DISCOURSE: 1441
THE REWARD OF THOSE WHO SUFFER FOR CHRIST
Mark 10:28-30. Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the Gospel’s, but he shall receive an hundred-fold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come, eternal life.
THROUGH the corruption of our nature, the defects of others are apt to raise us in our own estimation, and to afford us occasion for self-applause. This ought not to be: for the faults of others should be lamented, no less than our own, because they are injurious to the souls of men: and, if we ourselves are free from those faults, we have reason to glorify God for his grace, which alone has made us to differ from others. We have in the context a lamentable instance of human weakness; a young man, of exemplary habits, who, on being required to sell all that he had, and to give it to the poor, and follow Christ, went away sorrowful; grieved to part with Christ, but preferring his wealth before him. Peter beholding this, began to reflect with complacency on the different conduct which he, and his fellow-Apostles, had pursued: they had left all for Christ: and, as our Lord had told the young man, that he, if he complied with his counsel, should “have treasure in heaven,” Peter asked, what recompence should be made to him and his brethren for the sacrifices which they had made in the cause of Christ; “We have forsaken all, and followed thee: what shall we have therefore [Note: See Matthew 19:27.]?”
This inquiry is the first thing for our present consideration—
[Though the Apostles were poor, their all was as much to them, as it would have been if they had been richer: nor can we doubt, but that the surrender of it was as acceptable to God, as if the sacrifice had been more costly: “it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not [Note: 2 Corinthians 8:12.].” This sacrifice was required of them, and they had offered it without hesitation; they could truly say, they “had left all for Christ;” and they had thereby approved themselves worthy of their descent from him, who, at God’s command, had offered his only son Isaac upon the altar. Nor are we to imagine that the duty was peculiar to them: it is as much our duty, as it was theirs, to leave all for Christ. We are not indeed called, like the Apostles, to forsake our worldly callings in order to wait as stated attendants on our Lord: we are rather to “abide in our callings wherein we are called:” but we must be willing to sacrifice every thing for Christ, and must actually sacrifice every thing that stands in competition with him: in this respect the whole Christian world are called to the same exercise of faith and self-denial as the Apostles were; every thing sinful must be mortified; and even the most innocent and necessary things must be given up, rather than that we should be drawn by them to the commission of any one sin, or to the neglect of any one duty: we must “hate father and mother, and even our own lives also, in comparison of Christ [Note: Luke 14:26.].”
Under such circumstances Peter’s inquiry seems not unreasonable: for if we are to surrender up every thing to and for Christ, we may well ask, ‘What shall I gain by this? or, What recompence shall I obtain?’ It is not to be expected that God will call us to such trials, and not remunerate us for our fidelity to him. It is true, we can never look for a reward of debt; but a reward of grace we may expect, and that too in proportion to the sacrifices we make, the sufferings we endure, and the services we perform. We are not at liberty to make bargains, as it were, with the Almighty, and to stipulate for so much wages in return for so much service: we must rather enter voluntarily into his service, and cheerfully give up all for him: but after having made the needful sacrifices, we may inquire into the promised recompence of reward. We must, like Abraham, “go out from our country and our kindred, not knowing whither we go [Note: Hebrews 11:8.];” and must trust in God to make all necessary provision for us: and, if he had not specified any thing in his word, we should be contented to continue ignorant of the recompence that he will assign us: but, as he has been pleased to make specific promises to those who trust in him, we cannot do wrong in endeavouring to ascertain their import and extent.]
The answer of our Lord to this inquiry is the next point to be noticed by us—
[St. Matthew records more of our Lord’s answer than either of the other Evangelists. He mentions a part which seems more immediately applicable to the Apostles themselves, who, “in the regeneration” that is, in the day when “God will make all things new,” and “there shall be new heavens and a new earth,” and “when our Lord shall come in his glory to judge the world,” shall be honoured above all other men, being, as it were, assessors with Christ in the Judgment, and having their word as the law by which “the twelve tribes of Israel,” and the whole world, shall be judged [Note: Matthew 19:28.]. St. Mark records that only which was of general use; but still he gives all the satisfaction that the most bereaved and destitute person can desire.
There is a present recompence which all who suffer loss for Christ Ehall receive; and that too exceedingly beyond any loss they can possibly sustain. It is taken for granted that they may lose the affection of all their most endeared relatives for their attachment to the Gospel; and that they may be deprived of all that they possess in the world: but God will often send them such supplies in another way, that they shall in reality sustain no loss at all: but, if he does not recompense them in this way, he will give them “contentment, which with godliness is great gain;” and such an increased enjoyment of their slender pittance, as shall be far sweeter than all the delicacies upon earth. He will “shed abroad his love in their hearts,” and, under the loss of earthly parents, and an earthly portion, will enable them to call him, Father, and to view heaven itself as their inheritance. Let any one who has experienced these consolations, say, Whether they be not “a hundred fold” greater than all that they ever derived from the possession of earthly comforts even in their richest abundance? — — —
But, besides this, there is a future recompence, even “eternal life,” which shall assuredly be given to all who suffer for Christ in this world: “If we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him,” and “be glorified together,” and have “a weight of glory proportioned” to the trials we endure, and to the graces which we exercise, in his service. But who can estimate the value of that recompence? — — — Suffice it to say, that the veracity of God is pledged for the bestowment of it, and that the blessedness conferred shall exist, as long as God himself exists.]
Address—
1.
Those who hesitate about leaving all for Christ—
[Does a moment’s hesitation become you? Think of your Lord and Saviour: did he hesitate, when an offer was made him to redeem your souls? Did he account the conditions hard, when he had your everlasting salvation in view? No: he gladly left the bosom of his Father, and assumed our nature, and bore our curse, that he might redeem our souls from death and hell [Note: Compare Psalms 40:6-8. with Philippians 2:6-8.]. Do you then hesitate to make any sacrifice for him? Look at Paul; was he intimidated? did he account any thing too much to do or suffer for his Lords [Note: Compare Acts 20:24; Acts 21:13. with Philippians 2:17; Philippians 3:7-8.]? Look at Moses: can you be called to sacrifice more than he? “He esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than all the treasures of Egypt [Note: Hebrews 11:24-26.].” Think not to have an interest in Christ on any lower terms: You must, in heart and affection, forsake all, if you would be his disciples [Note: Luke 14:33.]. The Rich Youth in the Gospel would not accede to these terms: but do you commend him? Do you not look upon him with pity? Do you not think he would change his mind now, if the offer were again made him? O be wise in time! “buy the truth, and sell it not:” be willing to “sell all that you have for that treasure which is hid in the Gospel, and for that pearl of great price [Note: Matthew 13:44-46.].” If, like Amaziah, you reply, “What shall I do for all the talents I shall sacrifice?” I answer with the prophet, “The Lord is able to give thee much more [Note: 2 Chronicles 25:9.].” In fact, your gain will exceed all calculation. If you were a merchant, you would gladly embrace an opportunity of making ten or twenty per cent, of your money, though the return should not be absolutely certain; but here you are promised ten thousand per cent, and it is assured to you by the veracity of God himself. Only “have faith in God,” and all the blessings of“the upper and nether springs,” of time and of eternity, are yours.]
2. Those who, like the Apostles, have left all for him—
[Whatever your losses or sufferings may have been, I congratulate you from my heart: yea, God himself congratulates you [Note: Matthew 5:10-12; 1 Peter 4:12-14.James 1:2-4; James 1:12.]. And I confidently put the question to you, Has any one of you been ever disappointed of his hope? Have you ever been a loser by serving the Lord? Has he not made up to you in spiritual things, what you have sacrificed for him in worldly things? In the pursuit of earthly gratifications you have often paid too dearly for your enjoyments; but have you ever had reason to regret the price you have paid for the maintenance of a good conscience, and for the benefits of the Gospel? After having counted the cost yourself, have you a friend in the world whom you would dissuade from treading in your steps? You still experience “persecutions;” for they are a part of the Promise, if I may so speak: but do you find them so great a drawback upon your happiness, as you once expected? Is an opprobrious name, or the loss of worldly interests, so great a matter as you once imagined? Shew then by your steadfastness, that, “in God’s favour is life;” and that though “you have nothing else, you really possess all things.” To those who are preparing for the ministry, these thoughts are peculiarly important: for this discipline is often sent, in order to prepare you for the service of the sanctuary. You are to stand in the front of the battle: you are to be examples to the flock: and it is by such exercises that you are to be fitted for your work, and to bring down a blessing on your future labours [Note: Deuteronomy 33:9-11.]. Still it is not of you only that these sacrifices are required; nor are you alone to receive the rich compensation that will be awarded for them. This duty is the duty of all; this happiness is the happiness of all: to all therefore, without exception, I would say, “Be faithful unto death, and God will give you a crown of life.”]