The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 323

soon to die, but born into Christ to lh-e for ever. When lost from the world he will he fonnd st,ill in Christ. Hie connection with the world is temporal, but hie conncotlon with Christ; i_s et.ern_nl. The requirements o_f phyeiod. life _will soon be nt an end, lint thC1~e of epmtual hfe are coeval with the hfo of Christ lnm~elf. Circ11metance11 will ine'"itRhly brCRk our connection with this worl<I; but" who shall soparate us from the love of Christ?" etc. Il. THAT WHIOH THE CHRISTIAN HAS IN TllE W0ALD IS VEUY DIFFETtl!:NT ll'UOM WHAT HE BAB IN CHRr~T. 1. He has t,ihulation in t!M world. Not in the matorial world. Tb.is le as kind to him, and perhaps more eo, than to any. The material world has ere this been rather partial to the Christian. This is very natural. He is on the &ide of nnd friendly wit.hits Aut.hor, Proprietor, and Ruler, and hRS special c11pacities to re'!.\ly appropriate and enjoy it. The world in which he has tribulation is the wicked ignorant, religious, ecclesiastiC1Ll, bigoted, and intolerant world. This is the world which worried the patriarchs, killed the prophets, m_artyred the apostles, and persecuted and butchered believers through many age.s. And the wicked world is still full of the genius of tribulation. 2. He haa peace in Christ. There is no peace in the world; there is no tribulation in Christ, but unmixed peace. One of his names is the Prince of Peace, and the motto of his kingdom is "Poace on earth, and ii;ood will." He is the Author, Medium, e.nd Supporter of Divine peace to all connected with him by faith. 3. lle has tribulation in the W<Jf'ld because he has peace in Christ. (1) The passage between the world and Ohri8t is rough. In a sense it is but a narrow sea, but the l1ostile world and its prince from within and without mana~e to make it generally storm~·. Many have commence:! the voyage and almost reached the shore, but were swept ha.ck by the storm. That young man who came to Christ askincr, "What must I do," etc., almost had reached "the Rock of ages," but was dashed b~k by an awful wave of worldliness, and was disheartened. (2) The passage through the world in Chi-ist is f'<lU{Jh, He is safe in Christ, but C1Lnnot reach the desired haven without storms and hurricanes. If a man is in Christ, he must steer through the same course, and, if so, must go through tribnlation, shame, persecution, and perhaps martyrdom. Whoever haa invariably fine wenther on the Christian voyage may well question whether be is ic the right vess,;l and in the right course. For "through much tribulation ye must," etc. Some may fare better than others, but it is ever true that " whoever will live godly in Christ Jesus &ball sufferpersecntion." The nearer to Jesus the greater the tribulation of the world. 4. TIM Christian has peace in Christ because he has tribulation in the world. Those who have the world's frowns have Jesus' smiles. At every point the world troubles Jesus has provided special peace. At every stage of t 1e voyage there is a harbour of refuge, and at every port there is a" Sailors' Home." When persecuted in Christ we can bless our persecuton;; when misjudged by a selfish world we can well wait in him for the day of revelation and redress. When the Christian has most tribulation in the world then he bes most peace in Christ-then he needs and is driven for it. It was never so dark with Stephen as when under that terrible shower of stones; but it was never so bright between him and above,-then he saw heaven opened, and the "Son of man," etc. When Paul and Silas were in chains in the world, then they sang in Christ. When the world banished the beloved disciple, then he was received into Christ's inner court of revelation and peace. III. THAT ALL WHICH CHRIST SA.ID AND DID ON EARTH WAS IN ORDER THAT SI8 PEACE SHOULD OUTWEIGH THE TRIBULATION OF THE WORLD. .. These things," etc. Notice: 1. W71at he said as a source of peace. (1) He foretold the tribulation q/ the 'IJJQr/,d. He faithfully drew the map of their pilgrimage, and indicated their suffer- ings in red lines and marks. No tribulation, however severe, could take them by surprise. And to be forewarned is to be forearmed. (2) He explained to them ita r.ature, degree, cautJeS, and effects, and how to hehli.ve in it. He describes the tribulation as only limited and temporary, and, under his grac,ious direction and influence, sanctifying and spiritually advantageous. It is a tonic to the soul, a furnace to purify, a. storm to blow them from the material to the spiritual, and ultimately from a foreign and hostile land to their peaceful home. (3) He pointed them to an infiniu Source of comfort. "The.tin me ye mJJ.Y," etc. Himself as a Source of peace, be describes as never failing, ever near, and most communicative and satisfying. The cruellest storms of tribnlation ~n only drive the Christian nearer to the Sovrcc of peace, and its last wave can only ea. xv,. 1-38.J 'l'HE GOSPEL ACCORDING ·ro 8T. JOHN. 3?,3