The Watchtower Society and John and Morton Edgar - A2Z.org

tneir salvation perfect tbraugh sufferings " (Heb. 2 : 10).The trials with which God permitted Satan to tempt ourLord Jesus were the same as those which we endure. Hewas,,"in all points tempted like as we are, yet withoutnn (Heb. 4 : 16).The more trials we have, if we an: rightly exercised bythem, the better we are enabled to sympathise with ourbrethren in their sufferings, not only with those of themwho are rejoicing in the light of present truth, but also. with such as are still in bondage in the nominal system,or are out in the wilderness condition disgusted with allprofessions of religion. The more we sympathise withthem, the more of our time, money, talents, influence, andenergies do we surrender for their temporal and especiallyfor their spiritual interests. We do not consider ourselvesfirst and our brethren afterwards, but the reverse of this.We lay down our lives, our human vitality, for them, justas the blossoms lay down their lives for one another.One very important fact to remember is that the blossomshave nothing whatever to do with sending the insectsto the other blossoms. Though we know that the trialswhich come to us as New Creatures work together for ourspiritual good, and are therefore essential for us, we havenothing to do with putting trials upon others. As Jesussaid : " It must needs be that offences come, !yt woeunto him through whom the offence cometh 1 TheLord will permit Satan and all who are willing to be hisagents to place trials upon the brethren, knowing thatthese will act as tests for them, and, if rightly used, willenable them to become more developed spiritually, butthe Lord's vengeance will surely come sooner or laterupon all "through whom the offence cometh." Godforbid that any of us should act as agents of Satan in this.or any other way I If we should happen to be led intoplacing trials upon the brethren, let us confess our srne at29