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Tests All Along the Way, September 16
My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of
his correction: for whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a
father the son in whom he delighteth.
Proverbs 3:11, 12
.
God brings men into trying places to see if they will trust in a power
out of and above themselves. He sees not as man sees. He often has to
break up human connections and change the order which man has mapped
out, which is perfect in his estimation. What man thinks is for his spiritual
and temporal interests may be altogether at variance with the experience
he must have in order to be a follower of Christ. His idea of his own value
may be far out of the way.
Tests are placed all along the way from earth to heaven. It is because
of this that the road to heaven is called the narrow way. Character must be
tested, else there would be many spurious Christians who would keep up a
fair semblance of religion until their inclinations, their desire to have their
own way, their pride and ambition, were crossed. When by the Lord’s
permission sharp trials come to them, their lack of genuine religion, of
the meekness and lowliness of Christ, shows them to be in need of the
work of the Holy Spirit.
Christ’s command, “If any man will come after me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (
Luke 9:23
), is
the touchstone that discovers the quality of the experience. When a
man’s inclinations or ambitious hopes are crossed he reveals the spirit that
governs him....
He [Christ] invites all to wear His yoke and learn His meekness and
lowliness. He knows that it is positively necessary for them to do this. But
no human being can wear the yoke of submission and obedience who does
not learn daily in the school of Christ.... No one, whatever his supposed
abilities, can bear the test of trial unless he is a student in the school of
Christ....
The true Christian keeps his eyes fixed on Him who searches the heart
and tries the reins, who requires truth in the inward parts. His constant
prayer is, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my
thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the
way everlasting” (
Psalm 139:23, 24
).
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