Evening, December 28, edited from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword”. — Matthew 10:34

The Christian will be sure to make enemies. It will be one of his objects to make none; but if to do right, and to believe the truth should cause him to lose every earthly friend, he will count it but a small loss, since his great Friend in heaven will be yet more friendly, and reveal himself to him more graciously than ever. O you who have taken up his cross, do you not know what your Master said? “For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.” Christ is the great Peacemaker; but before peace, he brings war. Where the light comes forth, the darkness must withdraw. Where truth is, the lie must flee; or, if it abides, there must be a severe conflict, for the truth cannot and will not lower its standard, and the lie must be trodden under foot. If you follow Christ, you shall have all the dogs of the world yelping at your heels. If you would live in such a way so as to stand the test of the last tribunal, trust that the world will not speak well of you. He who has the friendship of the world is an enemy to God; but if you are true and faithful to the Most High, men will resent your unflinching fidelity, since it is a testimony against their iniquity. Fearless of all consequences, you must do that which is right. You will need the courage of a lion to unhesitatingly pursue a course which shall turn your best friend into your fiercest foe; but for the love of Jesus you must be courageous. You may hazard reputation and affection for the truth’s sake; it is such a deed that to do it constantly you will need a degree of moral principle which only the Spirit of God can work in you; yet do not turn your back like a coward, but play the man. Follow manfully right in your Master’s steps, for he has traversed this rough way before you. Better brief warfare and eternal rest, than false peace and everlasting torment.