October, 1945
369
JCiving J h Zke Zigkt
Of Zke Sternal
By Arthur Hedley
I N these days of darkness and distress, where shall we turn for consolation and strength? How can we face the future with steady eyes, and a heart quiet and unafraid? When troubles come upon us thick and fast, how will it be possible still to carry on with cheer ful countenance and a song in our hearts? If we turn back to the life of the Apostle Paul, we shall find an answer to these questions. From his expe rience and testimony, we may learn how to maintain the tranquil heart and happy spirit, whatever the future1 may hold. In his amazing record of privation and suffering for Christ’s sake, Paul tells us he was “in deaths oft’’ (2 Cor. 11:23). His life was imperiled again and again (v. 26). He was scourged, beaten, stoned, and imprisoned by his own people, for the sake of Christ. When he wrote his, second epistle to the Corinthians he had in mind some affliction which came to him in Asia, for he states that he was “pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that he despaired even of life” (1:8). His position was so desperate that he could only fold his hands and trust in God. His recovery was a veritable resurrection (v. 10). Yes, Paul had his full share of suffering (1:5) but he was able to say: “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; perse cuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed. . . ” (4:8-10). He was being given over to death continuously for Christ’s sake, that the life of Jesus might be mani fested in him (v. 11). However great his sufferings, how ever dark his future, he never lost heart. Others might grow weary and discouraged, and give up the fight, but he went on undaunted, with a cheerful heart and brave spirit (12:10). What was the grand secret behind his life? How could he go on year after year with courage and joy? We know that he was sustained by the power of Christ which rested upon him. As the outward man was decay ing, the inward man was being renewed day by day (4:16). through the life of Jesus within (vs. 10, 11). But Paul lets us into the secret when he tells us that he looked beyond the immediate present into the eternal future, beyond the seen into the realm of the unseen (4:18). With the eye of faith, he pierced the veil of time, and caught a vision of the eternal. The glories of that world became very real to him, and enabled him to See all the trials and sufferings of the present in their true perspective. The longing of his soul was like that of
John (Rev. 22:20), that the Lord might come quickly— that His servant might put on the new and glorious body without the pain and struggle of the dissolution of the old (2 Cor. 5:4) J But Paul was prepared to wait and endure whatever the future might bring, because he saw beyond this vale of tears and suffering, the light of the Celestial City. In its light, the afflictions of the present seemed trifling and transient. When present distresses were compared with the everlasting joys, they appeared insignificant. He declared: “The sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18). It is said that over the triple doors of Milan Cathedral are three doorways spanning the arches. Above one is carved a lovely wreath of roses, and beneath it is the legend: “All that which pleases is but for a moment.” Over another is sculptured' a cross, and underneath are the words: “All that which troubles us is but for a moment.” But under the great central entrance to the main aisle is the inscription: “That only is important which is eternal." It was because Paul realized so vividly the reality and glory of the realm of the eternal that his present troubles and sufferings—great as they were—seemed of little account. It was this vision of the eternal which filled with joy the hearts of the early Christians and made them so fearless when they were driven to the lions, or bound to the stake. If we are to be sustained in these critical days, it will be only as we cultivate the forward look and keep a clear vision of the eternal. Unless we look beyond this world with all its tragedy, bloodshed, desolation, chaos, and terror, we shall lose our faith and hope, and go under. Our fathers were* upheld in the darkest days be cause Heaven was so real to them. It was their faith in things of eternal value which gave depth to their life, strength to their character, and the ability to en dure persecution, privation, and pain. The Church has lost much of her power and influence over the nations because she has become so immersed in the near and present that she has almost lost her vision of the eternal. “Distrust of the supernatural, insistence on the present and the practical, and the pride of a so- called common sense, hav(?done much to rob Christianity of this vast horizon and to blend it to its heavenly vision,” states Dr. Denney. We must recapture that vision if we are to carry on our. Christian work without growing (Continued on Page 374)
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