Thomas Watson's Quote on Affliction
I always felt asking myself, "Why Lord?" whenever times of trouble come. Nobody really wants to be in times of trouble for most of the time. Looking at the promises of the Bible, you can see more times that the Bible warns of persecution than it promises prosperity. At first, it makes God look unjust and cruel but take a look at the quote of the Puritan preacher, Thomas Watson on what he said about the affliction of the saints comparing them to diamonds that are being cut. In real life, the more finely cut a diamond is, the more beautiful it is to look upon and the more expensive it is.
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| A rough diamond vs. the cut diamond shows the immature believer and the Christian only after affliction |
A dull diamond would never sell compared to a finely cut diamond. Take a look at the picture above of the uncut diamond vs. the finished, cut diamond. The uncut diamond can represent the Christian prior to affliction and persecution as they are still dull. Remember that the uncut diamond must pass through a careful cutting process before it's worthy of being sold to the highest bidder. God is not unwise when He allows His children to pass through affliction because He knows what He's doing.
When somebody falsely accuses me of something that I am not, God is not only teaching me a lesson in keeping my cool but He's also teaching me to be more patient in handling others so I can become an effective witness and to truly apply 1 Peter 3:15-16 that gives the command, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ."
1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." Why can I say it won't be beyond that I can bear? It's because every believer is in Christ. The truly saved people may have some problems now but they are destined to endure to the end by God's grace, like a true diamond survives the cutting process compared to a fake diamond. A real diamond survives because it's a diamond and a fake diamond perishes because it's not a diamond. When God saves a person, He does not merely make them, "Okay, I saved you by grace, you're on your own to keep it." but instead, "By grace, you will endure to the end."
Looking at John Calvin's quote, he said, "Men are more undoubtedly in danger from their own prosperity than from adversity. For when matters go smoothly, they flatter themselves and are intoxicated by their success." James 1:2-4 says, "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." and 1 Peter 1:7 says, "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:"
When I look at countries where Christianity is heavily persecuted, it's easy to see them sparkle brighter than in countries where they are not. One good example is how the more ridiculed a man of God is, the more boldly he preaches. A Christian at first may feel angry and bitter about the trials and afflictions that they must face because of immaturity but the Holy Spirit keeps from completely falling away. But it's during the times of persecution that the fellowship with God tends to be sweeter than during the times of prosperity. Ecclesiastes 7:14 says, "In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him."