The First Mark of Power

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 6
The first mark of power is patience. Nothing troubled the peace of the Apostle Paul’s soul, so that he was free enough to think of individuals Euodias (Phil. 4:22I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. (Philippians 4:2)) or to write about a runaway slave. He was passing through the valley of Baca, making it a well.
In the many trying circumstances of the Apostle, he was finding that the Lord was sufficient. He possessed that eternal happiness which enabled him to say, when before Festus, “I would to God” that you were “altogether such as I am.”
Are you so happy in your soul that you can say that? The young Christian rejoices in what he has obtained—his salvation, joy, peace and so on. The older Christian rejoices more in Christ. The young Christian says, “I have this; I have that.” The older Christian says, “Christ is this; Christ is that.” Not that this is wrong in a young Christian but if they walk with God, they will soon ripen. So in 1 John 2:12-1412I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. 13I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. 14I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. (1 John 2:12‑14), “I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known Him that is from the beginning.”
J. N. Darby