Happy those venturesome ones who now sow liberally to the Spirit in every manner, without becoming weary (Gal. 6:9); for it will not be lost, will not spoil, rot, rust, or become moth-eaten.
Observe and read Matt. 6:19; Luke 12:33; 1 Timothy 6:19. O brethren, our faithful God is surely faithful. The alms of a man is as a signet with him, and he will keep the good deeds of a man as the apple of the eye; and afterward he will rise up and reward them, and render their recompense upon their heads. Sir. 17:22,23. Observe: Thus we may well say with Sirach: “We have had labor for a little season, and have found great comfort.” 51:27.
O friends, let us not be weary in sowing and well-doing, for our reward, according to the promises of God, is great in the time to come, as has been heard, and is unfathomable, incomprehensible and unspeakable. Nevertheless, it is now revealed to his saints, by his Spirit, 1 Cor. 2:10. It is an eternal and exceeding weight of glory. 2 Cor. 4:17.
Now, all attentive [readers], who firmly believe, know and hope this with all their heart and from the depths of their soul, and also understand, on what conditions, and to whom, and to whom not, this glorious kingdom is promised and sure. Such an intelligent and far-seeing Christian is so rich in hope toward God, so firmly anchored in his soul, that he completely and humbly surrenders himself soul and body to a faithful Creator, however, in well doing without boasting. 1 Pet. 4:19.
Yea, we confess and declare with all saints rich in hope, that this present time is short, and that the sufferings of this time, for righteousness, are small, and, hence, not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Rom. 8:18), as will here follow.
Believers lightly esteem the sufferings of this present time, because of the hope, promise, and reward.
In the first place, the youngest of the seven brothers in Maccabees spoke thus out of his joyful hope: “My brethren, who now have suffered themselves to be martyred for a little while, now wait for eternal life according to God’s promise.” 2 Macc. 7:36. Again, in Solomon we read: Having been a little chastised (mark, a little), they shall be greatly rewarded. Wis. 3:5. Again, in Peter, also: Ye who now for a season (he says, for a season), if need be, are in heaviness through manifold temptations, etc. 1 Pet. 1:6. Again: The God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while (he says, a while), make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 1 Pet. 5:10.
These and other like passages esteem the sufferings of this present time short, small and light, and the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of this world. Heb. 11:26. The fearful woman in travail, of whom Christ speaks, has anguish in her hour of travail, but afterwards she rejoices, and forgets the anguish. John 16:21. And these, who are thus strong in God, though weak and nothing of themselves, who are thus surely fixed in faith, hope, and the love of God, these (I say these) say with Paul: “Who shall separate us from the love of God.” “For I am persuaded,” he says, “that neither death, nor life . . . shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom. 8:35. For if God be with them, who can be against them? Verse 31.
But it were fearful presumption, to boast, or say, yea, to think, without God and a good conscience toward him, that we can do anything of ourselves. Such arrogancy, boasting and self strength, as in the case of inconsiderate Peter, are nothing, even as the independent, severed branch, without abiding in its vine, can do nothing. John 15:6. And as those impotent individuals who took upon them to cast out Satan in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preached (Acts 19:13), even so can no powerless man boast without God; he must first calculate whether he dare with ten thousand go out against twenty thousand, according to the counsel and words of Christ. Luke 14:31. Therefore, he that would glory, let him glory in the Lord: If the Lord will, and we live. Jer. 9:23; 1 Cor. 1:31; James 4:15. And if he be with him, no one can be against him. Rom. 8:31. And God is with them if they are with God. Then they can do all things through Christ, which strengthened them. By their God they can leap over a wall, run through a troop, and overcome the world. The gates of hell cannot prevail against them; for love with its patient hope and firm faith can do all things through the grace of God. Mark well, they who thus closely, firmly and boldly cleave to God, become stronger in the conflict, as Sirach says. Sir. 2:3. Cleave therefore unto God, and depart or waver neither to the right nor left, that you may continually wax stronger.
Mark: God said to Joshua, whom he appointed in Moses’ office and stead: “I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage.” Josh. 1:5,6. Again: “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Deut. 31:6. Mark here the advantage of freely trusting in God’s promise. Hence such a pious people say thus in their hearts: “O Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and shewest mercy unto thy servants, that walk before thee with all their hearts.” 2 Chron. 6:14. Observe well who they are: he says, [that walk before thee] with all their hearts. Whose rock and fortress is the Lord; who is their God, deliverer, consolation, and shield; the horn of their salvation; their high tower and refuge; their Savior who saves them from all violence. 2 Sam. 22:2,3. These are also they who have set the Lord always before them; hence he is at their right hand, and they shall therefore not be moved, says David. Ps. 16:8. Mark here boldness, and its power. But the fear of man bringeth a snare: (mark) but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe. Ps. 29:25. Mark: he that is with God, and with whom God is. David says: The salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble. Ps. 37:39.