeding will be partakers of his glory to all eternity. Then let us not try to shun sufferings for his sake; for if we be reproached for his sake, happy are we. Who would not desire to be a partaker of the sufferings of Christ? H. F. PHELPS. Maiden Rock, Wis.