They were purified in the furnace of affliction. For Jesus’ sake they endured opposition, hatred, calumny. They followed Him through conflicts sore; they endured self-denial and experienced bitter disappointments. By their own painful experience they learned the evil of sin, its power, its guilt, its woe; and they look upon it with abhorrence. A sense of the infinite sacrifice made for its cure, humbles them in their own sight, and fills their hearts with gratitude and praise which those who have never fallen cannot appreciate. They love much, because they have been forgiven much. Having been partakers of Christ’s sufferings, they are fitted to be partakers with Him of His glory. {FLB 142.4}

De blev renset i lidelsernes ildovn. For Jesu skyld udholdt de modstand, had og bagtalelse. De fulgte ham gennem konflikternes sår; de tålte selvfornægtelse og erfarede bitre skuffelser. Ved deres egne smertelige erfaring lærte de syndens onde, dens magt, dens skyld, dens ve; og de så på den med afsky. En fornemmelse af det uendelige offer, der blev gjort mod dens fremkomst, ydmyger dem i deres egne øjne, og fylder deres hjerter med en tak og pris, som dem der aldrig faldt ikke kan fatte. De elsker meget, fordi de er blevet tilgivet så meget. Ved at få del i Kristi lidelser, er de egnet til at få del med Ham i Hans herlighed.