The Other Half

The Other Half

One half of Christianity is to do good yourself; the other half consists of bearing the evil that others commit.

These two parts taken together form the core to which the shell belongs—the outer part. The shell has its uses if there is a core, but otherwise it is useless.

Nevertheless, people are mainly occupied with the shell; and what is even worse, they are only occupied with it. 2 Cor. 10:7, first sentence.

Then, they dwell a little bit on the first half of the core, and lastly they think even less and much too late on the other half: bearing the evil.

It is somewhat late to begin to think about bearing the evil when it suddenly appears, when you suddenly encounter it, when it suddenly rages against you from the front and from behind. We can read much about it in the Scriptures, both when it concerns the doctrine and the life. We should know and believe with all of our heart that we are called to suffer and to endure evil just as much as we are called to do good! Let us eat and ponder one scripture after another when it concerns this so that we are amply nourished and armed to accept all kinds of evil from friends and enemies!

We ought to test ourselves by imagining such incidents in order to find out if we have a living faith when it is a question of bearing the evil when it appears. If we discover that we do not have it, we must see to it that we are saved as quickly as possible from the very folly in us that causes us not to be able to endure it: such as ambition, anxiety, love of money, pride, and an inclination to justify ourselves and avenge ourselves.

We have not only been given examples and patterns to follow in doing good, but also in enduring evil. “For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself . . . .” Heb. 12:3. “My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.” Jas. 5:10.

Indeed, we need to consider the pattern carefully if we are to follow His example! That is precisely the purpose for having a pattern! James mentions Job in passing. You have heard of the patience of Job, he says. I don’t know if you, dear friend, have actually heard of his patience? But read about it in Job from Chapter 1:13 until and including Chapter 2:10.

Not many people have measured up to Job’s standard in this world, yet there is ample opportunity to do it—and to do it even better! Everything that is needed to do it is at the disposal of every one of us.

The most common thing is that people endure nothing or very little; we can say that they barely tolerate a mosquito looking at them. People become offended, sore, cranky, disagreeable, angry, anxious, discouraged and despondent; they lose their composure and are inclined to give up, become jealous, envious, wanting to avenge themselves for the least little thing.

If a cup breaks, they lose their composure for a whole minute or more; if a piece of silver cutlery is missing, they can’t sleep at night and are filled with zeal against the sinners. If a brother should fail to make good on his financial obligations of a few thousand crowns, they hire a lawyer and take him to court. He is filled with bitterness if he loses all his property, complains against the good God, and doubts that He loves us or even that He exists! They are many miles away from where the Hebrews once were: “And joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.” Heb. 10:34. Neither are they any closer to Jesus’ own words: “If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.” Matt. 5:40. However, they live in full harmony with 1 Corinthians 6:6. This referred to their possessions and money. Then anxiety and greed live in the heart!

It is no better when it concerns a person’s honor. If they are not paid much attention, if they are not smiled at sufficiently, bowed to and offered enough chairs to choose from, or if they are not sufficiently fussed over, their honor is profoundly violated, and they begin to figure out how unlovingly and unjustly they are being treated, how few signs of affection of various kinds they have been shown, and how few invitations and visits they have received. They think that no one bothers about them and how little appreciated they are. Alas! Alas! What folly! If a brother should (for one reason or another) pass them in the street without greeting them, they feel hurt in the depths of their soul and easily discover with all certainty how immeasurably much they are being despised for Christ’s sake and that it is in fact quite a feat on their part not to become completely hardened. If others were to be tested that severely, one couldn’t even expect them to overcome, they think. Alas! Alas! What an inordinate desire for honor!

If a person were to hear that someone had said that they didn’t think what he had done was very good, he would become cross and offended for a longer or shorter period of time. If anyone has backbitten him or spoken badly about him, bitter envy is kindled, causing him to look askance at the person for a long time, remembering it well so that he can avenge himself given an opportune moment. If he is reviled, he defends himself to the best of his ability and reviles in return, and if he is slapped on the one cheek, he does something that is totally different from turning the other cheek, as the blessed doctrine of Christ teaches!

One is even further away from calling one’s Judas “friend.” Matt. 26:48-50.

How can you then possibly fulfill and be to the praise of the doctrine of Christ—to follow His example and act accordingly??? By getting rid of all the malice and wretchedness that hinders it and excludes it!!!

And how does this occur? It occurs by you hating and judging yourself (but not your neighbor) without end! By the obedience of faith! By cleansing and purifying yourself, cleansing and purifying yourself—without ceasing!!! Will it succeed then? Yes!