We have no reason to be proud! all we have, or are, or do, that is good, is owing to the free and rich grace of God. A sinner snatched from destruction by sovereign grace alone, must be very absurd and inconsistent, if proud of the free gifts of God.
The thought that many eyes are upon believers, when struggling with difficulties or temptations, should encourage constancy and patience. We are weak, but ye are strong. All Christians are not alike exposed. Some suffer greater hardships than others.
They suffer in their persons and characters as the worst and vilest of men; as the very dirt of the world, that was to be swept away: nay, as the off scouring of all things, the dross of all things.
And every one who would be faithful in Christ Jesus, must be prepared for poverty and contempt. Whatever the disciples of Christ suffered from men, they must follow the example, and fulfil the will and precepts of their Lord.
They must be content, with him and for him, to be despised and abused. It is much better to be rejected, despised, and ill used, as St. Paul was, than to have the good opinion and favour of the world. Though cast off by the world as vile, yet we may be precious to God, gathered up with his own hand, and placed upon his throne.
COR 4:9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.
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The thought that many eyes are upon believers, when struggling with difficulties or temptations, should encourage constancy and patience. We are weak, but ye are strong. All Christians are not alike exposed. Some suffer greater hardships than others.
They suffer in their persons and characters as the worst and vilest of men; as the very dirt of the world, that was to be swept away: nay, as the off scouring of all things, the dross of all things.
And every one who would be faithful in Christ Jesus, must be prepared for poverty and contempt. Whatever the disciples of Christ suffered from men, they must follow the example, and fulfil the will and precepts of their Lord.
They must be content, with him and for him, to be despised and abused. It is much better to be rejected, despised, and ill used, as St. Paul was, than to have the good opinion and favour of the world. Though cast off by the world as vile, yet we may be precious to God, gathered up with his own hand, and placed upon his throne.
COR 4:9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.
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We must not pray for suffering or be grateful for it. We must pray for G-d to help us through it and thank Him for His mercy and benevolence as we are or went through it. Everyone suffers even unbelievers it is what we do through our suffering that matters. It shows what we are made off and Whom we belong to. G-d is good all the time and even our suffering is for the good of those who love Him.
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