p. 228 | PRACTICAL THOUGHTS by D. T. Bourdeau

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · April 8, 1880

FromThe Review and Herald, Vol. 55, No. 15

PRACTICAL THOUGHTS.

By D. T. Bourdeau

BY ELD. D. T. BOURDEAU.

THE USES OF AFFLICTIONS.

The expression, “I die daily,” or “I am every day exposed to death” (French translation by Ostervald), sets forth one great means of advancement in the Christian life. What would tend more to lead Paul to see his weakness and helplessness, draw near to God, deny himself, and advance in virtue, than his sufferings and dangers? He well understood this when he said, “Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.” “Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” 2 Cor. 4:10, 16. Again, “And lest I should be exalted above measure, . . . there was given to me a thorn in the flesh.” 2 Cor. 12:7. And again, “We glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope.” Rom. 5:3, 4. See also 2 Cor. 1:3–10.

If all professing to be Christians had the mind of Paul, there certainly would be less careless lingering on the low grounds of sin, and greater growth in grace. As Paul was not yet perfect (Phil. 3:12), he could not improve upon his sufferings without advancing in holiness. Afflictions and persecutions purify the church, while exemption from these trials brings upon the church spiritual indolence and corruption. We love to contemplate a pure church, but we are not so fond of the means by which that church attained to purity. We are naturally averse to the suffering part of religion. He who has learned to count it all joy when he passes through purifying trials, has learned a precious lesson in the school of Christ. Such a person has the key to success, and evinces that he hates sin, loves holiness, and is dying to selfishness.

We are in danger of thinking that the purifying process is over, when it has but just commenced. We must be tried on every point. We must pass through the fires. The crucible must be heated more and more till the dross of sin is all removed, and the glorious image of Christ is seen in us. While passing through severe trials, we must bear in mind that the eye of Jesus is upon us; that his great and tender heart feels for us; that he prays for us, is able to succor us, and will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able to bear. His grace is sufficient, if we accept it and improve upon it. He who has helped us through one trial, is able to help us through another; yea, through all our remaining trials. And the more we suffer, the more our power of endurance is increased. As our day, so shall our strength be.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE.

Experience is knowledge obtained through practice. This is more costly than ordinary knowledge, and it is far more precious. Many do not make a proper distinction between the two, and, as a result, do not cherish proper respect for those who have had years of experience under varied, trying, and perplexing circumstances. Nothing is more unbecoming than for a novice to be over-critical and fault-finding with tried veterans who have not been set aside by God or their brethren. It is a sure sign of spiritual pride. It were wiser for such to put their shoulders under the heavy burdens of those who have long borne the heat and burden of the day, and brace them up by cheering words. By so doing, they would obtain an experience, and become useful men and women, instead of thwarting the purposes of God and their brethren respecting them.

CLASHING OF WILLS.

I have recently read in a testimony from a practical writer, that nearly all church and family trials grow out of a clashing of wills. This is very true. One will take a rash and premature stand, and will not yield an iota; another will follow the same example, and then another, until boisterous scenes occur, which often disgrace families and churches. Even murders have resulted from unyielding stubbornness about

trifles, each one being determined to have his or her own way.

Some have so long been accustomed to having their own way, that it seems natural for them to oppose everything that is proposed to them. It is right to be firm in matters of conscience, in which right and wrong are involved; but there are cases in which we can all yield without doing violence to conscience; and especially should those who lead others set an example in this respect. They will not lose, but gain much, by such a course. Others will yield to them in matters of right.

It is a true saying that “yielding pacifieth great offenses.” Eccl. 10:4. “A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger.” Prov. 15:1. By taking revenge of an injury, we are only even with our enemy; but by passing over it, we are superior. And a more glorious victory cannot be obtained than to return kindness for injury. Those who give way to passion, and speak angry words, manifest real weakness of soul. They may at times think they gain victories over their enemies; but they are overcome by Satan and their own corrupt propensities.

LABOR WHEN UNAPPRECIATED.

If we labor only when appreciated, we shall come far short of evincing that true missionary spirit which Christ has manifested to save us. He labored for us when we were his ungrateful enemies; and so must we often do for our fellow-men if we would persuade them to be Christians. We must expect that they will not appreciate us at first, and most of them never will; but we must not stop for that. If we do, we shall show that we are governed by selfishness, and not by love. If we were generally appreciated, it would be evidence that we were of the world, and were governed by worldly principles. Worldlings go by the plan of reciprocation. They love those who love them; and the Saviour teaches that they have no reward awaiting them in the next world. They work for appreciation and pay in this world, and they will have their portion in this world. Let us seek to be prized of God by manifesting to others the love with which Christ has loved us,—the love that acts, when it is unappreciated and is acted against, and secures a great reward to the disinterested, self-denying ones.