14
Testimonies to Southern Africa
ears at the very onset. You will be inclined to do this, for it would
please your inclination and be in harmony with your character. God
would have you be as lambs among wolves, as wise as serpents and
as harmless as doves. You cannot do this and follow your own ideas
and your own plans. You must modify your method of labour. You
need not feel that all the truth is to be spoken to unbelievers on any
and every occasion. You should plan carefully what to say and what
to leave unsaid. This is not practising deception; it is working as Paul
worked. He says, “Being crafty, I caught you with guile.” Your method
of labour would not have that effect.
You must vary your labour, and not think there is only one way
which must be followed at all times and in all places. Your ways may
seem to you a success, but if you had used more tact, more of the
heavenly wisdom, you would have seen much more good results from
your work. Paul’s manner was not to approach the Jews in a way
to stir up their worst prejudice and run the risk of making them his
enemies by telling them the first thing that they must believe in Jesus
of Nazareth. But he dwelt upon the prophecies of the Old Testament
Scriptures that testified of Christ, of His mission, and of His work.
Thus he led them along step by step, showing them the importance
of honouring the law of God. He gave due honour to the ceremonial
law, showing that Christ was the One who instituted the whole Jewish
economy in sacrificial service. And after dwelling upon these things
and showing that he had a clear understanding of these matters, then
he brought them down to the first advent of Christ, and showed that in
the crucified Jesus every specification had been fulfilled.
This is the wisdom Paul exercised. He approached the Gentiles
not by exalting the law, but by exalting Christ, and then showing the
binding claims of the law. He plainly presented before them how the
light reflected from the cross of Calvary gave significance and glory
to the whole Jewish economy. Thus he varied his manner of labour,
always shaping his message to the circumstances under which he was
[17]
placed. He was, after patient labour, successful to a large degree,
yet many would not be convinced. Some there are who will not be
convinced by any method of presenting truth that may be pursued; but
the labourer for God is to study carefully the best method, that he may
not raise prejudice nor stir up combativeness.