“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matt. 18:6).
The little evangelist sat in her schoolroom next to a classmate whose lunch box was covered with decorations which indicated to her that he didn’t know Jesus, her precious Saviour. Her love for the Lord Jesus and her tender concern for her classmate were deeply stirred. She must tell him about Jesus! She must warn him that if he isn’t saved he can’t go to heaven!
Her teacher, overhearing her earnest words, became quite upset. Pulling the little one aside, she sternly warned her not to talk about her religious beliefs to her classmates. “Besides,” scolded the teacher, “you’re wrong. Everyone is already saved!”
A note was sent home to the parents, asking that they make sure their daughter “understands” that “personal religious beliefs are unacceptable” as conversation in public school.
We’re aware that expressions of public Christian testimonies are, in varying degrees, silenced in lands governed by atheistic beliefs or where the awful darkness of idolatry and Satanic delusion have full sway. But some may think these kinds of things just don’t happen in so-called “Christian lands.” Think again. This event took place a few months ago in a small, conservative community in the midwestern United States a town so conservative that its laws forbid the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages in public establishments.
Christians need to listen soberly to the Spirit’s warning in 1 Thessalonians 5:4: “But ye... are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.”
Many buy and sell today using a piece of paper on which is printed, “In God We Trust.” Yet few believers realize the so-called “Christian” liberties that they take for granted have never been privileges that the church ought to expect. In John 15:19 the Lord Jesus explains why Christians are hated. This hatred ought not to surprise believers (1 John 3:13), for the dark spirit of apostasy is fast sweeping over these well-favored, western lands. May these words, spoken by the Lord Jesus (Matt. 15:8, quoted from Isaiah 29:13) concerning the religious people of His day, not characterize those who are called by His blessed name in our day! “This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honoreth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me.”
Let us, motivated by first love for Christ (Rev. 2:4) and the obedience of Noah (Heb. 11:7), believe God’s testimony of coming judgment on the world and professing Christendom. Then we too will move with fear, preparing a place of safety.
Ed.