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(Taken
from the Book: The Secret of Salvation)
The way of
the cross may well be termed a way of warfare because there are
friends and enemies all the way along. To the one who is thoroughly
decided to go through at all costs, with the heart fixed and the
mind stayed upon Christ, it is a line of victories. Even though the
enemy may occasionally take his stand by the wayside and give a
fierce battle, victory always crowns a faithful walk with the Lord.
In order to always have victory over the powers of the enemy, there
must always be a positive decision to go through for God and follow
as He may lead and direct. It is those who lose their decision to go
through, or drop the shield of faith, who are tossed about by the
enemy and his suggestions.
As this change of life makes a change of masters, it also makes a
change regarding friends. Often those who were the most devoted and
true friends now become the most bitter enemies. Even those of our
own household may be among our worst foes. But Jesus says: “He that
loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he
that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he
that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of
me.” (Matt 10:37,38)
“And Jesus answered and said, Verily, I say unto you, There is no
man that has left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or
mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the
gospel’s, but he shall receive an hundred-fold now in this time,
houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and
lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.”
(Mark 10:29-30)
Here you see that even though you are obliged to start out into the
world away from those that are near and dear to you, all these will
be supplied; but “with persecutions,” he says. If persecutions are
among the blessings promised, or something that must necessarily go
hand in hand with these blessings, the Lord will give an abundance
of grace that we may be able to bear them--and even rejoice through
them all.
There may be times when it may seem as if all friends had forsaken
us; but even should such a testing time come, remember that our
loving Master is one who “sticketh closer than a brother,” and will
“never leave us nor forsake us,” even through the greatest trials
and afflictions; for when the enemy oppresses on every side, He is
ever ready to lend a helping hand.
--E. E. Byrum |
