Death can be an eye opener . . .

I TELL MY STORY AS A WARNING.   Perhaps it will gain me mercy on the other side.   Becoming missionaries seemed like a noble idea at the time.   My brother and I had always been intrigued by places such as Africa and the rain forests of South America.   Of course, no one should venture upon such a task unless they are sure they are called of God.   And we were . . . at least my brother was, and still is.   I, on the other hand, have been brought to a point of serious doubt by the events of the last twenty four hours.
     We were making headway.   The tribe we have been dealing with is steep in superstition.   Yet, in spite of their mistrust, they have been most willing to listen.   Some among them have even begun asking serious questions about Christ, and their eternity-bound soul.
However, things have taken a turn for the worse.   The details are not important at the moment.   You will no doubt hear of the events, in due time.
     What is important is the warning.   I now give to all those professing to know Christ as Lord and Saviour.   Examine yourselves.   Consider the best you can whether or not your faith is worth dying for.   For as I tell you these things, the tribesmen are planning to kill us.   We are cut off from escape, and they could arrive at any moment.
     My initial reaction was self-defense.   However, as my brother so peacefully reasoned, we have no choice.   Killing them quickly sends them to Hell with no hope of salvation, whereas death means Heaven for us, proving to them a genuine faith in Christ.
     Yet, I find no inner strength.   Nor can I conceive the thought of passively allowing another man to slay me, purely for his benefit.   It is all beyond me.   My brother reminded me of Jesus, who though oppressed, and afflicted, was "brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth" (Isa. 53:7).   He said Christ could have easily summoned twelve legions of angels to save Him from death, yet said to His Father, "nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt" (Matt. 26:39), all for the benefit of mankind.
     But how can verses such as these console a man like me, who has discovered he knows not Christ.
     I only wish someone had warned me.

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