Page 37 - The Gate and the Way

Part of the value of Christ having me share the experiences I have encountered since
I yielded in 1999 to follow wherever He should lead, and to do whatever He should ask of
me, is to demonstrate to the saints that such a walk will result in affliction. Many find it
hard to imagine being persecuted as a Christian in a nation such as America. The vast
majority of professing Christians get along remarkably well with the society around them.
Causes of conflict are difficult for many to imagine.
The lack of suffering among Christians in American society, when compared to the
very substantial suffering of those early saints in Roman society, is not due to the world
having changed. It is the result of Christians having abandoned the call to be disciples. The
following statement is a universal truth throughout all nations and societies during this
kingdom age.

II Timothy 3:12
Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Yahshua will be persecuted.

During the past 12 years I have experienced tremendous resistance from men and
women in American society. There have been reproaches, condemnation, rejection, even
attacks and unveiled hatred. The greatest part of this has come from professing Christians.
Adamic man has not improved since the days of Christ, nor have the natural affections and
passions of the flesh become more accepting of the spiritual. There remains a natural
antipathy in the hearts of natural men toward those walking as spiritual. Indeed, there is
great hatred, even to the point of murder.

Matthew 24:9-12
“Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by
all nations on account of My name. And at that time many will fall away and will
deliver up one another and hate one another... And because lawlessness is increased,
most people's love will grow cold.”

James writes to the people of God and reproves those who have an abundance of the
world’s goods with the following words:

James 5:6
You have condemned and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you.

I have found, both in Scripture and in personal experience, that it is those who have
much of the world’s goods who become exceptionally antagonistic toward the disciples of
Christ.

James 2:5-7
Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in
faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you
have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally
drag you into court? Do they not blaspheme the fair name by which you have been
called?

Those who love money, comfort, and material possessions find that a natural enmity