It is human to stand with the crowd, it is Divine to stand alone. It is man-like to follow the people, to drift with the tide;it is God-like to follow a principal,to stem the tide. It is natural to compromise conscience and follow the social and religious fashion for the sake of gain or pleasure; it is Divine to sacrifice both on the altar of truth and duty. "No man stood with me, but all men forsook me",wrote the battle scarred apostle in describing his first appearance before Nero to answer for his life for believeing and teaching contrary to the Roman world. Truth has been out of fashion since man changed his robe of fadeless light for a garment of faded leaves. Noah built and voyaged alone. His neighbors laughed at his strangeness and perished in style. Abraham wandered and worshipped alone. Sodomites smiled at the simple shepherd, followed the fashion,and fed the flames. Daniel dined and prayed alone. Elijah sacrificed and witnessed alone. Jeremiah prophesided and wept alone. Jesus loved and died alone. Of the lonely way His disciples should walk, He said, "Straight is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life and few there be that find it". Of their treatment by the many who walk in the broad way, He said, "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own, but because ye are not of the world, therefore the world hateth you". The church in the wilderness praised Abraham and persecuted Moses. The church of the kings praised Moses and persecuted the prophets. The church of Caiphas praised the prophets and persecuted Jesus. The church of the popes praised the Savior and persecuted the saints. Andmultitudes now, in the church and in the world, applaud the courage of the patriach and prophets, the apostles and martyrs, but condemn as foolishness and stubbornness like faithfulness of today. WANTED TODAY: Men and women, young and old, who will obey the convictions of truth and duty at the cost of fortune and friends and family.

-- Beth Weber (talmidim88@hotmail.com), October 25, 2000

Answers

Thank you Beth.I have printed what you have written here and hung it where I can read it alot because it came at just the right time to keep me strong.It seems that I am always swimming against the tide of life and it is so easy to get discouraged;many times all I hear from others is you can't do that, your not supposed to do it that way, why can't you just go along like everyone else does?(baaahhh.)Just knowing that somewhere out there you feel the same as I do means alot.Thanks for putting it into words so well.

-- maureenb (firegirl102@hotmail.com), October 25, 2000.

WOW! How very true this is. We are living in the age of Laodicea. Those who dare to stand for truth are branded as legalists and fanatics. I think this stems from a false definition of Legalism. Legalism is when you live a certain way because you are trying to win the merit and favor of God by your good behavior. This is not why I live the way I do. I live this way because I am sincerely thankful for all that God has done for me and I want to live right because it pleases Him. If this makes me a fanatic than so be it!

-- Tiffani Cappello (cappello@alltel.net), October 25, 2000.

Ahh Beth, Thank You! That is just fantastic! I have already printed it! For courage, conviction and fortitude when needed! Thank You!! God Bless! Wendy

-- Wendy@GraceAcres (wjl7@hotmail.com), October 25, 2000.

I'll take it with me to Trinidad.

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@yahoo.com), October 25, 2000.

Beth, that is excellent. Tiffani, I agree with you completely. I've also been accused of being a legalist just because I love God enough to want to do only what's pleasing to Him. I think the essence of legalism is that it is for outward show, rather than coming from the heart. You have to get to know a person for quite a while before you can discern the difference, sometimes. And, of course, without the Holy Spirit, there isn't going to be any discernment anyway. Thus, the truth of Beth's post.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), October 26, 2000.

Beth...Thanks for the moral courage you have shown to remind those of us "Wanna-Be" Christians of our first love. I needed to hear what you (and the rest of those responding...) had to say. I've not been very much of a Light-keeper in the world lately, but I am determined to change. and...just a thought; no other men out there sharing the same convictions? Thanks again...God Bless all of you. In Christ; David A.Roper

-- Dave Roper..:) (b_wheat59@yahoo.com), October 27, 2000.

top

-- Beth Weber (talmidim88@hotmail.com), November 19, 2000.

bringing this up to the top....hopefully it will be a source of encouragement for you Little bit!!!!

-- Beth Weber (talmidim88@hotmail.com), November 19, 2000.

That is beautiful Beth! Thanks, for sharing it with me. I am going to pull a naughty and paste it here for others who didn't get to read it

Subject: Alone

It is human to stand with the crowd, it is Divine to stand alone. It is man-like to follow the people, to drift with the tide;it is God- like to follow a principal,to stem the tide. It is natural to compromise conscience and follow the social and religious fashion for the sake of gain or pleasure; it is Divine to sacrifice both on the altar of truth and duty. "No man stood with me, but all men forsook me",wrote the battle scarred apostle in describing his first appearance before Nero to answer for his life for believeing and teaching contrary to the Roman world. Truth has been out of fashion since man changed his robe of fadeless light for a garment of faded leaves. Noah built and voyaged alone. His neighbors laughed at his strangeness and perished in style. Abraham wandered and worshipped alone. Sodomites smiled at the simple shepherd, followed the fashion,and fed the flames. Daniel dined and prayed alone. Elijah sacrificed and witnessed alone. Jeremiah prophesided and wept alone. Jesus loved and died alone. Of the lonely way His disciples should walk, He said, "Straight is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life and few there be that find it". Of their treatment by the many who walk in the broad way, He said, "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own, but because ye are not of the world, therefore the world hateth you". The church in the wilderness praised Abraham and persecuted Moses. The church of the kings praised Moses and persecuted the prophets. The church of Caiphas praised the prophets and persecuted Jesus. The church of the popes praised the Savior and persecuted the saints. Andmultitudes now, in the church and in the world, applaud the courage of the patriach and prophets, the apostles and martyrs, but condemn as foolishness and stubbornness like faithfulness of today. WANTED TODAY: Men and women, young and old, who will obey the convictions of truth and duty at the cost of fortune and friends and family.

-- Beth Weber (talmidim88@hotmail.com)

I am going to stick this in a file. Thank you.

Little Bit Farm

-- Little bit Farm (littlebit@calinet.com), November 19, 2000.

I had read this earlier (and responded) but it was good -- and timely -- to re-read it. Thanks, Little Bit.

-- Kathleen Sanderson in NH (stonycft@worldpath.net), November 20, 2000.