Religious people cannot tolerate the breaking of their regulations. Any violation of their religious regulations will stir up persecution. When Jesus broke the Sabbath, the Jewish religionists persecuted Him and even sought to kill Him.

Eventually, religion succeeded in sentencing Jesus to death. In the book of Acts we see that the situation was the same regarding the persecution of the apostles. In like manner, a great many martyrs have suffered persecution at the hand of religion.

Now it is our turn to undergo this persecution, this suffering for the building up of the Body of Christ. During the years I was with Brother Nee [Watchman Nee] in China, I saw how much he was persecuted by religion. The rumors, opposition, and condemnation came from the religious people.

Often people have told me that they appreciated my ministry with the exception of my ministry concerning the church. Some have even pleaded with me not to speak of the church. One instance of this took place in Texas in 1964.

I had been invited to Dallas to speak to a certain group of Christians. One evening after the meeting, my host said to me, "Brother Lee... In your messages, please don't say anything about the church." I replied, "It is important for you to realize that the more I minister on Christ as life, the more the saints will hunger for the church." During the last meeting, I had the Lord's leading to speak on the Body from Romans 12.

I knew that if I did not speak regarding the church, I would not be faithful to the Lord or honest to the audience. Although I knew my host and others would be offended, I proceeded to speak a strong word about the church life. I can testify that I have been attacked and opposed simply because of my stand for the recovery of the church life.

If you choose to stand for the church, be prepared for attack, misunderstanding, and rumors. Many evil things will be spoken concerning you.