The Christian will make enemies—count on it. You will try to make none, but if doing what is right and believing what is true costs you every earthly friend, count it a small loss. Your great Friend in heaven will draw even nearer and reveal himself more gloriously than ever.

O you who have taken up his cross! Don't you know what your Master said? "I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother. A man's enemies will be those of his own household."

Christ is the great Peacemaker, yes—but before peace comes war. Where light enters, darkness must flee. Where truth stands, the lie must run. Or if it dares remain, there must be fierce conflict, for truth cannot and will not lower its standard. The lie must be crushed underfoot.

Follow Christ, and you'll have all the dogs of the world yelping at your heels. Live to stand approved at the final judgment, and depend upon it—the world will not speak well of you. He who has the world's friendship is God's enemy. But if you stand true and faithful to the Most High, men will hate your unbending loyalty. Why? Because it testifies against their sins.

Fearless of all consequences, you must do what is right. You will need the courage of a lion to pursue a course that turns your best friend into your fiercest foe—but for the love of Jesus, you must be this courageous. To hazard reputation and affection for truth's sake, to do it constantly, requires a moral strength that only the Spirit of God can work in you.

Yet don't turn your back like a coward—play the man! Follow boldly in your Master's steps, for he has walked this rough road before you.

Better a brief war and eternal rest than false peace and everlasting torment.