BE YE STEADFAST by Emma H. Adams

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 22, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 51.

“BE YE STEADFAST.”

By Emma H. Adams

The apostle Paul was once a guest for many days in the home of Philip the evangelist, at Cæsarea, in Syria. He was on his way from Greece to Jerusalem, and was making his fifth visit to that city. Whether he knew it or not, it was to be his last visit to the Jewish capital.

During his sojourn in the house of Philip, the apostle was warned, in a very solemn manner, that trials and afflictions awaited him in the city to which he was bound. Agabus, who, at Antioch, seventeen years before, had predicted the famine which tried the saints in Judea during the reign of Claudius Cæsar, came down from Jerusalem, and, taking Paul’s girdle, bound himself therewith—hands and feet—saying, “Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.”

Thereupon, Paul’s brethren at Cæsarea, alarmed for his safety, besought him not to continue his journey. His answer was characteristic of the man. Notice that portion of it which is adapted to our subject: “I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” How clearly these strong words of the great missionary reveal the steadfastness of his character

and his unwavering devotion to the work appointed him by the Lord! In doing this work, it mattered little to Paul whither the Spirit led him, into what depths of suffering, to what utter surrender of his natural desires, will, and plans, nor to what sore travail of spirit over disciples wavering in the faith, because rooted too near the surface in the truth.

But we shall gain by looking still further into this feature of the man’s life, before we draw therefrom the lesson evidently intended for us by the divine Spirit.

Upon landing at Tyre, before his arrival at Cæsarea, certain disciples had said to him “through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.” And while yet in Asia, Paul had declared to his beloved Ephesian brethren, whom he had called to meet him at Miletus, “I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there; save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions wait for me.” Acts 20:22, 23, margin.

— What effect had all this startling warning, entreaty, and prophecy upon the man—called in an extraordinary manner to the apostleship? His own thrilling words spoken to the brethren at Miletus tell us. Hear them:— “None of these things [care, bonds, imprisonments, afflictions] move me, neither count I my life dear [unto whom?] unto myself.” And what more?—“So that I might finish . . . the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus.”

Ah, now we discover the motive of Paul’s action! For one purpose he did count his life dear, and that purpose was the finishing of his ministry, the telling the royal story of the Gospel to kings, and rulers, and bondsmen; to Jews and Gentiles, who stoned him, who laid stripes upon him, who cast him into prison, put his feet in the stocks, drove him out of their cities, expelled him from their coasts. Hence we can imagine him as ever resolving, “This one thing I do.”

Down the long centuries have come his inspiring words, establishing the hearts and steadying the footsteps of many a disciple pressing his way toward the strait gate. Surely for us also, among the lost members of the body of Christ, were they written; to us are they applicable, who stand at the final verge of the dispensation of election; us, to whom the way must become daily more narrow, difficult, and beset with dangers.

If this be so, is it not a matter of the deepest concern that we consider Paul’s words well; that we cultivate carefully, and make ours to the uttermost, Paul’s noble characteristic—steadfastness, constancy of purpose; and that we decide daily with reference to service for Christ, “This one thing I do,” as did Paul with reference to gaining the mark for the prize of the “high calling”?

Manifestly, the Holy Spirit painted upon the pages of the divine book the example of this brave martyr to the truth only for a great object,—the encouragement of the long ranks of disciples who should follow him.

Here, then, as with reference to other scriptures, must we not eat both words and example, assimilate them, incorporate them into life and character?

To not one of us is committed just such a ministry as was Paul’s. But to each one of us is committed a ministry. And who shall presume to say that the ministry of the humblest member of the “little flock” is less important in the estimation of Him who appoints him than was Paul’s? Who can foretell how great results will follow the patient, regular, persistent, gladsome efforts put forth by the least capable of the royal priesthood, solely for Christ’s sake?

When one man, at the peril of his life, saves another man from death by flood or by fire, we applaud the deed; but is life-saving at some perilous missionary post, or in long sowing the seed of truth in stubborn soil, by simple faith, less heroic? The one form of life-saving may be the result of a sudden humane impulse, coupled with a spirit naturally courageous. The other is the product of the death of self in the rescuer. He brings to shore those he has saved, and brings them out of the fires of sin; but to Another willing within him belongs the shout of approval, the acclaim for his work—and so is he glad to have it.

It is only the steadfast ones, overcomers, whom Christ will clothe with white raiment, and to whom He will grant the privilege of sharing His throne. He judges most of us by our fidelity in small things. This is a comfort, since large commissions come to so few of us. You remember what the Lord says to the servant who shall prove faithful over a few things,—“I will make thee ruler over many things.”—But His “few things” are enough to keep us busy. An idler in His vineyard would be an abhorrence to Him.

Alas, that so much unfaithful service lies behind us, so much work done indifferently, because circumstances have pressed us into it, and not our love for it; because our conception of our high calling has been so low and so narrow; because we have lacked thought, earnestness, purpose!

Let us not get the idea that only at Paul’s death did the giving up of his life take place. From the hour of his meeting the Lord on the way to Damascus it was a life laid down absolutely. Immediately he “conferred not with flesh and blood.” There was no faltering in purpose to serve Him whose glory outshone the sun on that day, nor afterward, when the Lord Jesus showed him how great things he should suffer for His name’s sake. Paul was not controlled by emotions, did not serve his Deliverer only when he felt like it—one day at his post and the next day absent therefrom—but “fought a good fight” to the end.

If any of us have become dismayed under the testing in progress in our case, an intelligent study of Paul’s steadfast course will both comfort and inspire us. So also will the words of the Lord Jesus: “He that . . . keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations.”

EMMA H. ADAMS.