Suffering for Christ by Spurgeon

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 10, 1865

Suffering for Christ.

By Spurgeon

It is not pleasant to be pointed at in the streets, and have opprobrious names shouted after you by vulgar tongues; nor is it a small trial to be saluted in the workshop by opprobrious epithets, or to be looked upon as an idiot or a madman; and yet this is the lot of many of the people of God every day of the week. Many of those who are of the humbler classes have to endure constant and open reproach, and those who are rich have to put up with the cold shoulder, and neglect, and sneers, as soon as they become true disciples of Jesus Christ. There is more sting in this than some dream; and we have known strong men who could have borne the lash, brought down by jeers and sarcasm, even just as the wasp may more thoroughly irritate and vex the lion than if the noblest beast of prey should attack him.

Believers have also to suffer slander and falsehood. It is not expedient for me, doubtless, to glory, but I know a man who scarcely ever speaks a word which is not misrepresented, and hardly performs an action which is not misconstrued. The press at certain seasons, like a pack of hounds, will get upon his track, and worry him with the basest and most undeserved abuse. Both publicly and privately he is accustomed to be sneered at. The world whispers, "Ah! he pretends to be zealous for God, but he makes a fine thing of it!" Mark you, when the world shall learn what he does make of it, maybe it will have to eat its words. But I forbear; such is the portion of every servant of

God who has to bear public testimony for the truth, Every motive but the right one will be imputed to him; his good will be spoken evil of; his zeal will be called imprudence—his courage, impertinence—his modesty, cowardice—his earnestness, rashness. It is impossible for the true believer in Christ, who is called to any eminent service, to do anything right. He had better at once learn to say with Luther, “The world hates me, and there is no love lost between us, for as much as it hates me, so heartily do I hate it.” He meant not the men in the world, for there never was a more loving heart than Luther’s; but he meant the fame, the opinion, the honor of the world, he trod beneath his feet. If in your measure, you bear undeserved rebuke for Christ’s sake, comfort yourselves with these words, “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us.”—Spurgeon.