Beneficent Resistances

The things which happened unto me have turned out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel.’’ — Puit. i. 12.

Wuat are “these things’?? They are antagonisms which have seemingly checked and broken the apostle’s ministry. His enemies have pursued him relentlessly, and he is now a captive awaiting trial in Rome. The greatest missionary of his day is apparently silenced. This mighty itinerant for his Lord is now a prisoner, His one passion is denied expression. Was he inclined to murmur? Was he impatient with his restraints? Was he touched with depression? Was there any reaction in his enthusiastic spirit? I think that here and there one can see signs of a bewilderment which might easily have become resentment. I think that discouragement sometimes visited the heart of the great apostle. He thought his work was being injured, and therefore his spirit was bruised.

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142 Beneficent Resistances

But in Rome he remade the discovery which he had often made before. He discovered that behind all the malicious and mischievous cunning of men there is an even more subtle Worker bringing the malice and mischief to nought. ‘‘ The things which happened unto me have turned out!” It Is a very suggestive phrase. He was expecting these things to go one way, and lo and behold they have turned quite another way. It is as though some unseen hand had hold of things, and man-chosen purposes were turned completely round. He was expecting only unfriendly issues to his imprisonment, and now issues are appearing which are bright and gladdening. He expected only bitter things, and here are things of surpassing sweetness. Yes, “out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness.”. He could imagine nothing but that the gospel would be hindered, and here it was being furthered by the very means which seemed to set it at nought.

What had the antagonisms accomplished?

There was one thing they had done which Paul would never have recognised. Indeed, if such a suggestion had been made to him he would have repelled it, as once before he had repelled eulogy and adoration at Iconium. They had revealed the strength and splendour of his virtues. Paul could never see his virtues, but his companions did. He knew not that his face shone, but they marvelled at the radiance. His virtues trooped out in greater glory as the menace deepened in its gloom. His loyalty to his Lord, his fortitude, his endurance, his indomitable patience, his unbroken faith! All these began to shine with a brightness which his friends had never seen before. He surpassed himself daily. They thought they had known him in other days, but this was a new revelation of their friend and leader.

And what happened? Fire kindled fire. Paul’s virtues quickened their confidence. His courage destroyed their fears. As they gazed upon him their own hearts were steeled against persecution and outrage.

They imbibed his spirit and in their liberty they carried about the same virtues which he displayed in bondage. ‘‘ Many of the brethren of the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”

Dear soul! he imagined that their extra zeal was born out of pity for him, born of a sympathetic remembrance of their imprisoned chief. But it was not his bonds nor his sufferings which nerved them; it was the virtues he displayed in his bonds. They were energised and vitalised by the great splendour of this imprisoned eagle. The mighty strength of the captive overwhelmed them, and their souls were stirred in kindred chivalry! Because he was faithful they became fearless. Because he held out they went on. Because he triumphed over his resistances they marched forth to meet their own antagonisms with victorious song. And that is what always happens when we face our resistances in steady loyalty to Christ. The very gloom of our circumstances becomes a foil for our faithfulness. Our witness becomes all the more impressive. It is like a white seagull crossing a bank of dark cloud. It is like some rare jewel whose radiance is more deeply displayed by a background of dark plush. The blackness shows off the stars. Our resistances set our discipleship in more impressive relief, and they become the unintentioned ministers of the divine grace.

Another thing which our stern resistances do for us is this: they greaten and invigorate the conscience. Southern airs relax: northern airs are tonics. Soft and easy circumstances tend to make everything soft and flabby. And conscience itself can become weak. Its voice may shrink to a faint whisper, like the voice of a man who is dying. Its authority may pass away like the authority of a king who has lost his throne. But opposing circumstances act like a bracing challenge. A chilling reception may have all the effect of a cold bath. Conscience puts on strength to meet the menace. Our finer loyalties stiffen in the face of fierce attack. Paul’s moral sense, his power

10 to grasp and define moral issues, were never more vigorous than when he was encircled in imprisoning resistance. Nay, his discernments were disciplined; in bad, foggy weather he developed better eyes. ‘‘ The things which happened unto him” turned out to be the servants of moral and spiritual vision,

One other thing may be said about the unexpected friendliness of unfriendly things. Its resistances make existence venerable. There is something wonderful about a face which has known great sorrow and gone through it as some splendid liner weathers a tempest. Every lineament in the face is a line of strength and grace. Life attracts to itself some of the reverence which we give to an old cathedral. We have only to contrast all this with a life which has known no resistance and we shall see a face devoid of that profound significance which touches the observer with mingled admiration and awe. Paul’s very appearance was venerable, and it inspired veneration, and his companions moved in his oon EEE a ae Beneficent Resistances 147

presence as though they were treading cathedral floors.