The Importance And Value Of Seeing And Accepting Things Into GOD'S Light.

This applied both to Paul and to those who were brought into touch with him.

For the Apostle the settling in to the sovereign ordering of GOD in his imprisonment issued in increasing illumination leading to spiritual emancipation.

No one can fail to recognize the tremendous enrichment of ministry as contained in what are called "the Prison Epistles".  

If he had been restive, piqued, rebellious, or bitter, there would have been no open heaven, and a spirit of controversy with the LORD would have closed and bolted the door to the fuller Divine unveilings and clarifyings.

When all was accepted according to the mind of the LORD, then "the heavenly places" became the eternal expanses of his walking about, and earthly bondage gave place to heavenly freedom.

So it must be with every instrument set apart in relation to the higher interests of the LORD'S testimony.

Then the reading of certain passages in his letters and the record of his imprisonment shows how this applied to others. 

Take the following: 2Ti 1:8  Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

Act 28:30  And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,

Act 28:31  Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. 

2Ti 1:16  The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: 

2Ti 1:17  But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.
 
2Ti 1:18  The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.

Clearly the effect of these passages is that there had to be a Divine apprehension and not merely a human appraisal of Paul's position.

Human levels of mentality would have produced an atmosphere of doubt, suspicion, question, and would have let in elements of false imputation.

Regarded on merely natural lines, association with the prisoner would have involved such associates in the suspicion and prejudice.

Doubt of the LORD'S servant was very widespread, and even many of the LORD'S people were not sure of him.

But the LORD was shutting up a very vital revelation to this channel, and for such as were really in spiritual need, and such as were to stand in a living relation to fullness of testimony from identification with Christ in death and resurrection, on to throne-union with Him, power over "Principalities, Powers" etc., and on to the ministry "in the ages to come",

There had to be a putting aside of all human, personal, and diplomatic considerations and a standing right in there with the instrument where GOD put it in honorable imprisonment.

For possession of which is to come through the vessel, there has to be a coming where the vessel is, without consideration for reputation, influence, or popularity.

In this way the Lord sifts His people and finds out who really is wholly for Himself and His testimony, and who is actuated in any measure by other considerations and interests.

The instrument in this position of popular rejection is thus the LORD'S means of searching.

~T. Austin Sparks~