The right path is still the "narrow path" of self-abasement and self-denial—the path of meekness and humility—and it will require as much effort and grace to walk it this year as last, or possibly more; for the more we grow in grace and knowledge, the stronger will be the temptations to be boastful, puffed up, heady, high-minded; and the higher we climb in faith and hope and love and activity in the Lord's service, the more the great Adversary will oppose our progress, and the more his emissaries will slander, backbite and generally seek to injure us.
God's mouthpieces have ever been the targets of much abuse and the subjects of much suffering, which, like God, they have borne with much patience. Therein they have given an example worthy of imitation by all who would be the Lord's people and mouthpieces. The Lord's true people will be profited by taking them as an example and the Lord's name will thereby be glorified.
2 Tim. 3:16; 1 Pet. 1:11; 2 Pet. 1:20, 21; 2 Cor. 4:16-18; 2 Tim. 2:10-12; 1 Pet. 3:13-18; 4:13-19; Matt. 5:10-12; 23:34, 37; Luke 6:22, 23, 26; Acts 5:41; 7:52; 2 Chron. 36:16; Neh. 9:26; 1 Thes. 2:15; Job 1:22; 2:10; 42:10.
