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Sketches from the Life of Paul
of Christ under such circumstances. If those Christian converts could
maintain their fidelity amid all the difficulties and dangers of such
surroundings, no one can offer a sufficient reason for neglecting the
claims of duty. There is no such thing as an impossibility to obey God.
There is another fact concerning those disciples which is worthy
of our attention. Not only were converts won to the truth in Caesar’s
household, but they remained in that household after their conversion.
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They did not feel at liberty to abandon their post of duty. The truth
had found them where they were, and there they would remain, and
by their life and character testify of its transforming power. The
example of those Christians has great weight, from the fact that they
had direct intercourse with Paul, and therefore enjoyed the benefit of
his instruction and counsel. It teaches that believers are not always to
withdraw from positions of difficulty and trial, and place themselves
where there would be less temptation or opposition.
Let us ever bear in mind that our Saviour left the heavenly courts,
and came to a world polluted by sin. By his own life he has shown his
followers how they can be in the world, and yet not be of the world.
He came not to partake of its delusive pleasures, to be swayed by its
customs, or to follow its practices, but to seek and to save the lost.
With this object, and this only, can the Christian consent to remain in
the company of the ungodly.
No one who is seeking to save his soul should without good reason
place himself in an uncongenial atmosphere, or where he will be
surrounded by hindrances to a religious life; but if in such a position
he has received the truth, he should diligently inquire if God has not
there a work for him to do for the saving of other souls. That one
Christian in the midst of unbelievers, may, in the providence of God,
be like the piece of leaven “hid in three measures of meal,” that is to
do its work until the whole mass is leavened. A consistent Christian
life will accomplish more good than could be accomplished by many
sermons. Whatever the Christian’s station, be it exalted or humble, he
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will manifest the power of true religion by the faithful performance of
the duties of that station.
It is not the absence of temptation or trial that is most favorable
for the development of Christian character. Where there are fewest
difficulties to meet, the Christian is in the greatest danger of spiritual
slothfulness. The God of all grace has promised that his people shall