The Christian Victory by Bettie Coombs

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 7, 1873

The Christian Victory.

By Bettie Coombs

Rarely do we find recorded on the pages of ancient, modern, or sacred history, except in the case of God’s dear Son, so many truly godlike, Christian virtues as are shadowed forth in the life of the great apostle of the Gentiles. After his conversion, he stands forth the embodiment of all that is highly exalting and excellent in human form, “a chosen vessel” of God. We read his life; we behold its triumphant close; we hear its final note of victory, “I have fought a good fight,” “I have kept the faith,” “I am now ready to be offered;” and then we think of Paul in the synagogue, convincing both Jews and Greeks, out of the Scriptures, that Jesus is Christ.

Again we behold him at Athens, awaiting the arrival of his brethren, Silas and Timotheus. The pious zeal of his soul was aroused, while looking round he beheld the idolatrous worship of the ancient city. He disputes with the philosophers and wise men. He is mocked at, and their sneers meet his sublime appeals. What will this babbler say? Did this daunt the great apostle, or cool his ardor in his Master’s service? No. He was strong in the Lord. Christ was mocked, spit upon, and scourged. Paul gloried that he was considered worthy to suffer shame and reproach.

And lastly, he is shipwrecked, scourged, stoned, dying a witness to the truth. We can but exclaim, Glorious warfare! Valiant, victorious soldiers of the cross!

But have we seen the greatest victory of the apostle’s life? No, no! That victory was gained when, by divine grace, he determined, I will forsake sin and be true to God; I will walk in all good conscience before God; I will crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof, and live unto God and unto Christ. That victory was gained,—when? After the thorn in the flesh was not removed, though Paul had thrice besought that it might be, and the answer came, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” Paul felt so resigned to the will of God, and that all things would work together for his good, that he said, “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake.” Other victories were easy after this had been gained.

Dear young Christian, when trials and temptations arise to tempt us from duty’s path, would that we could take pleasure in them as did that beloved apostle. We have no difficulty in exercising faith and trust when our sky is serene and cloudless. How strong and secure we feel against the wiles of Satan. But let the scene change, let dark clouds arise, and the tempest with all its fury burst upon us, and how soon, like sinking Peter, we cry out in dismay, Where then is our strength and courage? Alas! all gone, and we feel indeed powerless. I fear many of us have much to overcome if we stand the test of bitter trial, and are ever permitted to enter the pearly gates of that heavenly city. How earnestly we should strive to put away every wrong act, thought, and word, so that we may at last come off more than victors.

BETTIE COOMBS.

Hardin Co., Ky., Dec. 23, 1872.