Friday, July 03, 2009

Suffering for Christ or Consequences of Sin? Spurgeon Speaks

Spurgeon Speaks

"If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him."—2 Timothy 2:12.

We must not imagine that we are suffering for Christ, and with Christ, if we are not in Christ. Beloved friend, are you trusting to Jesus only? If not, whatever you may have to mourn over on earth, you are not "suffering with Christ," and have no hope of reigning with Him in heaven.

Neither are we to conclude that all a Christian's sufferings are sufferings with Christ, for it is essential that he be called by God to suffer. If we are rash and imprudent, and run into positions for which neither providence nor grace has fitted us, we ought to question whether we are not rather sinning than communing with Jesus. If we let passion take the place of judgment, and self-will reign instead of Scriptural authority, we shall fight the Lord's battles with the devil's weapons, and if we cut our own fingers we must not be surprised.

Again, in troubles which come upon us as the result of sin, we must not dream that we are suffering with Christ. When Miriam spoke evil of Moses, and the leprosy polluted her, she was not suffering for God. Moreover, suffering which God accepts must have God's glory as its end. If I suffer that I may earn a name, or win applause, I shall get no other reward than that of the Pharisee. It is requisite also that love to Jesus, and love to His elect, be ever the mainspring of all our patience. We must manifest the Spirit of Christ in meekness, gentleness, and forgiveness.

Let us search and see if we truly suffer with Jesus. And if we do thus suffer, what is our "light affliction" compared with reigning with Him? Oh it is so blessed to be in the furnace with Christ, and such an honour to stand in the pillory with Him, that if there were no future reward, we might count ourselves happy in present honour; but when the recompense is so eternal, so infinitely more than we had any right to expect, shall we not take up the cross with alacrity, and go on our way rejoicing?

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I always have problems figuring whether WHAT I have suffered is for glory - I figure MOST - if not ALL of it is b/c of my own stupidity and inability to discern the Will of God. Wood, hay and stubble as it were - my time of this earth.
Really like your blog and your writing style - very DIRECT.
God bless!

Denise said...

Thank you Bevy. =)

I think as the days grow darker, there will be plenty of opportunity to suffer for the Lord. It seems as things draw to a close, the furnace will turn up its heat.

Denise said...

Bevy,

I just read your profile. It sounds like you've had some trials yourself. Its great to see that your view is of things above, not temporal ones. =)(Col. 3).

My father passed away this past October from kidney failure. I don't know if he was truly saved, but I'm ok not knowing. I have to just trust the Lord and find peace in His sovereignty.

Caring for your mother has got to be difficult at times. Its so weird when our roles with our parents get reversed.

May you continue to find strength in the Lord as you care for your mother.

Ps. 121 & Is. 40!