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Testimonies for the Church Volume 8
many infirmities. He was continually followed by the hatred and
malice of the Jews. They were exceedingly bitter against him and did
all in their power to hinder him in his work. Yet we hear his voice
sounding down along the line of our time: “Our light affliction, which
is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal
weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but
at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are
temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” “I reckon
that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared
with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
2 Corinthians 4:17, 18
;
Romans 8:18
. None too highly does Paul estimate the privileges and
advantages of the Christian life. I speak with no hesitancy about this
matter, for I know for myself that what he says is true.
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Resting in God’s Love
Paul says further: “As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they
are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage
again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we
cry, Abba, Father.”
Verses 14, 15
. One of the lessons that we are to
learn in the school of Christ is that the Lord’s love for us is far greater
than that of our earthly parents. We are to have unquestioning faith
and perfect confidence in Him. “The Spirit itself beareth witness with
our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs;
heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with
Him, that we may be also glorified together.”
Verses 16, 17
.
May the Lord help you, as a diligent student in the school of Christ,
to learn to lay your burdens on Jesus. And if you are free in His love,
you will look above and away from these annoying trials. Think of
what Jesus has endured for you, and never forget that it is part of the
legacy that we have received as Christians, to be partakers with Him
of His sufferings, that we may be partakers with Him of His glory.
The Danger of Self-Sufficiency
Study Nebuchadnezzar’s dream as recorded in the fourth chapter
of Daniel. The king saw a lofty tree planted in the earth. Flocks
and herds from the mountains and hills enjoyed its shelter, and the