WHEN POLYCARP the martyr was brought before the governor, he said to him, “Are you a Christian?”
“Yes, I am a follower of Jesus.”
“You must renounce Jesus and sacrifice to the idols, or I will have you thrown to the lions.”
But Polycarp refused. The governor grew more angry, and said: “Unless you renounce Jesus, I will have them burn you at the stake.”
Polycarp replied: “These eighty-six years have I served my Lord... and I cannot deny my Lord and Master now.”
They took old Polycarp out and tied him to the stake, but the aged saint stood there triumphant, rejoicing to suffer for the name of Jesus. He was ninety-five years old when he died. He had been a Christian, according to his own testimony, eighty-six years. So he must have been converted when he was nine years of age.
A young boy or girl can be a Christian, and a faithful one too. You have everything to gain by becoming a follower of the Lord Jesus. You will gain a Saviour; the guilt and load of your sins He will take away forever; He will give peace and joy and happiness, and a bright home in heaven with Himself at the end.
“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven.” Matthew 5:11,1211Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (Matthew 5:11‑12).
ML-11/23/1969