der in your commitment to Christ then you can expect all kinds of added problems. As an example, why do you think so many people persecute our Jewish friends? Why should there be prejudice and hostility against them? In history they were selected by God to be a channel through which He would bring Christ, the Messiah. He has and He will use them as a people to speak to the nations of the world. The Jewish community is actually a constant reminder to the world of the im portance of belief in Jehovah. The world, humanly speaking, does not like this. Similarly, the Christian church has suffered persecution. Unfortunately we have not always conducted ourselves in a Christ- like manner. Prejudices have hin dered the spreading of the Gospel. Some have been alienated before they have been introduced to the Saviour. Somewhere we have failed to show them that Christ loves all men. He came to "seek and to save the lost." He came to His own and then He had to turn to the Gentiles. Now, all of us together can share in His perfect salvation. The ultimate question is whether you will identify with Jesus Christ. In Matthew 7:15-23 we discover some of the characteristics of one who is persecuted for Christ's sake. When you do this you expose evil and false prophets. Your life will naturally point out all that is con trary to Christ. People will ridicule you, claiming perhaps that you are naive. Such persons are found of ten in academic circles. There are those who want to borrow the good teachings Christ gave while reject ing Him altogether. Many want to live in a world influenced by His Page 35
self to Him and change directions. Quit going your own way and come walk God's way. When you become a child of God you will have many friends of whom you were not even aware. Jesus said that there is a broad way which leads to hell. That rep resents the whole stream of hu manity with its back turned toward God. The narrow way is right in the middle going the other direction. It is narrow in that it is demand ing. Jesus says in this Beatitude, "Blessed are ye when you are per secuted for righteousness' sake and not just for your own characteris tics." Let us make sure we are liv ing as Christians in a way that points people to the Saviour! PERSECUTED FOR CHRIST'S SAKE Outside of Jesus Christ all that one can know of God is not much more than the abstract concepts men have put forth (Acts 4:12). The various religions of the world try to put forth their designs of a supreme being, but have not real ized that Christ is the embodiment of the Almighty. He Himself testi fied, "If you have believed in Me, you have believed in My Father." He declares, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me." This, in essence, is the Gospel. Our Saviour has encouraged us with His words, "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you , and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice, and be ex ceeding glad: for great is your re ward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were be fore you" (Matthew 5:11, 12). Per secution always boils down to the place where if you won't surren
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