Shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? That we might be partakers of his holiness. Heb. 12:9, 10.

On the side of unbelievers is a darkened world. On the side of Christ is an enlightened world. When the darkness of trial comes upon us, God illuminates our minds. He becomes our strength in the midst of weakness. All this He does to an extraordinary degree when we turn to Him and trust Him.

For the most part we are anxious for increased good health, the reduction of life's cares and anxieties, escape from loss, grief, and tribulation. We want God to temper life by making it less difficult. But this is not usually God's way. He does not lessen the trials and difficulties so much as He lifts and strengthens the heart and mind within us. "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Cor. 12:9).

We must be as desirous for more Christian character as we are for fewer thorns. God's love is never more revealed than when He strengthens us to live triumphantly and radiantly in the face of trial. We must praise God more for what He makes of us than for what He gives us in the way of earthly blessings. If sickness has taken hold upon you, God will make sure it will rob you of nothing. If you have been reduced to poverty, the richness of your heart in Christ shall be the measure of your crown and treasure in heaven. If some thorn in the flesh has appeared to impoverish your ability and service, God shall enrich you an hundredfold in His kingdom. God's redemptive work will be done in you.

We believe in the love, the unselfishness, the righteousness, and the sacrifice that we see in Christ. We plan to put on the robe of Christ's righteousness and the character that goes with it. But this is more than a pious exercise, more than a religious routine.

Are we willing to pay the price to be made like Jesus? Christ said it was going to cost us something to follow Him. He means business. Do we? Let us go forth with renewed faith and courage. It is said of the righteous, "He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid" (Ps. 112:7, 8).