300. Is There Any Consolation in Christ?

We find consolation in Christ after we have done the will of God. This consolation is in the fellowship of His sufferings. When our consolation is in Christ, it is in His body—the body where we suffer death according to the flesh. Those who overcome receive consolation. Those who fall are not consoled. They are convicted of sin, punished, and exhorted. When Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness in various ways, angels came and ministered to Him and consoled Him. Matt. 4:11. “Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee.” Luke 4:14.

We are consoled in the same way that Jesus was consoled. This is the consolation in Christ. First we are tempted in various ways, and then we come into sufferings, just as Jesus also suffered when He was tempted. Then we are consoled just like the Master was consoled in the days of His flesh.

Is there any comfort of love? Yes, if we love Jesus Christ, because then we keep His commandments. Then He will come to us and abide in us. This is the reciprocal comfort of love—a love like the love between the Father and the Son.

Is there any fellowship of the Spirit? Yes, when we obey the Spirit and overcome in His power in the temptations, then there is a fellowship of the Spirit. But if we suffer defeat, fellowship is broken—both our fellowship with God and our fellowship with other people. Fellowship of the Spirit is something very few Christians know about. It is as unknown as living a victorious life and suffering in the flesh. If they knew more about the fellowship of the sufferings of Christ, they would understand more about the fellowship and consolation of the Spirit.

Is there any affection and mercy? Yes, there is affection and mercy for those who endure temptation. For our faithful High Priest was tempted in all points as we are, yet He never fell in sin; He was without sin, without offense. When He was tempted, He suffered, and therefore He can sympathize with us. All of the brothers who have had to suffer in the flesh to overcome in temptation can sympathize with us and show mercy. This is how fellowship increases; then the comfort of love is active, and affection and mercy become apparent.

But when we are tempted and fall in sin, the flesh is comforted and our own will is satisfied. Satan and the flesh are victorious, the fellowship in the Spirit is broken, and the world with all its folly makes inroads into our heart. Unrest and confusion capture our soul.

How exceedingly vital it is to remain standing in our trials!