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Power of God, Not Self, October 30
I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that
which I have committed unto him.
2 Timothy 1:12
.
To some who witnessed [Paul’s] martyrdom, his spirit of forgiveness toward his
murderers and his unwavering confidence in Christ till the last, proved a savor of
life unto life....
Until his latest hour the life of Paul testified to the truth of his words to the
Corinthians: “God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined
in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of
Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of
the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not
distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast
down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord
Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body” (
2 Corinthians
4:6-10
). His sufficiency was not in himself, but in the presence and agency of the
divine Spirit that filled his soul and brought every thought into subjection to the will
of Christ. The prophet declares, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind
is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (
Isaiah 26:3
). The heaven-born peace
expressed on Paul’s countenance won many a soul to the gospel.
Paul carried with him the atmosphere of heaven. All who associated with him
felt the influence of his union with Christ. The fact that his own life exemplified
the truth he proclaimed gave convincing power to his preaching. Here lies the
power of truth. The unstudied, unconscious influence of a holy life is the most
convincing sermon that can be given in favor of Christianity. Argument, even when
unanswerable, may provoke only opposition; but a godly example has a power that
is impossible wholly to resist.... The few Christians who accompanied him to the
place of execution he endeavored to strengthen and encourage by repeating the
promises given for those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake. He assured
them that nothing would fail of all that the Lord had spoken concerning His tried
and faithful children.... Soon the night of trial and suffering would end, and then
would dawn the glad morning of peace and perfect day.
The apostle was looking into the great beyond, not with uncertainty or dread,
but with joyous hope and longing expectation....
Ransomed by the sacrifice of Christ, washed from sin in His blood, and clothed
in His righteousness, Paul has the witness in himself that his soul is precious in the
sight of his Redeemer (
The Acts of the Apostles, 510-512
).
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