It is clear that afflictions are trials of faith as well as chastening; so we ought not to suppose that what happens to us is always for the purpose of chastening, properly so-called. There is discipline as well as chastening; that is what purifies, what helps to mortify the flesh, what breaks the will, and helps by an inward work to shelter us from outward temptations. Otherwise, these temptations would surprise us, because of the innate levity of the heart, which yields itself to vanity so easily, if there is nothing to counterbalance it. I do not speak of outward levity, but of this tendency to forget the presence of God, which is so natural to us. There are then chastening, discipline, and the trying of faith. Chastening ought to affect the conscience, awakening it as to any failure (through the operation of the Holy Spirit which accompanies it), but at the same time the work is not done until the root of the failure is discovered to the conscience, and this applies to all sorts of discipline.
Lack of Dependence and Pride
Lack of dependence on God and pride may cause us to fall into many failures; the soul is not restored before that which has given occasion to these failures is judged in the heart. Discipline applies rather to the condition of the soul. There are things like negligence, pride, inward forgetfulness of God — a thousand things which need the pruning-knife of the Husbandman—and it is even necessary that things which are not laid bare to the conscience should be hindered from acting upon the heart. The flesh needs to be thus kept in check beforehand.
The Perfecting of the New Creature
But there is a perfecting of the new creature which leaves room for trials: Christ passed through them. Although the new man is in itself perfect, still there is progress. In us these various kinds of trials are mingled; in Christ there was this last only — the experience of what He had not passed through before. Not that He was not always perfect, but He “learned obedience by the things which he suffered”; His faith and His obedience were put to the test by circumstances ever becoming more difficult, and this even to death. His perfection was not to act, but to suffer; in suffering there was a more entire surrender of Himself. It was so likewise with the Apostle Paul; we find this more particularly in Philippians. God allows the enemy to put difficulties in the path of the new man. A trial comes; the energy of the new man is exercised by it; it is strengthened by it, and in the end it gains the victory. If one does not act according to faith, one shrinks back, one loses joy, or at least the light of the Holy Spirit. The new man, while perfect in his nature, is a dependent being. This is the place which was taken by Christ.
The Old Man and the New
Sometimes external trials are necessary, that we may distinguish between what is of the old man and of the new, which are often confounded in our deceitful hearts. When there remains in the heart any groan which is not uttered to God as to a God of grace, any distrust of Him, it is the flesh and the work of the enemy. When we do not go forward when God has shown the way, because of some difficulty, the flesh acts, and the Spirit is grieved. Have confidence in Him, and rejoice in His love. We may be cast down at times (although scarcely ever without some want of faith), and yet everything goes on well, if we bring it all to God. If it is trial only, we shall certainly be comforted; if there is failure in us, it will be discovered there. However matters stand, let us go to Him; His peace shall keep our hearts.
J. N. Darby (adapted)