There is much sorrow to be had. Sorrow for a world gone astray; sorrow for the blind who love their blindness; sorrow for the church becoming like the world, blaspheming the name of Jesus Christ.
The hand of the Lord will draw the church unto Himself, naming the names worthy of the calling of Christ, to become His unadulterated bride. O, how many will fall away, especially those who gather to the house of God who never obeyed His commands. The Lord will say to these, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness." Oh, how I long for the season where God will separate the wheat from the tares, that the church will once again be named by the calling of Christ.
So, I will explore the practice of being sorrowful. Not for the sake of piety, but for the love of the church, so I will be lifted when the church is lifted from its slumber. I have no hope to be awakened with the church from its slumber without sharing in the sorrow of Christ displayed on the cross for His beloved.
Because the grace of God is sufficient to the sufferings of Christ. Therefore, through sorrow, I can freely rejoice in thankfulness and worship of the living God who rose from the dead. Oh how sorrowful the cross of Christ, that we can be lifted to join in the sufferings of Christ⎯the true works of the gospel!
I wish I could explain my joy, for it is in gratitude that I rejoice! Because I know that suffering in obedience to Christ is the assurance of my salvation, that His grace is sufficient for me to obey His commands to the end, that my name be written among those, who are the church and the bride, in the Book of Life!
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