It is always a sad sign, and an evidence of spiritual decline, when the heart loses its interest in the message of grace. Some are so occupied with the deeper truths of the Word of God that they allow themselves to speak slightingly of the simplicity of the gospel.

Paul was the preeminent teacher of the Church, but to his last hour, his heart was filled with gospel zeal, and his sympathies were with the evangelist carrying the Word of Life to men dead in trespasses and in sins. Even in his prison-house he rejoiced that his affairs had really tended to the progress of the gospel. Satan doubtless hoped to hinder that work by locking up the apostle, but even then it became manifest to all Caesar’s court, and to all others, that his bonds were for Christ’s sake. The very soldiers appointed to guard him were brought thus to hear the glorious proclamation of grace to a guilty world; and it is evident that numbers of them believed (Phil. 1:13; 4:22).

Who can fathom the joy that must have filled the heart of Paul as he led one guard after another to the Savior’s feet! Just as when cast into the Philippian dungeon, he and his companion Silas were used for the conversion of the jailer and his household, so here, grace triumphed over all seemingly untoward circumstances. The prison cell became a gospel chapel, where souls were being born of God, and stern Roman soldiers became themselves the captive servants of One greater than Caesar.