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1912 Watch Tower - A2Z.org

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of Christ's sufferings; that when His glory shallbe revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy areye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you;on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He isglorified." (I Peter 4:12-14.) The Lord is to be notonly the Instructor, but also the Refiner to purge out thedross, that we may be made ready to share with Christin the Kingdom of "glory, honor and immortality."--Rom. 2:7.TRIALS FROM FALSE BRETHRENThe Scriptures plainly teach that special trials may beexpected in the Church, amongst the brethren. And wefind it to be true that our severest trials come not fromwithout, but, as the Apostle in substance says, "Fromamong yourselves shall arise false brethren," to injure theflock in general through personal ambition. (Acts 20:30.)This becomes a test not only to the Church, but to allthose who are in contact with us, for if one membersuffer, all the members suffer with it.--I Cor. 12:26.We are not, therefore, to think it strange if thereare trials and difficulties, and if more or less dispute arisein the Church. We are to cultivate gentleness, meekness,patience, loving-kindness toward all. Nevertheless, if adispute arise amongst the Lord's people, we are to recognizethat such things are unavoidable amongst those whohave the Truth. Our heads are imperfect, and consequentlyit requires some time to come into line with theteachings of the Lord's Word. Even disputation makeslife an activity, and is better than a dead condition--notto care what is spoken or not spoken. Nevertheless,those who have zeal should be careful that they manifestthe Spirit of the Lord, as above indicated--gentleness,patience, meekness, brotherly kindness, love, humility.Think it not strange that there are fiery trials amongstyourselves, arising from one cause or another, that willmake it particularly severe for you. Those amongwhom you are thrown in contact will cause you suffering,because of your zeal and their misunderstanding, theirimperfection, etc. Similarly, you may be a cause of trialto others. All of these fiery trials will work out goodfor you. It is far better to be amongst those who arefervent in spirit than to take a place amongst those whoare lukewarm and thus lose the privilege of being oneof those who are footstep followers of Christ. Perhapsthose who are lukewarm will, in the Time of Trouble,learn a lesson. But the Little Flock are to learn theirlesson in the present time--allowing the experiences oflife to work out for them a far more exceeding andeternal weight of glory.--2 Cor. 4:17.Our knowledge of God is limited; yet it is only whatwe should expect of the Heavenly Father, that anywhom He accepts as His children will have Divine loveand care in the supervision of their affairs, which will

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