For both he
that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which
cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren."--Hebrews 2:10,11.
[493]Again the apostle Paul shows that the Christian does not complain
because of persecution and suffering; neither does he murmur against
God. But the true sentiment of his heart is expressed in the words of
the Apostle: "We glory in tribulations also, knowing that tribulation
worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and
hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our
hearts by the holy spirit which is given unto us". (Romans 6:3-5) Again
says the Apostle: "I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are
not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in
us".--Romans 8:18.
[494]No true Christian would expect to be without suffering or
chastisements from the Lord, because these are evidences that he is a
follower of Jesus and a son of God. It is one of the ways in which the
spirit of the Lord testifies to us that we are his. (Hebrews 12:2-11;
Romans 8:16,17) These sufferings of the Christian come from various
agencies. The Christian suffers by being misunderstood. His motives are
presumed to be wrong. He is sometimes charged with sedition because he
does not desire to join with peoples of the world in engaging in war to
destroy human lives; sometimes persecuted by false brethren, and
sometimes by those who are ignorant.
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