In the Belgian Congo, a young man employed by the government to collect native taxes considered himself a "good Christian." One day he was handed a booklet entitled "The Way of Salvation." In it he read what the Bible has to say about sin and salvation. He soon came to the conclusion that if the words of this book were true he must be still unsaved. In great distress of mind he went to the missionary who had handed him the booklet and asked just what would become of him if he died in his present state. When told that he would be lost forever, he became more alarmed, and it was not long before he again came, now asking the great question: "What must I do to be saved?" He was shown God's way, and soon afterward was rejoicing in the knowledge of sins forgiven and the hope of heaven.
From that day his life was completely changed. As he went about his work from village to village collecting taxes, the natives soon became aware of the great transformation that had taken place. Immediately he began to witness for Christ and to read to them the New Testament which told of the living Savior Who is the only Mediator between God and man. Soon a few others turned from sin to the Savior, and a little company of believers was formed at the chief's village where our friend was stationed. This, as was to be expected, aroused the wrath of some; but all their threats failed to intimidate the young Christian, or to stop him from witnessing to the saving power of Christ wherever he went.
Before long, however, a trumped-up charge was brought against the clerk, and he suddenly found himself under arrest. Without any explanation he was transferred to another district and warned that he must not speak there about the Bible. The clerk replied that though it might mean the end of his work for the State, he intended to continue his work for God. The chief with whom he was now working was instructed that the clerk was on no account to be allowed to hold services nor to speak to the natives about his Lord. The young Christian, however, went calmly on witnessing always and everywhere to the saving grace of the Lord Jesus.
One day while preaching Christ he was thrown down and publicly whipped. Aside from the great physical suffering, this meant considerable humiliation for one in his position. Without a sign of anger or resentment, he got up and addressed the three chiefs, the other clerks, and the people standing around. He said: "This that I have received is but a little of this world's sorrow. There is only one way in which you can prevent my witnessing for my Savior, and that is to cut my throat.”
For three years this splendid young fellow has lived Christ, he has suffered for Christ, and he has spoken for Christ both to Europeans and to his brother natives whenever there has been an opportunity. Indeed, through his upright life, his honest service, and his consistent Christianity, he has won the respect of several of the government officials. Just recently the chief who has most bitterly opposed the young man in his Christian pathway these three years unwittingly bore eloquent testimony to the One Whose he is and Whom he serves. The chief wrote to headquarters requesting that they send to him immediately "another such Christian clerk"!
Dear young soul, are you still undecided for Christ? Does Satan whisper in your ear the word to Timothy that "all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution"? 2 Tim. 3:1212Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12). Ah, but the Word also says, "Blessed (or happy) 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"! Matt. 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). Satan isn't fair, dear lost soul, or he would tell you, too, that "the way of transgressors is hard." Prov. 13:1515Good understanding giveth favor: but the way of transgressors is hard. (Proverbs 13:15). With Christ, you choose the "happy" path that leads to the Father's house. Without Him, you are on the road to everlasting doom. It is one or the other.