A thing we forgot

In the early 1990's I began reading sermons and books written by Christian pastors and theologians who lived in the 1600's and 1700's and some in the 1800's.  Two things struck me with great force as I read.  First, the gospel these men preached did not sound like the gospel I was preaching (I had been int he ministry for 15 years when I started this reading).  The facts of Christ's life, death and resurrection were the same but the way in which they spoke to people and spoke of the glory of God in the person of Christ was very different from how I was speaking and teaching.  Second, it was very clear that we, the church in the USA, at least that part of the church of which I was a part had forgotten a lot.  The biblical and theological knowledge of the average Christian in those days was superior to the best Christians that I knew.  It was clear that we have forgotten many of basic Christian practices that sustained and supported Christian living.

One of the chief things I saw that these older Christians understood was the place of suffering in the Christian life.  They understood God's purposes in sending suffering and they helped each other be trained by it.  They suffered together.  So today I am going to post another selection from the great British Baptist preacher of the late 1800's, CH Spurgeon.  It is his "devotion" for March 29th from his great devotional work, "Morning and Evening".  So let's listen to him remind us of something that the modern church has by and large forgotten.

Morning, March 29

“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.”

Hebrews 5:8

We are told that the Captain of our salvation was made perfect through suffering, therefore we who are sinful, and who are far from being perfect, must not wonder if we are called to pass through suffering too. Shall the head be crowned with thorns, and shall the other members of the body be rocked upon the dainty lap of ease? Must Christ pass through seas of his own blood to win the crown, and are we to walk to heaven dryshod in silver slippers? No, our Master’s experience teaches us that suffering is necessary, and the true-born child of God must not, would not, escape it if he might. But there is one very comforting thought in the fact of Christ’s “being made perfect through suffering”—it is, that he can have complete sympathy with us. “He is not an high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.” In this sympathy of Christ we find a sustaining power. One of the early martyrs said, “I can bear it all, for Jesus suffered, and he suffers in me now; he sympathizes with me, and this makes me strong.” Believer, lay hold of this thought in all times of agony. Let the thought of Jesus strengthen you as you follow in his steps. Find a sweet support in his sympathy; and remember that, to suffer is an honourable thing—to suffer for Christ is glory. The apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to do this. Just so far as the Lord shall give us grace to suffer for Christ, to suffer with Christ, just so far does he honour us. The jewels of a Christian are his afflictions. The regalia of the kings whom God hath anointed are their troubles, their sorrows, and their griefs. Let us not, therefore, shun being honoured. Let us not turn aside from being exalted. Griefs exalt us, and troubles lift us up. “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him.”