"Consider Him That Endured."
By W. N. Glenn
THE apostle Paul emphatically declares that "all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." 2 Tim. 3: 12. It is a fair conclusion, then, that the so-called "Christianity" which is popular and worldly is not of the "godly" sort. And it is reasonable to suppose that, without some encouraging incentive, the weakness of humanity would weary of the continual opposition of the adversary in his various modes of attack upon those who live godly. The apostle realized this danger in his own experience, as "bonds and afflictions" awaited him "in every city," and aptly suggests a preventive, in his letter to the Hebrews: "Consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." Chap 12: 3. The Bible abounds in wholesome remedies and preventives; but there could not be a more effectual safeguard against weariness in the strife with the powers of darkness, than a prayerful consideration of him who endured so much in our behalf. Are you beset with temptations on every hand? do not yield to discouragement, but consider the Master. "He was in all points tempted like as we are," yet he overcame every temptation. It is worthy of notice that immediately after he had publicly taken his stand for the defense of the truth, and had been baptized, the tempter came upon him with all his power. Consider this, for all who will follow his example may expect a like experience. There is no sin in being tempted, if one does not unnecessarily place himself in the way of temptation; the evil lies in yielding to it. "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience." Jas. 1: 2, 3. Consider also the Master's mode of meeting temptation. He silenced the adversary with the words of Scripture, and turned his back upon him. Mark it, Satan cannot tempt any one whose back is toward his enchantments; his arts are powerless without the attention of his intended victim. Hence the appropriateness of the psalmist's prayer, "Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity." Ps. 119: 37. If opposed and persecuted by family and friends "consider him." Probably, no one ever had a kinder regard for his family than the Saviour, and it must have been a severe trial when his brethren could witness the wonderful works which he did and then declare that "he is beside himself." But he was not thereby deterred from his work. He knew what awaited himself and those who should follow him; and he afterward taught his disciples concerning the future: "The brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child; and the children shall rise up against the parents, and cause them to be put to death." Matt. 10: 21. But this dark prospect loses much of its terror when we contemplate that "the disciple is not above his Master, nor the servant above his Lord; it is enough for the disciple that he be as his Master, and the servant as his Lord." Matt. 10: 24, 25. If afflictions come, "consider him." He not only suffered the death of the cross, but he endured being "forsaken" by his Father in his dying hour. And all this because he bore the sins of the world. "He was wounded for our transgressions," and "with his stripes we are healed." Consider his patience. "He was oppressed and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth." "When he was reviled, he reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself [margin, his cause] to him that judgeth righteously." Consider also this condition of final adoption: "Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. . . . But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons." Heb. 12: 6, 8. For this reason, the apostle exhorts us not to despise the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when rebuked of him. If any deem it a hard requirement to keep the commandments, consider the example of the great Teacher. His life was consistent throughout; he taught nothing that he did not practice. His precept was, "If ye will enter into life, keep the commandments;" and he testified, "I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love." If any think it hard to keep the Sabbath in a community where the multitude reject it, "consider him." He was faithful to its sacredness, doing only that which was lawful, while in the midst of hypocritical rulers who impugned his motives on every hand. Professing to obey the law, they continually made it void by their traditions, and persecuted him because he did not do as they did. No disciple ever had a harder experience while faithfully keeping his Father's commandments than the Saviour himself; and the bitterest attacks of the enemy were made because of his lawful observance of the Sabbath, contrary to their traditions. Another point in our Lord's example for us to consider, under any and all circumstances, is, that it was "for the joy set before him" that he "endured the cross, despising the shame." The Christian's reward is future, to be given when the Lord comes in glory (Matt. 25: 31), and only he that "endureth to the end" shall be saved. The "joy set before him" was the redemption of his people, for whom his great love had conceived a plan of salvation at so great a cost. The "good and faithful servant" may enter into the joy of his Lord—the joy of his salvation. There is no condition in the Christian's experience, whether it be temptation, persecution, affliction, or even of ordinary encouragement, but it is profitable to "consider him who endured such contradiction of sinners." In fact, there is no other security than in "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith." If inclined to be "weary and faint" because of the many obstacles thrown in the way by the adversary, consider whether ye have "resisted unto blood, striving against sin." Until we have endured to that extent, we have no reason to complain. But let us remember, in every situation, "if we suffer, we shall also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us."