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Power of God, Not Self

I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that
which I have committed unto him. 2 Tim. 1:12.

To some who witnessed [Paul's] martyrdom, his spirit of forgiveness toward
his murderers and his unwavering confidence in Christ till the last, proved
a savor of life unto life. . . .

Until his latest hour the life of Paul testified to the truth of his words
to the Corinthians: "God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness,
hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory
of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen
vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We
are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in
despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always
bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of
Jesus might be made manifest in our body" (2 Cor. 4:6-10). His sufficiency
was not in himself, but in the presence and agency of the divine Spirit that
filled his soul and brought every thought into subjection to the will of
Christ. The prophet declares, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose
mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee" (Isa. 26:3). The
heaven-born peace expressed on Paul's countenance won many a soul to the
gospel.

Paul carried with him the atmosphere of heaven. All who associated with him
felt the influence of his union with Christ. The fact that his own life
exemplified the truth he proclaimed gave convincing power to his preaching.
Here lies the power of truth. The unstudied, unconscious influence of a holy
life is the most convincing sermon that can be given in favor of
Christianity. Argument, even when unanswerable, may provoke only opposition;
but a godly example has a power that is impossible wholly to resist. . . .
The few Christians who accompanied him to the place of execution he
endeavored to strengthen and encourage by repeating the promises given for
those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. He assured them that
nothing would fail of all that the Lord had spoken concerning His tried and
faithful children. . . . Soon the night of trial and suffering would end,
and then would dawn the glad morning of peace and perfect day.

The apostle was looking into the great beyond, not with uncertainty or
dread, but with joyous hope and longing expectation. . . . {LHU 317.5}

Ransomed by the sacrifice of Christ, washed from sin in His blood, and
clothed in His righteousness, Paul has the witness in himself that his soul
is precious in the sight of his Redeemer (The Acts of the Apostles, pp.
510-512).

>From Lift Him Up - Page 317

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