Читать книгу Beyond the Horizon - Harry A. Renfree - Страница 29

January 23

Many years before his martyrdom, Hugh Latimer had preached rather forthrightly before Henry VIII. The king was offended, ordered Latimer to preach the next Sunday and to make an apology for the offence he had given. Latimer searched his soul but truly believed he needed to remain faithful to his message. Then he repeated the sermon he had preached to the king the Sunday before. The king asked him how he could be so bold as to preach to the king in that way. Latimer replied that he merely discharged his duty and followed his conscience. The king embraced him and reportedly said, “Blessed be God, I have so honest a servant.”

Not many preachers, nor any other Christians, find themselves in such a situation of personal danger in this day and age—at least not in the Western world. It certainly happened in the former Soviet Union, in China, and in other repressive areas of our world . . . and is still happening.

Ask the question: “What is the cost of being a real Christian?” The answer is simple—

“Everything.” Didn’t Jesus Himself open the possibility? He said to His followers: “Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me” (John 15:20–21).

Two among the followers who tested the principle were Peter and John. After the resurrection, they were involved in the healing of a crippled beggar and soon found themselves before the Jewish authorities. Boldly, Peter explained the situation, stating that the miracle had been performed in the name of Jesus. Acts 4:13 tells us: “When they [that is the authorities] saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”

Just as they took note of Hugh Latimer and even of you and me as we stand firm.