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Sketches from the Life of Paul
broken from so many souls the bonds that held them in the slavery of
sin. Nor was this all. He declares: “And many of the brethren in the
Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak
the word without fear.”
The patience and meekness with which he submitted to a long and
unjust imprisonment drew the attention of the public, and forced the
conviction upon many minds that where there was such a willingness
to suffer, there must be an unwavering faith in the doctrines advocated.
His cheerfulness under affliction and imprisonment was so unlike the
spirit of the unfortunate and afflicted of the world, that they could but
see that a power higher than any earthly influence was ever abiding
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with him. His courage and faith were a continual sermon. And by his
example, other Christians were nerved to greater energy. They felt
that they would not be losers in becoming the advocates of truth and
pushing forward the work from which Paul was temporarily withdrawn.
In these ways were the apostle’s bonds influential, so that when to
all appearance he could do the least, when his power and usefulness
seemed cut off, then it was that he was gathering sheaves for Christ, in
fields from which he seemed wholly excluded.
When a servant of God is withdrawn from active duty, when his
voice is no longer heard in encouragement and reproof, we, in our
short-sighted judgment, often conclude that his usefulness is at an end.
But the Lord does not so regard it. The mysterious providences over
which we so often lament, are designed of God to accomplish a work
which otherwise might never have been done.
The Christian who manifests patience and cheerfulness under be-
reavement 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, and finally
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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,