But now, twenty centuries later, we can see that in most of the places the apostle preached, the gospel has long since ceased to be heard. Many of the churches he founded ceased existence many centuries ago, and even the very cities where he preached are nothing but heaps of ruins now. It was writing these letters in prison, letters he would never have had time to write otherwise. These letters have changed the world, they are radically transforming men and women in this century. And we would never have had them, from the human standpoint, if God hadn't locked the apostle up and chained him to a Roman guard.
Adversity means advance.
The God we serve is not hindered by obstacles thrown in His path. That is the first mark of authentic Christianity. And what a heart cry there is today for this kind of triumphant faith to ring out in our land. Let us move on to another mark. For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.