Page:Studies in the Scriptures - Series I - The Plan of the Ages (1909).djvu/292

 But human nature seeks to avoid suffering and is ever ready to grasp honor and power ; hence we find that even in the apostles' day some in the Church were disposed to appropriate the promises of future honor and power to the present life, and were beginning to act as though they thought the time had already come for the world to honor and even to obey the Church. The Apostle Paul writes, correcting this error, knowing that such ideas would have an injurious effect upon the Church by cultivating pride and leading away from sacrifice. He says to them, iron- ically, "Now ye are full, now ye are rich ; ye have reigned as kings without us." And then he adds, earnestly, "I would to God ye did reign, that we [persecuted apostles] also might reign with you." (i Cor. 4 : 8.) They were en- joying their Christianity by trying to get out of it and with it as much honor as possible ; and the Apostle well knew that if they were faithful 'as followers of the Lord they would be in no such condition. Hence he reminds them that if indeed the long-looked-for reign had begun, he also would be reigning no less than they, and of the fact that he by faithfulness was a sufferer for the truth's sake, which was a proof that their reign was premature, and a snare rather than a glory. Then, with a touch of irony, he adds, " We [apostles and faithful servants] are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honorable, but we are despised/' I do not write these things merely to shame you : I have a better and a nobler object: TO WARN YOU ; for the path of present honor leads not to the glory and honor to fa revealed ; but present suffering and self-denial are the narrow path to glory, honor, immortality and joint-heirship in the kingdom. Where- fore, I beseech you, be ye followers of me. Suffer and be reviled and persecuted now, that you may share with me the* crown of life, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will

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