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Sketches from the Life of Paul
judgment, limit the plans and work of God. Never let us excuse our-
selves 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 those souls, and there were some among them
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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 today. 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.
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Servants employed in an irreligious family are placed in circum-
stances somewhat similar to those of the members of Caesar’s house-
hold. Such are deserving of sympathy; for if they seek to live a reli-
gious life, their situation is often one of great trial. A bad example is
constantly before them,—an example of Sabbath-breaking and of ne-