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TRIBULATION THE WAY TO HEAVEN
REAL fortitude is shewn, not more in overcoming difficulties which unexpectedly occur, than in encountering firmly those which are foreseen. In order to meet trials aright, we must be armed with a heavenly principle: and hence arises the need of a fixed principle in the heart of a Christian; since he is assured, that he shall have many enemies to conflict with, and that his way to heaven lies through much tribulation. This is declared to us by an inspired Apostle; who himself experienced the truth of it, and has forewarned us to expect that it shall also be fulfilled in us.
Let us consider his testimony,
I. As confirmed in him—
The whole life of the Apostle, after he embraced the faith of Christ, was an illustration and proof of this truth. View him—
1. On this occasion—
[If ever he might have hoped to escape persecution, it was at this time. Consider what he had done in restoring a man who had been a cripple from the womb; and what a spirit the people had manifested towards him, in ascribing to him divine honour, and bringing sacrifices to him as unto a god: Could it be thought that he was in any danger at that place? Yet, behold, no sooner did Jews come from Antioch and Iconium to stir up the people against him, than their minds were changed, and they stoned him as an impostor, whom they had just before proposed to worship as a god: so rapid was the transition from one extreme to another. Just as, in the case of our blessed Lord, there was but an interval of three days between the acclamations of the populace, and the universal cry of “Crucify him, crucify him,” so there was but a step between the deification and destruction of this blessed man.]
2. Through the whole course of his ministry—
[Like his adorable Master, the Lord Jesus, he was truly “a man of sorrows.” Indeed he expected that he should be so, and forewarned his converts respecting it, lest, when they saw the treatment he received, they should be discouraged [Note: 1Th_3:3-4.]. When speaking of his sufferings some years afterwards, he especially referred to this particular occasion [Note: 2Ti_3:10-11.]: but, in fact, it made only a single article out of a long catalogue of trials, which attended him through life [Note: 2Co_11:23-28.].]
We are apt to think that persecution was the lot of Christians only in the first ages of the Church: but the Apostle’s testimony relates to all Christians of every age; and must therefore be considered,
II. As to be realized in us—
It is a fact that all zealous Christians are persecuted—
[We say not that persecution rages equally at all times; but we affirm, that lively and zealous Christians are hated by the world [Note: Mat_10:22. Joh_15:18-19.]: that “those who are born after the flesh do still persecute those who are born after the Spirit [Note: Gal_4:29.].” There are seasons indeed when the world may seem to favour a servant of God; but, in the midst of all their seeming kindness, there is in their hearts a rooted enmity against him, which, like sediment in clear water, will shew itself, the very instant it is stirred. It needs but little to inflame a whole community against him. They can hear unkind reports respecting others, and disregard them; but in every thing that leads to the disadvantage of a child of God, they take an interest; and, like inflammable matter, easily communicate the malignant fire to each other, so as rapidly to produce a general conflagration [Note: Psa_57:4; Psa_64:3-6.]. And hence every believer is fore-warned to expect persecution as his proper and certain lot [Note: 2Ti_3:12.].]
And God has graciously ordained, that trials shall attend us for our good—
[Our blessed Lord “learned obedience by the things that he suffered,” and “was made perfect by sufferings:” and we are to be conformed to him in these respects: we must “suffer with him, in order that we may be glorified together [Note: 1Pe_2:21. Rom_8:17; Rom_8:29.]. There is in us a great deal of “dross and tin,” which, in the furnace of affliction, must be purged away [Note: Isa_1:25.]. Our graces also must be exercised and confirmed by means of trials, which are altogether necessary to call them forth [Note: Rom_5:3-4.]: and to the graces so exercised will our eternal weight of glory be proportioned [Note: 2Co_4:17.].]
Address—
1. To those who are the friends of this world—
[This is a state, which, though greatly desired by men in general, is not by any means to be coveted; for it proves infallibly that we are not faithful to our God [Note: Jam_4:4.]. It is not possible for light and darkness to coalesce, or for Christ and Belial to agree together [Note: 2Co_6:15-16.]. It were better far to be hated of all men for the Lord’s sake, than to incur his displeasure for the sake of retaining their good opinion.]
2. Those who suffer for the Lord’s sake—
[Be not surprised at any thing that you suffer [Note: 1Pe_4:12-16.], nor be grieved at it. The inspired writers speak of your trials as a just occasion of joy [Note: Jam_1:2-3; Jam_1:12.]. Only endeavour to improve them aright [Note: 1Co_4:9-13.]; and you will never complain of the difficulties of the way, when you have reached your journey’s end [Note: Rom_7:14.].]