Growing by Means of Trials
We can learn valuable lessons from Paul's afflictions, including the nature of malice and the importance of standing firm in our faith.
A.W. Tozer reflects on the trials faced by the Apostle Paul, emphasizing that while it may be easy to feel pity for him, he has transcended earthly struggles and now enjoys eternal fellowship with the faithful. Tozer highlights the lessons learned from Paul's afflictions, noting that malice and contention can thrive without cause, and that good people are often misjudged by those harboring ill will. The sermon encourages believers to recognize the resilience of faith amidst trials and the importance of maintaining a pure heart in the face of criticism.
Text
In reading Second Corinthians, it is difficult to restrain a feeling of real pity for the noble old man as he sweats under the bitter lashings of the enemy. But such pity is wasted now. He has long been where the wicked cease from troubling and the toilworn are at rest. For many long years, his eyes have gazed upon the vision beatific in the land where The red rose of Sharon Distills its heartsome bloom And fills the air of heaven With ravishing perfume.
He walks now with the noble army of martyrs and shares the goodly fellowship of the prophets and the glorious company of the apostles. He does not need our pity.
But from Paul and his afflictions we may learn much truth, some of it depressing and some altogether elevating and wonderful. We may learn, for instance, that malice needs nothing to live on; it can feed on itself. A contentious spirit will find something to quarrel about. A faultfinder will find occasion to accuse a Christian even if his life is as chaste as an icicle and pure as snow. A man of ill will does not hesitate to attack, even if the object of his hatred be a prophet or the very Son of God Himself. If John comes fasting, he says he has a devil; if Christ comes eating and drinking, he says He is a winebibber and a glutton. Good men are made to appear evil by the simple trick of dredging up from his own heart the evil that is there and attributing it to them.
Sermon Outline
- The State of Paul's Afflictions
- Paul's afflictions serve as a reminder of the Christian's ultimate destination
- The wicked cease from troubling and the toilworn are at rest
Key Quotes
“Malice needs nothing to live on; it can feed on itself.” — A.W. Tozer
“A man of ill will does not hesitate to attack, even if the object of his hatred be a prophet or the very Son of God Himself.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We must be aware of the tendency of malice to feed on itself and to find occasion to attack even the purest of people.
- We must stand firm in our faith and not be swayed by the accusations of others.
- We must be careful not to attribute evil from our own heart to others.