18. The blood of Jesus Christ is the measure by which we are to limit our obedience to God; even as did Christ., As it is written (Heb. 12:1-41Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 4Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. (Hebrews 12:1‑4)), " Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin." This Jesus did-0 holy honor! may we desire to be like Him in all things; conformed to the fellowship of His sufferings, that we may be also to the likeness of His glory.
Suffering (I would notice) and affliction, and tribulation, are here inevitable. Man is born to misery as the sparks fly upward. God does not change this with His people; but I may suffer with and for Christ, having the joy of the Father's love, and all the sweetness of His presence and promises to comfort me, while I leave the world, and mortify the flesh with its affections and lusts, always more than conqueror through Him that loved me; or I may stiffer for being an inconsistent disciple, while endeavoring to avoid the cross; and then I shall have the feeling, God is chastening me, and doubt as to futurity perhaps. Abraham found God could make the world, which he for God's sake had renounced, a place for discovering God's grace and his own high calling in; Lot found the world, not renounced, could hide even God's favor toward him and his calling; so that he had to pick up life and liberty at faithful Abraham's feet. Which would you be like?