A Wise Christian's Journey
A Wise Christian's Journey
Chapter 1: A New Life in Christ
Matthew had always prided himself on being a rational thinker. An avowed atheist, he had spent much of his life ridiculing faith and dismissing the Bible as a collection of myths. But all of that changed one stormy evening when a chance encounter with an elderly street preacher left him with a battered King James Bible. Intrigued by the preacher’s unshakable conviction, Matthew began to read the Scriptures in secret.
Over weeks, the Word penetrated his heart. The verse that struck him most was John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Matthew realized his need for a Savior and placed his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The peace that followed was unlike anything he had ever known.
But as Matthew’s newfound faith grew, so did the hostility from his former friends. They mocked him relentlessly, calling him deluded and weak. One of them, Alan, sneered, You think believing in some ancient book makes you better than us? You’ll regret this.
Despite the rejection, Matthew felt compelled to forgive them. The parable of the unjust steward came to his mind—Luke 16:9: "And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations." He interpreted this as a call to show charity and forgiveness to those who hated him, hoping it might lead them to salvation.
Chapter 2: The Mercy of the Wicked
Matthew’s efforts to extend kindness to his old friends seemed to yield some fruit. Alan softened for a time, even inviting Matthew to a gathering. Yet, as the evening unfolded, it became clear that their intentions were not benign. They plied Matthew with questions designed to trap him, twisting his words and laughing at his earnest attempts to share the Gospel.
The night culminated in an argument, with Alan declaring, Your God might forgive, but we don’t. You’re nothing but a traitor to reason. Matthew left, disheartened but not angry. He had done what he could, but their "mercy" had been cruelty indeed.
Chapter 3: Separation
Recognizing the truth of 2 Corinthians 6:14—"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?"—Matthew decided to distance himself. He focused on growing in faith and connecting with a local church.
However, even among believers, Matthew found himself an outsider. Some accused him of failing as an evangelist, blaming him for the hardened hearts of his former friends. If you were truly saved, one brother said, you’d make the Gospel clear to them. Maybe you’re the problem.
Others whispered that Matthew himself might be lost, incapable of properly sharing the truth. He was stunned to see Jeremiah 9:4—"Take ye heed every one of his neighbour, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbour will walk with slanders"—come alive in his life.
Chapter 4: The Great Tribulation
As tensions rose globally, rumors of war, famine, and pestilence filled the news. Matthew couldn’t shake the feeling that prophecy was unfolding before his eyes. When the Antichrist came to power, demanding loyalty through the mark of the beast, chaos erupted.
Matthew stood firm, recalling Revelation 14:9-10: "If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God." He knew that taking the mark was an unforgivable act, a line no believer could cross.
The decision cost him dearly. He became a fugitive, hunted by the authorities and betrayed by former acquaintances who had taken the mark. Even some in the church turned on him, choosing survival over faithfulness. Matthew clung to the promises of Scripture, trusting that God’s grace was sufficient to sustain him.
Chapter 5: Endurance Unto the End
As the Great Tribulation reached its apex, Matthew found refuge in a hidden community of believers. Together, they prayed, encouraged one another, and waited for the Lord’s return. Despite the suffering, Matthew’s faith never wavered. He had learned to see God’s hand even in betrayal and hardship, and he looked forward to the day when every tear would be wiped away.
Revelation 7:14-17 became his comfort: "These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb... for the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."
Matthew’s journey was far from easy, but he remained steadfast, a testament to God’s grace and the power of faith under pressure.