Standing Firm and the Next Step

“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” — 2 Timothy 3:12 (KJV)

Torrey warns new Christians that, sooner or later, following Jesus will bring some opposition. It might not be prison or violence. It might be mocking, being left out, or people thinking you are weird.

He says many young Christians are surprised by this and give up. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Jesus said, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.” Torrey says that if opposition is received rightly, “it is no longer a hindrance to the Christian life but a help to it.”

But he adds a wise warning: make sure the opposition really is for Jesus’ sake, and not because you have been stubborn or unkind. He says some people are disliked “because they are stubborn and cranky and then flatter themselves that they are being persecuted.” So: “Be considerate of the opinions of others … But never yield a jot of principle. Stand for what you believe to be the truth. Do it in love.”

A word of care: if you are being bullied, threatened or hurt, for your faith or anything else, that is not something to put up with alone. Please tell a trusted adult.

Torrey’s final chapter is about guidance. He says the Christian life is not meant to be a life governed by endless rules and anxiety, but the life of “a trusting, glad, fear-free child” led by the Holy Spirit.

His method for guidance is simple: admit you need wisdom, surrender your will to God, ask him for guidance, expect him to answer, and follow step by step. Then he tells a story. A university student came to him in July, worried because he didn’t know what God wanted him to do the next summer. Torrey asked: did he know what he should do tomorrow? Yes. And next autumn? Yes, finish his course. Then that was all he needed for now.

“All you need to know is the next step.”

That is a good place to end. You don’t need to have your whole life worked out. Begin right, keep looking at Jesus, feed on his Word, pray, stay close to good friends, share your faith, stand firm in love, and take the next step he shows you. That is how to succeed in the Christian life.

One thing to do this week: if you are worried about the future, write down what you already know God wants you to do this week. Do that. Pray: “Lord, I trust you to show me the next step when I need it.”