“Oh, but!” asks someone, “do saints sell Christ like that?” No, not they; these are only the ‘professors’ who have mingled with the saints. These are like the ‘mixed multitude’ that came out of Egypt with the children of Israel; howbeit they are not all Israel that are of Israel.
The saints sell Christ? No, they are too much like their Master to do that. You recollect how Satan took their Master to the top of a high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them, and said, “All these things will I give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Wicked thief! It was not his to give; yet he tempted Christ in that way, but Jesus answered, “Get you hence, Satan: for it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.”
If any of Christ’s followers are tempted in the same fashion, let them give the same reply. All the substance of the devil’s house could not win the love of that man who has set his affection on Jesus. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” The cruel Romanists have taken the martyrs into the lone dungeon of the Inquisition, and tormented them there in such a way that it pains us even to read or hear of what they suffered. But did they give up Christ? No, not they; they never would.
At other times, they have taken the Christians into a palace, and said, “We will clothe you in scarlet and fine linen; you shall fare sumptuously every day; but you must give up Christ.” Yet they would not. All the substance of this world has been laid at the feet of holy men, and they have rejected the price with scorn. I know men today, and rejoice to know them, who have sacrificed honor and position among men, who have borne abuse and scorn, and have been glad to bear it, and counted it their privilege that they were not only permitted to have Christ as their Savior, but also that they were allowed to suffer for his sake. O brethren and sisters, may the Lord so clothe us with the whole armor of righteousness that no temptation may ever be able to wound our love to Jesus! Let us feel, “We can let all else go, but we can never let him go.” “If on my face for his dear name, Shame and reproaches be,” there let them be for his sake. Give me but a vision of the Crucified, let me see that thorn-crowned brow, let me but gaze into his dear languid eyes so full of love for me, and I will then say, “My Master, through floods or flames, if you shall lead, I’ll follow where you go. When the many turn aside, I will still cling to you, and witness that you have the living Word, and that there is none upon earth that I desire beside you. I will give up the treasures of Egypt, for I have respect unto the recompense of the reward. I will let the ingots of gold go, every one of them, I will cast them into the sea without regret; but if you will abide in the vessel, my soul shall be content. Bind me to your altar, for I am but flesh and blood, and may start aside in the trial-hour. Cast the links of your love about me; chain me to yourself; ay, crucify me; nail me to your cross, and let me be dead to the world, for then the world will leave off tempting a corpse. Let me be dead with you, for then the world, that cast you out, may cast me out, too, and have done with me; and it were well then to be counted as the offscouring of all things for your dear sake, my Lord!” If a man should give all the substance of his house to bribe the saints to sell their Lord, it would utterly be scorned. By this test shall we prove you, O professors! By this trial shall it be known whether you can stand firm in the evil day. God grant that you may, for our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake! Amen.
“This article originally appeared here at Bible Bulletin Board.”
