Page 171 - Evidence of Things Unseen

abasement as well. Consider how many of Christ’s disciples named in Scripture were
accused of transgression and subjected to imprisonment, beatings, or worse. Among those
named are Peter, James, John, Paul and Timothy. Some of these repeatedly were numbered
among the transgressors. This is the lot and privilege of those who would follow in the
footsteps of Christ. To yield to be led of the Spirit as Christ was, is to embrace a life of
humility, of shame and reproach.
I write these words from jail. It is now the second time I have been placed in here as
I have sought to remain faithful to the call of God on my life. One of the first things that
occurs as a man is put in jail is that his clothes are taken from him and a prison jumpsuit
is given to him. I am wearing a bright orange jumpsuit. On the back in bold letters are
emblazoned the words, “Houston County Jail.” I am marked as a transgressor and share a
domicile with thieves, murderers, and men accused of violent offenses and drug trafficking.
Joseph shared a place with similar offenders. Christ was hung between two thieves.
What do these experiences signify? What is their purpose? I believe the answer is
found in the garments. Yahweh wants to clothe His sons in garments of humility. Those
destined to receive ruling authority and power must be exceedingly humble. Joseph was
chosen by God to be elevated to the second position in the greatest nation on earth. Christ
has been exalted to the right hand of God where all power and authority has been given to
Him. Those who can endure patiently being abased, being content in the knowledge that
such is the will of God, prove by their submissive spirit that it is God’s will and pleasure that
is uppermost in their mind.
Experiences of abasement, suffering, and reproach, when endured in the Spirit of
Christ, produce a meekness in a man that is not present in the Adamic nature. Being willing
to sink lower than one’s normal situation in life, lower even than one’s companions,
produces a humility in a man that is highly esteemed in the eyes of God. It is He who
inspired the words to be written, “God gives grace to the humble, but resists the proud.”
In being willing to sink lower, to be as David when he danced with abandon before
Yahweh, testifying “I will be more vile than this, and will be humble even in my own sight...”
(2 Samuel 6:22), finds great favor with God. Such an attitude is a great contrast to Satan
when he declared, “I will ascend..., I will exalt my throne above the stars of God..., I will be
like the Most High” (Isaiah 14:13-14). On the one hand there is a willingness to sink lower
to satisfy the will of God. On the other hand is manifested a pride that is discontented with
one’s appointed station, demanding ever to rise above others.
Sinking lower, becoming humble and vile in one’s own sight, is a great trial to the soul
of man. The soul must be crushed as an olive in the olive press. There are times when this
crushing causes even godly men to cry out in their distress. As Christ viewed the cup of
suffering His Father presented to Him at Gethsemane (interpreted - “olive press”), He cried
out, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death...” (Mark 14:34). Sinking lower yet,
Christ uttered the words that always glorify the Father, “Nevertheless, not My will, but Thy
will be done” (Mark 14:36).
In a sense, the first time the disciples of Christ are stripped of their garments they
embrace becoming “of no reputation.” They willingly lay aside all that they previously
gloried in. The apostle Paul recounted his former reputation; A Hebrew of the Hebrews;
born of the tribe of Benjamin. He was zealous, joining the strictest sect of the Pharisees. He
was educated in the school of Gamaliel. As to the righteousness found in the law, he was
accounted as a perfect man. This same Paul testified, “Those things that were gain to me,
I considered loss.” He compared them to dung that he might gain Christ.