and purest are afflicted and tormented by their cruel power . How , it is asked , can One who is just and merciful , and who is also infinite in power , tolerate such injustice and oppression ? This is a question with which we have nothing to do . God has given us sufficient evidence of His love , and we are not to doubt His goodness because we cannot understand the workings of His providence . Said the Saviour to His disciples , foreseeing the doubts that would press upon their souls in days of trial and darkness : " Remember the word that I said unto you , The servant is not greater than his lord . If they have persecuted Me , they will also persecute you ." John 15:20 . Jesus suffered for us more than any of His followers can be made to suffer through the cruelty of wicked men . Those who are called to endure torture and martyrdom are but following in the steps of God ' s dear Son .
" The Lord is not slack concerning His promise ." 2 Peter 3:9 . He does not forget or neglect His children ; but He permits the wicked to reveal their true character , that none who desire to do His will may be deceived concerning them . Again , the righteous are placed in the furnace of affliction , that they themselves may be purified ; that their example may convince others of the reality of faith and godliness ; and also that their consistent course may condemn the ungodly and unbelieving . God permits the wicked to prosper and to reveal their enmity against Him , that when they shall have filled up the measure of their iniquity all may see His justice and mercy in their utter destruction . The day of His vengeance hastens , when all who have transgressed His law and oppressed His people will meet the just recompense of their deeds ; when every act of cruelty or injustice toward God ' s faithful ones will be punished as though done to Christ Himself .
There is another and more important question that should engage the attention of the churches of today . The apostle Paul declares that " all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution ." 2 Timothy 3:12 . Why is it , then , that persecution seems in a great degree to slumber ? The only reason is that the church has conformed to the world ' s standard and therefore awakens no opposition . The religion which is current in our day is not of the pure and holy character that marked the Christian faith in the days of Christ and His apostles . It is only because of the spirit of compromise with sin , because the great truths of the word of God are so indifferently regarded , because there is so little vital godliness in the church , that Christianity is apparently so popular with the world . Let there be a revival of the faith and power of the early church , and the spirit of persecution will be revived , and the fires of persecution will be rekindled .
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