Recently, the thought came to me to think about the lives of the first Christians. Considering the tremendous difficulties they had to overcome, they could have chosen an easier path and abandoned their faith. They could even have gone through the motions of worshiping Roman gods. 

In an immediate sense, this might have seemed like a safer choice. But they had perceived something of the spiritual nature of life that had been proved so fully in the healing works and resurrection of Christ Jesus. And that was enough to transform their lives. So there was no going back to an unenlightened way of thinking and living. Their perseverance required moral courage and a resolve that were possible because built on the foundation of Christ, Truth, revealing God’s presence and power in their experience.

The Apostle Paul exhorted the early Christians to look beyond their circumstances to the reality of existence, which is wholly spiritual. He advised, “Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2). The example set by Jesus and the apostles was foundational. The early Christians found strength and joy in their deepening understanding of God and the spiritual nature of existence.