SUFFERING
One church leader, made the following remark: "Through their own suffering, people can reach salvation." In certain realms this may be true. Many causes have been enhanced by the suffering and even death of their advocates. Martyrdom is not uncommon to the history of Christianity through the centuries. But speaking strictly in the spiritual sense, and with relationship to our eternal souls, we cannot reach salvation through our own suffering.
Many people suffer in this world. But this does not write them a free ticket to heaven. Some claim they have had hell on earth because of their suffering. The Bible says otherwise. We haven't seen anything yet of suffering or glory. Let the ungodly, Christ rejecter continue in his unbelief and he will find out soon enough what hell is really like.
But those who suffer now need not fall into a worse hell later. God is no respecter of persons, and although He will not make special allowances for the sufferer, He offers to all free pardon from their sins and eternal glory to come.
This, indeed, does come through suffering, now our own, but Jesus Christ's. He has suffered for our sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit (I Peter 3:18). God saw the travail of His soul and was satisfied. Christ died for our sins. It is our responsibility to receive the gift of God which is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
We must see that it is through HIS suffering that we are saved. By His stripes we are healed. God the Father is satisfied with the sacrifice of His Son; but are we? He cannot accept us on the basis of our suffering, but He will accept us in Christ, because of Calvary. There is glory by and by for the believer in Jesus. We shall see the glory of the Lord, and share in the same, all suffering forever left behind and forgotten.
-- Editor
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"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:6
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Second in a Series
THE DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST
( ITS NECESSITY )
Was it necessary for Christ to die? If so, why?
Our Lord declared that He must die. Matthew tells us: "From that time began Jesus to show unto His disciples, that he MUST go unto Jerusalem, and suffer . . . and be killed." The word for "must" is the strongest Greek word to express necessity. But how should we interpret this declaration? Why did Christ feel that He must die?
Various answers are given. Some say that He was merely accepting the common lot of all men: all men must die; so He must die. Others say that He sensed the growing opposition of the Jews, and began to feel that He could not escape their hatred; therefore, He accepted what seemed inevitable, and began to prepare His disciples for it. Still others say that He held a fatalistic view of human existence; all is fixed and cannot be changed or escaped.
These views are wrong.
The necessity of Christ's death was voluntarily self-imposed. It was not a necessity imposed upon Him by fate or circumstances. John reports Jesus as saying, "I lay down my life, that I may take it again. No one taketh it away from me, but I lay it down of myself."
Paul writes: And he "gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God." "He humbled himself unto death, yea, the death of the cross."
Several reasons are given by our Lord for the necessity of His death.
First, He must die to accomplish His own eternal purpose. "For this cause came I unto this hour," He explained. Christ is declared to be the "Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." It was His purpose from eternity to die for mankind.
Second, He must die to obey the will of His Father. In the Garden He prayed, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass away from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt." A second time He prayed, "If this cannot pass away, except I drink it, thy will be done." "And he prayed a third time, saying the same words." The inspired writer to the Hebrews has Him saying, "Lo, I am come to do thy will, O God." This was the story of His life -- and death.
Third, Christ must die to fulfill prophecy. Following His resurrection Jesus talks to His disciples about the events that have transpired over the past several days, including His death. "And he said unto them, These are my words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must NEEDS be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me . . . Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead the third day."
Fourth, and finally, our Lord Jesus Christ must die in order to share His own eternal life with sinful men. "So MUST the Son of man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth may in him have eternal life." (John 3:14,15). It took His death to make His life available to sinners. It takes faith to make His life our own. "He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life." Without faith it is impossible to please Him. "He that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him." (John 3:36).
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ARE YOU ABSOLUTELY SURE?
Are you absolutely sure that your religion is sufficient for your needs? Is it meeting the needs of this life? Will it meet the needs of the life to come? You say that you are satisfied with your religion and sincerely practice it, but is that enough? You say that it makes no difference what religion you have as long as you have one, but according to God's Word it does make a difference. It does make a difference what you believe. Make absolutely sure that your religion is the right kind.
"Religion" is defined as "the service and adoration of God . . . devotion or fidelity to Him." The religion of the Bible is a Person. Jesus Christ is the center and circumference, the beginning and ending, the Alpha and Omega, the One who is all and in all. He occupied the central position in the lives of His early followers. Their thoughts were continually about Him, their activities were in relationship to Him, their love was directed toward Him, their work, ambitions, desires were with Him in view.
Let us look at your religion. What is the center and circumference of it? Possibly your religion centers about the church or maybe the ordinances. Perhaps it is your charitable works. It may even center in your pastor, priest or rabbi. As good as these things may be, they are insufficient for your greater needs, either in this life or in that which is to come. If the center of your religion is anything less than JESUS CHRIST -- whether it be church, creed, custom, or clergy -- it is inadequate, and shall be proven so eventually.
Make absolutely sure, therefore, that your love, devotion, ambitions, desires -- yes, your very life, has Christ at the center. If He rules and reigns in your heart there will be nothing in this life that can defeat you, and concerning the future you will be able to confidently say with Paul, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21).
The religion of Heaven is a Person. The hosts of heaven are occupied with singing the praises of Him who has redeemed them from every nation with His own blood. If Christ is our religion now, He shall be then. But if He is not our religion now, He shall not be then.
Are you absolutely sure? You may be sure if your religion is Christo-centric. Paul affirms: "I know Him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that He is able to guard that which I have committed unto Him against that day." John says, "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life . . . "
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PRAYER WITHOUT WORDS
Sometimes I do not pray in words;
I take my heart in my two hands
And hold it up before the Lord --
I am so glad He understands.
Sometimes I do not pray in words:
My spirit bows before His feet
And, with His hand upon my head,
We hold communion, silent, sweet.
Sometimes I do not pray in words:
For I am tired and long for rest;
My weary heart finds all it needs
Upon the Saviour's gentle breast.
-- Martha Snell Nicholson
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Christian Martyrs of The Past
JOHN HOOPER
The name of this good man will ever be remembered for his devotion to the reformed faith, and for the sufferings he cheerfully endured in upholding it.
John Hooper was a graduate of Oxford university. He entered the ministry and began to preach early in the reign of king Henry VIII. Being suspected of heresy he was obliged to flee England. At length, when the persecutions of Henry VIII had ceased, and king Edward began to reign over England, Hooper, together with many other English exiles, prepared to return home.
After Hooper had labored in London for some time, king Edward VI appointed him one of his chaplains, and soon after made him bishop of Gloucester, and also committed to his care the bishopric of Winchester.
Bishop Hooper continued to fulfill his duty as a faithful pastor during the whole of king Edward's reign; but the death of the king changed all this. No sooner did Mary have the kingdom within her grasp, than she sent a sergeant-at-arms to arrest bishop Hooper on two charges. First, that he had unlawfully deprived bishop Heath of his diocese of Gloucester; second, that he had made accusations before king Edward against bishop Bonner.
The following is Hooper's own account of his imprisonment.
"On the 1st of September, 1553, I was sent to the Fleet, and although I paid the warden the customary fee of five pounds to have the liberty of the prison, yet was I closely confined in a cell in the tower chamber of the Fleet for three months, and used very harshly. Then, by the kind pleading of a good gentlewoman, I was allowed to come down to dinner and supper, though not suffered to speak with any of my friends; but as soon as dinner or supper was done, to go back to my cell again. Even whilst I came down thus to dinner and supper, the warden and his wife sought quarrels with me, and complained untruly of me to their master, Gardiner, bishop of Winchester.
"After three months of this imprisonment, Babington the warden, and his wife, quarreled with me about the observance of mass; thereupon the warden went to Gardiner, and obtained leave to put me into the common prison with thieves and outcasts. Here I remained a long time, having no bed but a little pad of straw, until some good people sent me bedding to lie on. On the one side of the room is the sink and filth of the house, and on the other side the town ditch, so that the stench of them caused me to fall ill . . .
"I have suffered imprisonment almost eighteen months; my goods, living, friends, and comfort have been taken from me. The queen hath put me in prison, and giveth nothing to support me, neither is there any one allowed to come to me whereby I might have relief. I am in the hands of a wicked man and woman, Gardiner and the queen, so that I see no escape (saving God's help), but to die in prison before I come to judgment. But I commit my just cause to God, whose will be done, whether it be by life or death."
Hooper was at last taken from his dungeon and brought before Gardiner, and other bishops appointed to examine him. Gardiner urged Hooper to forsake the evil and corrupt doctrine (as he termed it) preached in the days of king Edward VI and to return to the unity of the church, and to acknowledge the pope to be head of the same, according to the act of parliament. Bonner promised that as he himself, with others of his brethren, had received the pope's blessing and the queen's mercy, even so mercy was ready to be shown to Hooper and others, if they would join with them, and acknowledge the pope's supremacy.
Hooper answered, that in his opinion, the pope taught doctrine contrary to the Scriptures, and was scarce worthy even to be accounted a member of Christ's church, much less to be the head of it. Whereupon the assembled bishops ordered him back to the prison again. Hooper was brought before the commissioners for a further hearing about a week later. The examination being ended, the sheriff of London was commanded, about four o'clock to take the prisoner to the Compter prison, to see whether he would repent and come back again into the church.
On the next day he was again brought by the sheriff before the bishop and commissioners. And after long and earnest talk, when they perceived that Hooper would by no means yield to them, they condemned him to be degraded, and read to him his condemnation. And so they delivered him to the secular power, the sheriff of London, who was ordered to carry him to prison. When it was dark, Hooper was led by the sheriff's men armed with many weapons, first through the bishop of Winchester's house, and so over London bridge, through the city, to Newgate prison.
After Hooper had been one week in Newgate, Bonner, bishop of London, came to the prison, and degraded him. This was done by first putting on him the robes worn by priests, and then taking them off again with solemn ceremony. They did not put on him the bishop's robes, because they did not admit of his right to that office. While they were stripping him of the robes, he told them he was glad to part with them, as he no longer wanted to be of their company.
A few hours after they had left him, the keeper came and told him he would be sent down to Gloucester, the next day, to suffer death. Upon hearing this Hooper lifted up his hands and thanked God that he was to die among his own people, as he thought it would be the means of confirming them in the faith he had taught. He then sent for his boots and cloak, that he might be ready to ride with the officers whenever they should come for him.
On Tuesday, about four in the morning, he was led out of prison by the sheriff, and taken to an inn, the sign of the Angel, near St. Dunstan's church, Fleet-street. There he was received by the queen's officers, who had the warrant for his execution. At break of day he cheerfully mounted the horse they brought for him. He was given a hood to wear under his hat, so that he might not be recognized. Thus, disguised, but with a serene and cheerful countenance, he started on the road to Gloucester, attended by his keepers.
On Thursday they came to Gloucester, arriving about five in the afternoon. A great many people were gathered together there; so that one of the guard, fearing a rescue, rode up to the mayor's house to get more soldiers. These being sent, the people moved further away. Hooper was that night lodged in the house of one Robert Ingram, where he ate his supper with a good appetite, and then went to his room and slept very quietly, as the guard declared, for they stayed in the chamber with him all the night.
In the morning Hooper arose, and prayed earnestly for Divine aid during his coming trial. And many of his friends came to his room to speak with him; among others, Sir Anthony Kingston, who, although formerly his friend, was on this occasion appointed by the queen to be one of the commissioners to attend the burning. Kingston being brought into the chamber, found the prisoner quietly sitting there; and as soon as he saw Hooper, he shed tears. Hooper at first did not know him. Then Kingston said, "Why, my lord bishop, do you not know me, an old friend of yours, Anthony Kingston?"
"Yes, master Kingston," said Hooper, "now I do know you very well, and am glad to see you in good health."
"But I am sorry," answered Kingston, "to see you in this sad case; for, as I understand, you are come hither to die. But, alas! consider that life is sweet, and death is bitter. Therefore, seeing life may be had for the asking, consent to live; for your life hereafter may do much good."
"Indeed," said Hooper, "it is true, master Kingston, I am come hither to end my life, and to suffer death here, because I will not deny the truth that I have taught amongst you in this diocese, and elsewhere; and I thank you for your friendly counsel, although it is not so friendly as I could have wished it. True it is, master Kingston, that death is bitter, and life is sweet: but, alas! consider that the death to come is more bitter, and the life to come is more sweet. Therefore, for the desire and love I have for the one, and the terror and fear of the other, I do not so much regard this death, nor esteem this life, but have settled myself, through the strength of God's Holy Spirit, patiently to pass through the torments and extremities of the fire now prepared for me, rather than to deny the truth of His Word, desiring you and others in the meantime, to commend me to God's mercy in your prayers."
"Well, my lord," said Kingston, "I perceive there is no remedy; and therefore I will take my leave of you: and I am thankful that I have known you; for by your good instructions, whereas previously I was an evil liver and immoral man, God hath brought me to forsake and hate my sins."
"If you have had the grace to do so," said Hooper, "I am thankful for it: and I hope you may continue to live a good life." After these and many other words they took leave of each other; Kingston with bitter tears, and Hooper also with tears trickling down his cheeks. At his going Hooper told Kingston that all the trials he had borne in prison had not so much affected him.
This same night Hooper was given over to the custody of the sheriffs of Gloucester. It was decided that he should remain in Robert Ingram's house; and the sheriffs and the sergeants, and other officers appointed, watched that night themselves. Hooper's wish was, that he might go to bed early, saying he had many things to do in the morning. So he lay down, at five o'clock, and slept soundly for some hours; then arising, he spent the rest of the night in prayer. When it was day, he desired that no man should be allowed to come into his chamber, but that he might be alone till the hour of execution.
At nine o'clock Hooper was told to prepare himself, for the time was at hand. He was soon led forward between the two sheriffs, wearing a gown of Robert Ingram's, and having a staff in his hand to steady himself with: for the pain of the rheumatism, which he had taken from the dampness of his prison, made him lame. Being strictly forbidden to speak, he could not be seen once to open his mouth, but he would sometimes lift up his eyes towards heaven, and then look very cheerfully upon such persons as he knew. When he came to the place appointed, where he was to die, he beheld with a smile the stake and the preparations made for his burning, which was to take place near the great elm tree, over against the college of priests, where he used to preach.
Then Hooper kneeled down to pray (as he was not allowed to speak to the people) and beckoned to one whom he knew well to hear the prayer, so as to make report of it when he should be dead. Having ended his prayer he arose and began to prepare himself for the stake. He first put off Ingram's gown which he had borrowed, and gave it to the sheriffs, requesting them to see it restored to the owner; and then he took off the rest of his clothes, to his doublet and hose. These he wished to wear at the stake, but the sheriffs would not permit that, and his doublet, hose, and waistcoat were taken off. A pound of gunpowder in a bag was then put under each of his arms by the guard. Hooper then asked the people standing near to repeat the Lord's Prayer with him, and to pray for him.
This they did with tears, both while he stood awaiting the fire, and during the time of his pains. Now when he went up to the stake, three irons were brought to fasten him to it, one for his neck, and another for his middle, and the third for his legs. But he refused them, saying, "You have no need thus to trouble yourselves. For I doubt not but God will give me strength sufficient to bear the fire, without bonds. Nevertheless, they brought the hoop of iron for his middle, and put it around him; but when they offered to bind his neck and legs with the other hoops of iron, he refused them, saying, "I shall not flinch." Then being ready, he looked upon the people who could see him well, for he was tall, and stood also on a high stool, and beheld all round about him; and in every direction there was nothing to be seen but weeping and sorrowful people. Then lifting up his eyes and hands to heaven, he prayed silently. By and by the man appointed to make the fire came to him, and asked his forgiveness. Hooper asked why he should forgive him, saying that he knew not any offence that he had committed against him. "O sir," said the man, "I am he who must make the fire." Hooper said, "Thou does not offend me; God forgive thee thy act, but do thine office, I pray thee."
And now the order was given to light the fire. But as all the fagots were green it was a good while before they would burn. At last they blazed up around the form in the midst, but the wind blew the flames from him, so that he was only scorched by the fire. A few dry fagots were then brought, and a new fire kindled, but it was a long time before it burned strongly, so that Hooper begged them to use more despatch to put him out of his misery. After patiently enduring these torments for fully three-quarters of an hour, he died without a struggle, and hung lifeless from the iron which fastened him to the stake.
Such was the end of one of the foremost men among the reformers of that time. Eloquent, charitable, and untiring in his labors to win souls to Christ, he met his dreadful death with a heroism as great as that of any of the martyrs of ancient times.
From "Foxe's Christian Martyrs of the World," published by Moody Press, Chicago.
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FEAR
How strange that we who are the sons of God
Should be familiar with the face of fear,
So sure that every cloud will bring a storm,
So fearful lest tomorrow be not clear.
We shrink from woes which never come to pass,
Mere phantoms, with no substance and no strength;
But even if they had, would not our Lord provide
His strength to meet the need of each day's length?
Children of God, with quaking, craven hearts
Consumed by the corrosive power of dread! . . .
And yet He holds us in His hollowed hand,
And counts the very hairs upon our head.
What strong firm bulwarks He has built around
The daily lives of those He holds so dear:
The blessed Holy Spirit in our hearts.
His guardian angels ever hovering near
Lest we should dash our feet against a stone.
The unseen hosts of God camp round about
We dwell there safely in His secret place,
And still we tremble, wracked with fear and doubt!
O child of God, it is so safe, so sweet,
To trust the One who never knew defeat!
-- Martha Snell Nicholson
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