People often say, "Let us not do so and so, because if we do, we shall be sorry for it afterward." But if they said, "This is not worthy of the coming, not worthy of the kingdom," there would not be the finding of sorrow but the strength of joy in giving things up, saying, "That is of the flesh, and not something that will shine in the glory."
Looking at it as a fight, how few in this day could say with Paul, "I have fought a good fight." It had been a hard struggle, but Paul's course was just finished, and he was going home. Many believers now have not that abounding spring of joy at the thought of departing, saying, "Oh! I am going home joyfully; I have had nothing but fighting, and the thorough struggle makes the thought of going home a matter of rejoicing." If there is not joy, it is because we have not found the wilderness a place for the faithful fight that Paul found it.