Servants employed in an irreligious family are placed in circumstances somewhat similar to those of the members of Caesar’s household. Such are deserving of sympathy; for if they seek to live a religious life, their situation is often one of great trial. A bad example is constantly before them,—an example of Sabbath-breaking and of neglect of religion. Few religious privileges are granted them; and should they manifest an interest in religion, they might lose the favor of their employer, and bring upon themselves the ridicule of their companions. He who is thus situated has more than a common battle to fight, if he stands forth as a witness for Christ, a candidate for Heaven. But there can be nothing in his surroundings to excuse him for neglecting the claims of God. Whatever the difficulties in his path, they will be powerless to hinder him if he is determined to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.{LP 297.1} | |
Skildringer fra Paulus liv kapitel 27. 297. Fra side 297 i den engelske udgave. | tilbage |
Tjenere de er ansat i en ikke religiøs familie, sættes under forhold der lignede dem for kejserens hos. Disse fortjener forståelse; for hvis de prøver at leve et religiøst liv, deres situation er ofte en stor prøvelse. Et dårligt eksempel er hele tiden foran dem, - et eksempel på sabbatsbrud og på forsømmelse af religion. De får tilstået ganske få religiøse privilegier; og bør vise en interesse for religion, de kan miste deres arbejdsgivers gunst, og blive latterliggjort af deres ledsagere. Han som kommer i den situation har mere end en almindelig kamp at kæmpe, hvis han står frem som vidne for Kristus, en kandidat for himlen. Men der er ikke noget i hans omgivelser der undskylder ham for at forsømme Guds krav. Uanset hvilke vanskeligheder der er på hans sti, vil de være magtsløse og forhindre ham, hvis han er opsat på at først søge Guds rige og hans retfærdighed. |