"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;........ though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." II Corinthians 4:8-18.
The Cross makes for submission.
1. These things should be mentioned so that devout minds may be kept from despair; that they may not hurriedly give up their desires for patience because they cannot lay off their natural inclination towards sorrow. For despair will be the end of those who let their patience slip into indifference and who contend that a man is strong and courageous when he makes himself a senseless block. On the contrary, Scripture praises the saints for their patience when they are severely afflicted by their adversities, but not broken and overcome by them; when they are bitterly distressed, but nevertheless filled with spiritual joy; when they are weighed down by anxiety and become exhausted, and yet leap for joy because of the divine consolation.
2. At the same time there is a conflict in their hearts because our natural feelings avoid and fear what is hostile to our experience. But our zeal of devotion struggles through our difficulties so that we become obedient to the divine will.........
3. It must be our desire, therefore, if we want to be disciples of Christ, to fill our minds with such a great reverence for God and with such an unrestrained obedience that we may triumph over all contrary inclinations, and submit to his plan. In this way we shall remain constant in our patience, whatever afflictions we may bear, and even in the greatest distress of our mind. For adversity will always wound us with its stings. When we are afflicted with disease we shall, therefore, groan and complain and pray for recovery. When we are oppressed with poverty we shall feel lonely and sorry. When we shall be defamed, despised and offended, likewise we shall feel restless. When we have to attend the funeral of our friends, we shall shed tears.
4. But we must always come back to this consolation: The Lord planned our sorrow, so let us submit to his will. Even in the throes of grief, groans and tears, we must encourage ourselves with this reflection, so that our hearts may cheerfully bear up while the storm pass over our heads. John 21:18 ("Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not."
The Cross is necessary for our salvation.
........... Whether we are afflicted with poverty, or exile, or imprisonment, or reproach, or disease, or loss of relatives, or any other similar calamity, we must remember that none of these things happen without the will and providence of God; and moreover, that he does nothing but with regular justice. Do not our innumerable and daily sins deserve many more severe and grievous chastisements than those which he inflicts on us in his mercy? ....... We must suffer patiently, because impatience is rebellion against the justice of God. ..... The upshot of these considerations is, that the more we are oppressed by the cross, the fuller will be our spiritual joy. And, unavoidably, to this joy is attached thankfulness. If praise and thanksgiving to the Lord can come forth only from a cheerful and joyful heart - and there is nothing which ought to repress such emotions - then it is evident that God will temper the bitterness of the Cross by the joy of the Spirit.
(Excerpts from John Calvin's "Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life")
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