Sketches From The Life of Paul
by Ellen G. White
Chapter 27: Caesar's Household
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The Christian who manifests patience and
cheerfulness under bereavement and suffering,
who meets death with the peace and calmness of
an unwavering faith, may accomplish far more
toward overcoming the opposition of the enemies
of the gospel than he could have effected had he
labored with his utmost energy day and night to
bring them to repentance.
When the servants of Christ move actively
through the land to contend against prevailing
errors and superstitions, they are doing the work
which the Lord has given them, standing in defense
of the gospel. But when through Satan's
malice, they are persecuted, their active labor
hindered, and they cast into prison, as was Paul, [p. 294] and finally dragged to the scaffold or the stake,
it is then that truth gains a greater triumph.
Those who before doubted, are convinced of their
sincerity, as they thus seal their faith with
their blood. From the martyr's ashes springs an
abundant harvest for the garner of God.
Let no one feel that because he is no longer
able to labor openly and actively for God and
his truth, he has no service to render, no reward
to secure. A true Christian is never laid aside.
God will use him effectually in health and in
sickness, in life and in death. It is in the darkness
of affliction, bereavement, trial, and persecution,
that the light of Christian faith shines
brightest, and the Lord's promises are found
most precious. And when the grave receives the
child of God, he being dead yet speaketh. His
works do follow him. The memory of his words
of admonition and encouragement, of his steadfast
adherence to the truth under all circumstances,
speaks more powerfully than even his
living example.
Patience as well as courage has its victories.
Converts may be made by meekness in trial, no
less than by boldness in enterprise. If Christians
would be reconciled to the apparent
suspension of their usefulness, and would cheerfully
rest from the strife, and lay off the burden of
labor, they would learn sweet lessons at the feet
of Jesus, and would see that their Master is
using them as effectively when they seem to be
withdrawn from employment, as when in more
active labor.
When the Christian churches first learned that
Paul contemplated a visit to Rome, they looked
forward to a signal triumph of the gospel. Paul [p. 295] had borne the truth to many lands; he had proclaimed
it in great cities. Might not this champion
of the faith succeed in winning souls to
Christ, even in the court of Nero? But their
anticipations were crushed by the tidings that
Paul had gone to Rome as a prisoner. They had
confidently hoped to see the gospel, once established
at this great center, extend rapidly to all
nations, until it should become a prevailing power
in the earth. How great their disappointment!
Human calculations had failed, but not the
purpose of God. Paul could not labor as he had
hoped, yet before the close of that two years'
imprisonment he was able to say, "My bonds in
Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all
other places;" and among those who send greetings
to the Philippians, he mentions chiefly them
that are of Caesar's household.
The zeal and fidelity of Paul and his
fellow-workers, no less than the faith and obedience of
those converts to Christianity, under circumstances
so forbidding, should be a rebuke to
slothfulness and unbelief in the followers of Christ.
Never let us, by our human, short-sighted judgment,
limit the plans and work of God. Never
let us excuse ourselves from efforts to win souls
to Christ, even in the most unpromising fields.
The apostle and his subordinate ministers might
have argued that the servants of Nero were
subjected to the fiercest temptations, surrounded by
the most formidable hindrances, exposed to the
most bitter opposition, and that under such
circumstances it would be in vain to call them to
repentance and to faith in Christ. Should they
be convinced of the truth, how could they render
obedience? But the gospel was presented to [p. 296] those souls, and there were some among them
who decided to obey it at any cost. Notwithstanding
the obstacles and dangers, they would
walk in the light, trusting in God for opportunity
to let their light shine forth to others.
Who is placed in circumstances more unfavorable
to a religious life, or required to make greater
sacrifices, to encounter greater dangers, or to
bring upon himself fiercer opposition, than would
follow the exchange of heathenism for
Christianity by those who were in office in the court
of Caesar? No man can be so situated that he
cannot obey God. There is too little faith with
Christians of to-day. They are willing to work
for Christ and his cause only when they
themselves can see a prospect of favorable results.
Divine grace will aid the efforts of every true
believer. That grace is sufficient for us under
all circumstances. The Spirit of Christ will
exert its renewing, perfecting power upon the
character of all who will be obedient and faithful.
God is the great I AM, the source of being,
the center of authority and power. Whatever
the condition or situation of his creatures, they
can have no sufficient excuse for refusing to
answer the claims of God. The Lord holds us
responsible for the light shining upon our
pathway. We may be surrounded by difficulties
that appear formidable to us, and because of
these we may excuse ourselves for not obeying
the truth as it is in Jesus; but there can be no
excuse that will bear investigation. Could there
be an excuse for disobedience, it would prove our
heavenly Father unjust, in that he had given us
conditions of salvation with which we could not
comply. [p. 297]
Servants employed in an irreligious family
are placed in circumstances somewhat similar
to those of the members of Caesar's household.
Such are deserving of sympathy; for if they
seek to live a religious life, their situation is
often one of great trial. A bad example is
constantly before them,—an example of
Sabbath-breaking and of neglect of religion.
Few religious privileges are granted them; and should
they manifest an interest in religion, they might
lose the favor of their employer, and bring upon
themselves the ridicule of their companions. He
who is thus situated has more than a common
battle to fight, if he stands forth as a witness for
Christ, a candidate for Heaven. But there can
be nothing in his surroundings to excuse him for
neglecting the claims of God. Whatever the
difficulties in his path, they will be powerless
to hinder him if he is determined to seek first the
kingdom of God and his righteousness.
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