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The Acts of the Apostles
every side,” he wrote, “yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not
in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
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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.”
Paul reminded his brethren that as Christ’s messengers he and his
fellow laborers were continually in peril. The hardships they endured
were wearing away their strength. “We which live,” he wrote, “are
alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus
might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh
in us, but life in you.” Suffering physically through privation and toil,
these ministers of Christ were conforming to His death. But that which
was working death in them was bringing spiritual life and health to the
Corinthians, who by a belief in the truth were being made partakers of
life eternal. In view of this, the followers of Jesus were to be careful
not to increase, by neglect and disaffection, the burdens and trials of
the laborers.
“We having the same spirit of faith,” Paul continued, “according
as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also be-
lieve, and therefore speak.” Fully convinced of the reality of the truth
entrusted to him, nothing could induce Paul to handle the word of God
deceitfully or to conceal the convictions of his soul. He would not
purchase wealth, honor, or pleasure by conformity to the opinions of
the world. Though in constant danger of martyrdom for the faith that
he had preached to the Corinthians, he was not intimidated, for he
knew that He who had died and risen again would raise him from the
grave and present him to the Father.
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“All things are for your sakes,” he said, “that the abundant grace
might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.”
Not for self-aggrandizement did the apostles preach the gospel. It was
the hope of saving souls that led them to devote their lives to this work.
And it was this hope that kept them from ceasing their efforts because
of threatened danger or actual suffering.
“For which cause,” Paul declared, “we faint not; but though our
outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”
Paul felt the power of the enemy; but though his physical strength
was declining, yet faithfully and unflinchingly he declared the gospel
of Christ. Clad in the whole armor of God, this hero of the cross
pressed forward in the conflict. His voice of cheer proclaimed him