hardly imagine circumstances more unfavorable to a religious life； and
entailing greater sacrifice or opposition； than those in which these
converts found themselves。 Yet amidst difficulties and dangers they
maintained their fidelity。 Because of obstacles that seem insurmountable；
the Christian may seek to excuse himself from obeying the truth as it is in
Jesus；
467
but he can offer no excuse that will bear investigation。 Could he do this he
would prove God unjust in that He had made for His children conditions of
salvation with which they could not comply。
He whose heart is fixed to serve God will find opportunity to witness for
Him。 Difficulties will be powerless to hinder him who is determined to seek
first the kingdom of God and His righteousness。 In the strength gained by
prayer and a study of the word； he will seek virtue and forsake vice。
Looking to Jesus； the Author and Finisher of the faith； who endured the
contradiction of sinners against Himself； the believer will willingly brave
contempt and derision。 And help and grace sufficient for every circumstances
are promised by Him whose word is truth。 His everlasting arms encircle the
soul that turns to Him for aid。 In His care we may rest safely； saying；
〃What time I am afraid； I will trust in Thee。〃 Psalm 56：3。 To all who put
their trust in Him； God will fulfill His promise。
By His own example the Saviour has shown that His followers can be in the
world and yet not of the world。 He came not to partake of its delusive
pleasures； to be swayed by its customs； and to follow its practices； but to
do His Father's will； to seek and save the lost。 With this object before him
the Christian may stand uncontaminated in any surroundings。 Whatever his
station or circumstances； exalted or humble； he will manifest the power of
true religion in the faithful performance of duty。
Not in freedom from trial； but in the midst of it； is Christian
468
character developed。 Exposure to rebuffs and opposition leads the follower
of Christ to greater watchfulness and more earnest prayer to the mighty
Helper。 Severe trial endured by the grace of God develops patience；
vigilance； fortitude； and a deep and abiding trust in God。 It is the triumph
of the Christian faith that it enables its followers to suffer and be
strong； to submit； and thus to conquer； to be killed all the day long； and
yet to live； to bear the cross； and thus to win the crown of glory。
（469）
Chapter 45
Written From Rome
The apostle Paul early in his Christian experience was given special
opportunities to learn the will of God concerning the followers of Jesus。 He
was 〃caught up to the third heaven；〃 〃into paradise； and heard unspeakable
words； which it is not lawful for a man to utter。〃 He himself acknowledged
that many 〃visions and revelations〃 had been given him 〃of the Lord。〃 His
understanding of the principles of gospel truth was equal to that of 〃the
very chiefest apostles。〃 2 Corinthians 12：2； 4； 1； 11。 He had a clear； full
comprehension of 〃the breadth； and length； and depth； and height〃 of 〃the
love of Christ； which passeth knowledge。〃 Ephesians 3：18； 19。
Paul could not tell all that he had seen in vision； for among his hearers
were some who would have misapplied his words。 But that which was revealed
to him enabled him to labor as a leader and a wise teacher； and also molded
the
470
messages that he in later years sent to the churches。 The impression that he
received when in vision was ever with him； enabling him to give a correct
representation of Christian character。 By word of mouth and by letter he
bore a message that ever since has brought help and strength to the church
of God。 To believers today this message speaks plainly of the dangers that
will threaten the church； and the false doctrines that they will have to
meet。
The apostle's desire for those to whom he addressed his letters of counsel
and admonition was that they should 〃be no more children； tossed to and fro；
and carried about with every wind of doctrine；〃 but that they should all
come into 〃the unity of the faith； and of the knowledge of the Son of God；
unto a perfect man； unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of
Christ。〃 He entreated those who were followers of Jesus in heathen
communities not to walk 〃as other Gentiles walk； in the vanity of their
mind； having the understanding darkened； being alienated from the life of
God 。 。 。 because of the blindness of their heart；〃 but 〃circumspectly； not
as fools； but as wise； redeeming the time。〃 Ephesians 4：14； 13； 17； 18；
5：15； 16。 He encouraged the believers to look forward to the time when
Christ； who 〃loved the church； and gave Himself for it；〃 would 〃present it
to Himself a glorious church； not having spot； or wrinkle； or any such
thing〃 a church 〃holy and without blemish。〃 Ephesians 5：25； 27。
These messages； written with a power not of man but of God； contain lessons
which should be studied by all and
471
which may with profit be often repeated。 In them practical godliness is
outlined； principles are laid down that should be followed in every church；
and the way that leads to life eternal is made plain。
In his letter to 〃the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at
Colosse；〃 written while he was a prisoner in Rome； Paul makes mention of his
joy over their steadfastness in the faith； tidings of which had been brought
him by Epaphras； who； the apostle wrote； 〃declared unto us your love in the
Spirit。 For this cause；〃 he continued； 〃we also； since the day we heard it；
do not cease to pray for you； and to desire that ye might be filled with the
knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding； that ye
might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing； being fruitful in every
good work； and increasing in the knowledge of God； strengthened with all
might； according to His glorious power； unto all patience and long…suffering
with joyfulness。〃
Thus Paul put into words his desire for the Colossian believers。 How high
the ideal that these words hold before the follower of Christ！ They show the
wonderful possibilities of the Christian life and make it plain that there
is no limit to the blessings that the children of God may receive。
Constantly increasing in a knowledge of God； they may go on from strength to
strength； from height to height in Christian experience； until by 〃His
glorious power〃 they are made 〃meet to be partakers of the inheritance of
the saints in light。〃
The apostle exalted Christ before his brethren as the One
472
by whom God had created all things and by whom He had wrought out their
redemption。 He declared that the hand that sustains the worlds in space； and
holds in their orderly arrangements and tireless activity all things
throughout the universe of God； is the hand that was nailed to the cross for
them。 〃By Him were all things created；〃 Paul wrote； 〃that are in heaven； and
that are in earth； visible and invisible； whether they be thrones； or
dominions； or principalities； or powers： all things were created by Him； and
for Him： and He is before all things； and by Him all things consist。〃 〃And
you； that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works；
yet now hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death； to
present you holy and unblamable and unreprovable in His sight。〃
The Son of God stooped to uplift the fallen。 For this He left the sinless
worlds on high； the ninety and nine that loved Him； and came to this earth
to be 〃wounded for our transgressions〃 and 〃bruised for our iniquities。〃
Isaiah 53：5。 He was in all things made like unto His brethren。 He became
flesh； even as we are。 He knew what it meant to be hungry and thirsty and
weary。 He was sustained by food and refreshed by sleep。 He was a stranger
and a sojourner on the earthin the world； but not of the world； tempted
and tried as men and women of today are tempted and tried； yet living a life
free from sin。 Tender； compassionate； sympathetic； ever considerate of
others； He represented the character of God。 〃The Word was made flesh； and
dwelt among us； 。 。 。 full of grace and truth。〃 John 1：14。
473
Surrounded by the practices and influences of heathenism； the Colossian
believers were in danger of being drawn away from the simplicity of the
gospel； and Paul； in warning them against this； pointed them to Christ as
the only safe guide。 〃I would that ye knew；〃 he wrote； 〃what great conflict
I have for you； and for them at Laodicea； and for as many as have not seen
my face in the flesh； that their hearts might be comforted； being knit
together in love； and unto all riches of the full assurance of
understanding； to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God； and of the
Father； and of Christ； in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and
knowledge。
〃And this I say； lest any man should beguile you with enticing words。 。 。 。
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord； so walk yet in Him：
rooted and built up in Him； and stablished in the faith； as ye have been
taught； abounding therein with thanksgiving。 Beware lest any man spoil you
through philosophy and vain deceit； after the tradition of men； after the
rudiments of the world； and not after Christ。 For in Him dwelleth all the
fullness of the Godhead bodily。 And ye are complete in Him； which is the
head of all principality and power。〃
Christ had foretold that deceivers would arise； through whose influence
〃iniquity〃 should 〃abound；〃 and 〃the love of many〃 should 〃wax cold。〃
Matthew 24：12。 He had warned the disciples that the church would be in more
danger from this evil than from the persecution of her enemies。 Again and
again Paul warned the believers against these false teachers。 This peril；
above all others； they must guard
474
against； for by receiving false teachers； they would open t