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From Here to Forever
hated by the wicked, even as Abel was hated by Cain. See
Genesis
4:1-10
. From the days of Christ until now His faithful disciples have
excited the hatred and opposition of those who love sin.
How, then, can the gospel be called a message of peace? Angels
sang above the plains of Bethlehem: “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Luke 2:14
. There is a
seeming contradiction between these prophetic declarations and the
words of Christ: “I come not to send peace, but a sword.”
Matthew
10:34
. But rightly understood, the two are in perfect harmony. The
gospel is a message of peace. The religion of Christ, received and
obeyed, would spread peace and happiness throughout the earth.
It was the mission of Jesus to reconcile men to God, and thus to
one another. But the world at large is under the control of Satan,
Christ’s bitterest foe. The gospel presents principles of life wholly at
variance with their habits and desires, and they rise against it. They
hate the purity which condemns sin, and they persecute those who
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urge upon them its holy claims. It is in this sense that the gospel is
called a sword.
Many who are weak in faith are ready to cast away their confi-
dence in God because He suffers base men to prosper, while the best
and purest are tormented by their cruel power. How can One who is
just and merciful and infinite in power, tolerate such injustice? God
has given us sufficient evidence of His love. We are not to doubt His
goodness because we cannot understand His providence. Said the
Saviour, “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is
not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also
persecute you.”
John 15:20
. Those who are called to endure torture
and martyrdom are but following in the steps of God’s dear Son.
The righteous are placed in the furnace of affliction that they
themselves may be purified, that their example may convince others
of the reality of faith and godliness, and that their consistent course
may condemn the ungodly and unbelieving. God permits the wicked
to prosper and to reveal their enmity against Him that all may see
His justice and mercy in their utter destruction. Every act of cruelty
toward God’s faithful ones will be punished as though done to Christ
Himself.
Paul declares that “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall
suffer persecution.”
2 Timothy 3:12
. Why is it, then, that persecution