Part 2.
And so for two whole years Paul dwelt in his own hired house and received all who came unto him. There was no danger of his being out, or too busy to see anyone. “Beloved brother Paul” was always there, with the soldier who kept him—always ready to look up from his writing with a welcome. Then he would give counsel and sympathy, would answer questions, and explain difficulties.
When he was alone he was thinking of and praying for all the Christians in the world. He wrote a great many letters to the Christians in different places, and these letters were written in the power of the Holy Spirit, so that they are really the Word of God. Though they were written to people who lived so long ago, they are just as much for us, if we too believe as they did in the Lord Jesus Christ.
And our questions also will be answered as well as those of the Roman brethren, I am sure.
We too are soldiers of Jesus Christ, but not always good ones. Sometimes we are cowards and slip out of the battle, and sometimes—we are ashamed to confess it—we are overcome by the enemy. What shall we do?
“Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges?” says the apostle. Perhaps we have been trying to fight in our own strength. Or perhaps we left ourselves open to the enemy by not taking the whole armor of God. “Take unto you the whole armor of God,” says Paul, “that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand.” (Eph. 5:1313But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. (Ephesians 5:13).) And finally, “Thanks be unto God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Here is someone who wants to be a child of God, and a servant of Jesus Christ, and does not know how to become one.
Someone else has a giant enemy in the shape of a bad habit which he fears he cannot overcome. For him come the words, “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:4, 54(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (2 Corinthians 10:4‑5).)
We cannot come to Paul, but what is infinitely better, we can come to Paul’s Master, who also receives all who come unto Him. For He says, “Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out.” (Jno. 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37).)
ML 05/13/1917