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First Evangelists
211
What to Do When Persecution Comes
The disciples of Christ would be betrayed even by members
of their own households: “Ye shall be hated of all men for My
name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be
saved.” 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. So His
servants were not to be discouraged by persecution, but to seek a
place where they could still labor for souls.
But whatever the danger, Christ’s followers must scorn conceal-
ment. They cannot remain uncommitted until assured of safety in
confessing the truth. 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.”
Jesus never purchased peace by compromise. His heart over-
flowed with love for the whole human race, but He was never in-
dulgent to their sins. He was too much their friend to remain silent
while they were pursuing a course that would ruin their souls. He
labored that man should be true to himself, true to his higher, eternal
interest. The servants of Christ, called to the same work, should
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beware lest, in seeking to prevent discord, they surrender truth. Real
peace can never be secured by compromising principle. And no man
can be true to principle without exciting opposition. Jesus told His
disciples, “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill
the soul.” Their only fear should be lest they surrender truth and thus
betray the trust with which God has honored them.
Satan works to fill men’s hearts with doubt. He tempts them
to sin, and then to regard themselves as too vile to approach their
heavenly Father. The Lord understands all this. Jesus assures His
disciples of God’s sympathy, that not a sigh is breathed, not a pain
felt, not a grief pierces the soul, but the throb vibrates to the Father’s
heart.
The Bible shows us God in His high and holy place (
Isaiah
57:15
), not inactive, not in silence and solitude, but surrounded by
thousands of holy intelligences waiting to do His will. Through
channels we cannot discern, He is in active communication with
every part of His dominion, including this speck of a world. God is