Narrow is the Way

Not all disciples stand firm when the going begins to get rough. An American couple came down to do some evangelistic work and I helped on several occasions.

Then I suddenly heard they were packing to leave and I went over to see what the trouble was. They kept repeating to me, "We came down to preach, but we cannot stand the persecution."

I thought, I have been through quite a lot of kinds of persecution myself but this must be something terrible. "What kinds of persecution? Maybe there is something we can do." They only repeated and kept on packing. But I asked specifically, "Were you put in jail? Were you stoned? Was it some Catholic fanatics? Was it threats on your life?" No, none of those. It finally turned out that some nice things they had brought with them from the U.S. had been stolen.

I could hardly believe it. Some thought, when they arrived with all their nice American furniture, appliances and equipment, it was an anomaly to then preach the humble Christ to those poor people all around while they lived in what the people generally considered those preachers were living in high luxury.

The couple had come back from a trip to find their house had been broken into, to TV, the stereo, and micro-wave oven, had been carted off along with some other smaller pieces, while the refrigerator and furniture were left.

Why. I began, "You can't call That persecution. It is only..." But they just kept on packing. "WE can't stand it! We're returning at once."

They'll have plenty of company. All through the years people start on the Christian walk, but when they find out the cross is really rugged, rather than a pretty song, they fall by the way.

But we keep in mind their are others enduring every kind of persecution, threat and danger, some giving up wealthy families to live among the poor, some out in the jungles living among savages, some leaving the most hygienic surroundings to live among the diseased, ignorant, unlettered dirty, knowing that Jesus did just that when He left heaven to really suffer of each of us, that we might heaven it turn.

Oh, brethren, don't let your mind dwell on the heavy cost of making some sacrifices for the sake of the Lord and His Gospel. The suffering of this life are but for a moment as we foresee love and light, peace and joy with our Lord and other Christians loved throughout eternity.