An Essay on the Character of the apostle Paul # 1

An Essay On The Character of the Apostle Paul, Considered As An Example and Pattern of a Minister of Jesus Christ # 1

"You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings" (2 Timothy 3:10-11).

1. The characteristic excellence of Paul, which was as the spring or source of every other grace - was the ardency of the supreme love he bore to his Lord and Saviour. It would not be easy to find many periods throughout his epistles which do not evidence the fullness of his heart in this respect. He seems delighted even with the sound of the name of Jesus, so that, regardless of the cold rules of academic composition, we find him repeating it ten times in the compass of ten successive verses (1 Cor. 1:1-10). He was so struck with the just claim the Saviour had to every highest pitch of ingratitude and wickedness, and deserving the utmost severity of wrath and ruin (1 Cor. 16:22).

When he was  conscious that, for his unwearied application to the service of the Gospel, in defiance of the many dangers and deaths which awaited him in every place - he appeared to many as one beside himself, and transported beyond the bounds of sober reason; he thought it a sufficient apology to say, "The love of Christ constrains us!" (2 Cor. 5:14). "We are content to be fools for His sake, to be despised so He may be honored, to be nothing in ourselves that He may be all in all." He had such a sense of the glorious, invaluable excellence of the person of Christ, of His adorable condescension in taking the nature and curse of sinners upon Himself, and His complete suitableness and sufficiency, as the wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption of His people - that he often seems at a loss for words answerable to the emotions of his heart! And when he has exhausted the powers of language, and astonished his readers with his inimitable energy, he intimates a conviction of his inability to do justice to a subject - the height and depth, and length, and breadth of which are too great for our feeble capacities to grasp!

But, besides these general views, he was particularly affected with the exceeding abundant love and grace of Christ to himself, when he reflected on the circumstances in which the Lord had found him, and the great things he had done for him. That he who had before been a persecutor, a blasphemer, and injurious - should be forgiven, accepted as a child of God, entrusted with the ministry of the Gospel, and appointed to everlasting salvation - was indeed an instance of wonderful grace! So it appeared to himself, and at the thought of it he often breaks forth into inimitable digressions to the praise of Him who had loved him, and given Himself for him!

Happily convinced of the tendency and efficacy of this principle in himself, he proposes it to others, instead of a thousand arguments, whenever he would inculcate the most unreserved obedience to the whole will of God, or stir up believers to a holy diligence in adorning the doctrine of their God and Saviour in all things. And his exhortations to the conscientious discharge of the various duties of family life, are generally enforced by this grand motive. In a word, at all times, and in all places, the habitual and favorite subject that employed his thoughts, his tongue, and his pen - was the love of Christ!

Supported and animated by this love, he exerted himself to the utmost, in promoting the knowledge of him whom he loved, and bearing testimony to his power and grace. Nothing could dishearten, or weary or terrify, or bribe him from his duty!

This love to Jesus, must and will be universally, the leading principle of a faithful minister. Should a man possess the tongue of men and angels, the finest genius, and the most admired accomplishments, if he is not constrained and directed by the love of Christ - he will either do nothing, or nothing to the purpose. He will be unable to support either the frowns or the smiles of the world. His studies and endeavors will certainly be influenced by low and selfish views. Selfish interest or a desire of applause may stimulate him to shine as a scholar, a critic, or a philosopher; but until the love of Christ rules in his heart, he will neither have inclination nor power to exert himself for the glory of God, or the good of souls!

2. The inseparable effect, and one of the surest evidences of love to Christ, is a love to His people. Of this likewise, our apostle exhibits an instructive and affecting example. The warmth and cordiality of his love to those who loved his Lord and Master, appear in every page of his writings. He so rejoiced in their prosperity, that to hear of it, at any time, made him in a manner forget his own sorrows, when encompassed with troubles on every side. And though, in many instances, he did not meet that grateful return he had reason to expect, yet he could not be discouraged. But when he had occasion to expostulate with some upon this account, he adds, "I will still gladly spend and be spent for you, though the more I love you - the less I am loved." (2 Cor. 12:15). Of such a generous temper as this, the world, would they observe it, must acknowledge, "This is the finger of God!" For nothing but His grace can produce a conduct so contrary to the natural inclination of man, as to persevere and increase in kindness and affection to those who persevere in requiting it with coldness and ingratitude!

~John Newton~

(continued with # 2)