DO YOU BELONG TO THEM?
By M. C. White
WE mean that class who have had such “hard times.” None have been so afflicted as they; none so ill; none have suffered so much from reverses of fortune; none have passed through so great difficulties, had so many ailments—endured so much in every way. This habit does not always leave them when they become Christians. They have sacrificed more for the truth of Christ, have suffered more tribulation, endured more privation and hardship, lost more friends, than almost anyone else. If told of someone who had unselfishly given all possible to give, except life, for Christ and his cause, they have done a little more. It is self-righteousness wherever found; and, my friend, if out of that company don’t join them; if you belong to them, turn away. Be willing to suffer for Christ, bear his cross, endure tribulation, reproaches, loss of earthly friends, yea, all things, if the world never knows it. God knows it all. But don’t boast of these things, nor think yourself superior to others, or more worthy than they, because of your sufferings. Do not mourn over your losses; rather rejoice that you are permitted to suffer for His sake. What if you do suffer?—You might have suffered worse had you never taken up the cross. And if you never accept of the truth of God and the Lord Jesus, what then? What hope in that direction? Oh, how little we can do to merit his favor, even by the help of his grace! It ill becomes poor mortals to boast as virtue that which we would gladly escape, or to consider as great sacrifice, meriting great reward, that which ought to be esteemed a privilege. Say, rather, “I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.” M. C. W.