THE BIBLE STANDARD OF PATIENCE.
By Chas. C. Lewis
“For what glory is it, if, when ye be 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.” 1 Pet. 2:20. To carry out the spirit of the above passage requires much of the grace of God. Too few of us put in practice even the first part. When buffeted for our faults, we do not take it patiently; and yet, were we to do so, it would be no glory, for we should receive only what we deserve. Where, then, are the persons who, while conscious of having done the best they could do, bear with patience the buffetings they may receive for having so done? Alas! they are indeed few. There is no point of Christian duty upon which the teachings of Christ and his apostles are plainer than upon this duty of returning good for evil, and love for hatred. It is one of the fundamental principles of the religion of Christ; and he who lacks it, lacks the very corner stone of Christian character. In his sermon on the mount, Christ says: “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you. . . . For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect.” Matt. 5:43–48. Consistency and common sense alike demand that Christians should carry out the above teachings. Suppose an unconverted man should be sharply reproved for his faults; we would hardly expect him to bear it patiently, much less if he be accused wrongfully. He professes nothing better. But the professor of religion says he is converted; he thanks God in the public congregation that religion makes men better; he claims he has found something about which his unconverted neighbor knows nothing, and urges him to seek the Saviour. Then how utterly inconsistent is it for him, when assailed with harsh language, buffeted for his faults, and made to suffer for his good deeds, to return evil for evil, and railing for railing, as did his unconverted neighbor. It is no virtue to love those who love us; nor is it a proof of religion to return kind words for kind words: any unconverted man can do that, indeed, he could hardly help doing it; but to return good for evil, to love them that hate us, to bless them that curse us, and to pray for them that despitefully use us and persecute us,—these are the practical fruits of true religion. My brother, my sister, have you such religion? Do you put in practice the Saviour’s teachings on this point? Can you return good for evil? Or are you standing in the way of sinners? Is your example such as to lead wicked men to say, “I am as good as he”? God help us to come up to the Bible standard. Let us not say it is impossible, it cannot be done. It can be done; nay, it must be accomplished. At least we can keep hard feelings locked within our own bosoms, and daily, yes, hourly, take the matter to God in prayer until we gain the victory. Let us not be discouraged; for the blessed Saviour, “full of pity, love, and power,” stands ready to help us; and his promises are, “As thy days, so shall thy strength be.” “My grace is sufficient for thee.”