But it was nothing to Paul. He just looked at it as if it were a
trivial thing--as if it were a light affliction. When he was stripped
and scourged by his persecutors you might have gone and asked him:
"Well, Paul, what are you going to do now?" "Why, press toward the mark
of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus;" Take your stand before Him
and ask him as they bring the rod down upon his head, "What are you
going to do now, Paul?" "Do? I am going to press toward the mark of the
high calling of God in Christ Jesus." He had one idea, and that was it.
Look at him as they stoned him. The Jews took up great stones to throw
upon the great apostle. They left him for dead, and I suppose he was
dead, but God raised him up. Come up and look at him all bruised and
bleeding as he lies. "Well, Paul, you've had a narrow escape this time.
Don't you think you had better give up? Go off into Arabia and rest for
six weeks. What will you do if you remain here? They mean to kill you."
"Do!" he cries as he raises himself like a mighty giant, "I am going to
press toward the mark of the high calling of God." And he goes forth and
preaches the gospel. I am ashamed of Christianity in the nineteenth
century when I think of those early Christians.
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