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Paul, March 2
Heroes for God
At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook
me.... Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened
me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all
the Gentiles might hear.
2 Timothy 4:16, 17
Paul before Nero—how striking the contrast! ... In power and great-
ness Nero stood unrivaled.... Without money, without friends, without
counsel, Paul had been brought forth from a dungeon to be tried for his
life....
The countenance of the monarch bearing the shameful record of the
passions that raged within; the countenance of the prisoner telling the
story of a heart at peace with God and man. The results of opposite
systems of education stood that day contrasted—a life of unbounded
self-indulgence and a life of entire self-sacrifice. Here were the represen-
tatives of two theories of life—all-absorbing selfishness, which counts
nothing too valuable to be sacrificed for momentary gratification, and
self-denying endurance, ready to give up life itself, if need be, for the
good of others....
The people and the judges ... had been present at many trials, and
had looked upon many a criminal; but never had they seen a man wear
a look of such holy calmness.... His words struck a chord that vibrated
in the hearts even of the most hardened. Truth, clear and convincing,
overthrew error. Light shone into the minds of many who afterward
gladly followed its rays.... He pointed his hearers to the sacrifice made
for the fallen race....
Thus pleads the advocate of truth; faithful among the faithless, loyal
among the disloyal, he stands as God’s representative, and his voice is as
a voice from heaven. There is no fear, no sadness, no discouragement,
in word or look.... His words are as a shout of victory above the roar of
battle.
Let this hero of faith speak for himself. He says, “I take pleasure in
infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecution, in distresses for
Christ’s sake.”
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