True Disciples Love Jesus More Than Even Their Own Lives
Sundar Singh was threatened with jail time by an officer he preached the gospel to. But rather than chicken out, Sundar made it clear that so long as he was alive, he would continue to preach Jesus, and not prison or even death will stand in his way!
Following excerpt from 41% into The Cross is Heaven, The Life and Writings of Sadhu Sundar Singh by A. J. Appasamy
Conversation between Sundar Singh and Government Officer
I: God through Christ has called all nations for life eternal, and He ordered me to give you this Gospel. If you will not have faith in Him, a day will come when you will have to stand before Him, just as at this time I am standing before you, and the decree of eternal punishment will be laid upon you.
Officer: When that time comes it will be seen; but you must be put into jail just now, and I will see how your Christ will come for your rescue.
I: I am not afraid of this imprisonment; if this had been my fear, I would never have come to preach. I knew that I would be treated like this. My Christ has not set me free from this custody, but He has set me free from sin and Satan, and now I am always free. Though you fasten my feet with a wooden hook, I shall still be free. When that happens I will consider my feet not on wood but on rock which cannot be moved.
Officer: Be quiet and do not talk any more.
I: So long as I have got life in me and a tongue in my mouth, I will not stop talking about my Christ. Leaving custody aside, I am ready to give my life.
Officer (to Inspector): There is no need for any more discussion; take him off and put him into custody.
Inspector: Sir, by taking this infidel into custody we will pollute it.
...
Officer: It would be better if he be turned out from the territory, because if he be put into custody, it is just possible that by his teaching for six months other prisoners may become Christians, and separate arrangement is difficult.
So all agreed on this point, and they at once sent a sentinel to take me across the boundary.
I: God through Christ has called all nations for life eternal, and He ordered me to give you this Gospel. If you will not have faith in Him, a day will come when you will have to stand before Him, just as at this time I am standing before you, and the decree of eternal punishment will be laid upon you.
Officer: When that time comes it will be seen; but you must be put into jail just now, and I will see how your Christ will come for your rescue.
I: I am not afraid of this imprisonment; if this had been my fear, I would never have come to preach. I knew that I would be treated like this. My Christ has not set me free from this custody, but He has set me free from sin and Satan, and now I am always free. Though you fasten my feet with a wooden hook, I shall still be free. When that happens I will consider my feet not on wood but on rock which cannot be moved.
Officer: Be quiet and do not talk any more.
I: So long as I have got life in me and a tongue in my mouth, I will not stop talking about my Christ. Leaving custody aside, I am ready to give my life.
Officer (to Inspector): There is no need for any more discussion; take him off and put him into custody.
Inspector: Sir, by taking this infidel into custody we will pollute it.
...
Officer: It would be better if he be turned out from the territory, because if he be put into custody, it is just possible that by his teaching for six months other prisoners may become Christians, and separate arrangement is difficult.
So all agreed on this point, and they at once sent a sentinel to take me across the boundary.
The Cross is Heaven, The Life and Writings of Sadhu Sundar Singh
by A. J. Appasamy
| Genre: | Evangelist biography |
| Subject: | Sadhu Sundar Singh |
| Publisher: | Lutterworth Press |
| Year: | 1956 |
| Location: | London |
| Library: | Carey S. Thomas Library |
| Online: | https://archive.org/details/thecrossishe... |
Scripture Testimony Index stories in this book
Sundar Singh was preaching to hostile Buddhists in Tibet and was one day driven out of a village without food and left to bear the blistering call from 13, 000 feet. But as he prayed, the Lord spoke to him; bringing him peace and the assurance that he was not alone.
Sundar Singh was prevailed upon to go see a poor man on his death-bed and on getting there he found this man—who was ill and had suffered for many years—filled with joy and hope—even as death was lurked over his room. He was not afraid to die, for he knew that he was soon to be ushered into life everlasting!
The sun was already setting, when Sadhu Sundar Singh, who was given wrong directions by a group of Christian-hating villagers, found himself in the middle of nowhere with a river before him that he could not cross. But in his moment of despair, a man came and helped him cross over. It was only after they has crossed that he realized that he had been helped—not by a man—but by an angel of the Lord.
Sundar Singh was threatened with jail time by an officer he preached the gospel to. But rather than chicken out, Sundar made it clear that so long as he was alive, he would continue to preach Jesus, and not prison or even death will stand in his way!
He came with the intention to rob the Sadhu but he left a penitent, completely changed and born again man!
When every appeal and emotional blackmail failed to get him to change his mind about becoming a Christian, Kartar Singh was not only disowned but was stripped naked before being sent away from home by his own father. But Katar was resolute, and though he left home physically naked, he knew he was covered in God's love!
On the orders of a Lamar, Kartar Singh was put to death for preaching the gospel. But for Kartar, death was no foe to be feared, and until he breathed his last, this was his position!