First Evangelists
299
treasuring up the precious truths of God’s word, and through prayer
strengthening their faith. When they were brought into trial, the Holy
Spirit would bring to their remembrance the very truths that would be
needed.
A daily, earnest striving to know God, and Jesus Christ whom He
has sent, would bring power and efficiency to the soul. The knowledge
obtained by diligent searching of the Scriptures would be flashed into
the memory at the right time. But if any had neglected to acquaint
themselves with the words of Christ, if they had never tested the power
of His grace in trial, they could not expect that the Holy Spirit would
bring His words to their remembrance. They were to serve God daily
with undivided affection, and then trust Him.
So bitter would be the enmity to the gospel that even the tenderest
earthly ties would be disregarded. The disciples of Christ would be
betrayed to death by the members of their own households. “Ye shall
be hated of all men for My name’s sake,” He added; “but he that shall
endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”
Mark 13:13
. But He
bade them not to expose themselves unnecessarily to persecution. He
Himself often left one field of labor for another, in order to escape
from those who were seeking His life. When He was rejected at
Nazareth, and His own townsmen tried to kill Him, He went down to
Capernaum, and there the people were astonished at His teaching; “for
His word was with power.”
Luke 4:32
. So His servants were not to be
discouraged by persecution, but to seek a place where they could still
labor for the salvation of souls.
The servant is not above his master. The Prince of heaven was
called Beelzebub, and His disciples will be misrepresented in like
manner. But whatever the danger, Christ’s followers must avow their
principles. They should scorn concealment. They cannot remain
uncommitted until assured of safety in confessing the truth. They are
set as watchmen, to warn men of their peril. The truth received from
Christ must be imparted to all, freely and openly. Jesus said, “What I
tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear,
that preach ye upon the housetops.”
[356]
Jesus Himself never purchased peace by compromise. His heart
overflowed with love for the whole human race, but He was never
indulgent to their sins. He was too much their friend to remain silent
while they were pursuing a course that would ruin their souls,—the