Value of Trial
129
Looking Away From Men
It may be that even the members of the church to which you belong
will say and do that which will grieve you. But move right on, calm
and peaceful, ever trusting in Jesus, remembering that you are not your
own, that you are Christ’s property, the purchase of the blood of God’s
beloved Son, and that you are engaged in His work, seeking to bless
humanity. This is a great work. Do not let the perversity of men move
you from firm trust and abiding faith in the promises of God.
It hurts you when one for whom you have done much becomes
your enemy, having been brought under an influence opposed to you.
But do you not do almost the same thing to Jesus when you turn away
from Him? He has been your best friend. He has done everything
He could to win your love. He has invited your confidence. He has
asked you to come to Him with all your burdens and all your griefs,
and has pledged His word to give you rest and peace if you will wear
His yoke and bear His burdens. He declares that His yoke is easy
and His burden is light. Show that you believe this. Take God at His
word. You never could have stood where you now stand, bearing the
responsibilities that you have borne, unless Jesus had given you special
help. Acknowledge this. Praise God for the help that He has been to
you, and trust Him still.
Bring Christ into your life. Do not feel that you are answerable
for the wrong course of others, even though they are in the church.
[130]
There are in the church unfaithful ones who treat Jesus far worse than
they treat you. Were He on earth, they would insult Him, revile Him,
defame Him. “It must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man
by whom the offense cometh.” “It were better for him that a millstone
were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of
the sea.”
Matthew 18:7, 6
.
You are carrying a heavy load. I wish that everyone could feel this
as I do. I wish that all your brethren would be true and faithful to you,
not hindering you, not extolling or glorifying you, but looking upon
you as one whom God is using as His instrument to do a given work,
and remembering that they must not block the wheels, but must put
their shoulder to the wheel, helping instead of hindering.