Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 21
February 5, 1970
NUMBER 39, PAGE 7a

"And Now I'm On The Firing Line"

Robert Wayne La Coste

It had to happen! There was no way to avoid it! There was no intention of avoiding it! It is considered a priviledge and I thank God for this opportunity.

I have now begun my first full time effort. This is not an egotistical statement, but rather one of delight and concern. But I am not in the dark as to the problems a gospel preacher faces in his daily toils for the furtherance of truth. How I have thanked God many times for the fact I was reared by a gospel preacher and a godly mother. As a young child, I wasn't fully aware of their problems. Problems of denominationalism, institutionalism, support, indifferent brethren, and how I could go on. But after a few years I remember dad saying once "Sometimes it gets rough on this firing line." After that I started paying closer attention to what exactly went on. Oooh. . . how he was stabbed in the back and shot in the heart, and for what? For simply teaching and preaching the truth of God! That's all!

So now I can expect the same, because now I'm on that same firing line! Some brethren have wondered "Who in their right mind would become a gospel preacher? To be ostracized, ridiculed, and at times undoubtedly wonder where the next pay check was coming from?"

While some of these aspects are true, and I witnessed some of them, there still remains that ever growing urge to proclaim truth. I realized some time ago that there isn't enough of it being proclaimed. There have been ambitions, yes, in my mind for years — and many of them could have been fulfilled too!, but as I look around and see people dying in sins and needing the Gospel of Christ put those ambitions out of my mind and I turn and step on to the firing line!

I would to God, that young men everywhere will put the occupations of the carnal world, secondary — and use their talents for God — first!! The payoff here will be worth much more in eternity, although less here.

To step on to this firing line will mean hurt and pain. I am now only twenty one — and by the time I am forty, I undoubtedly as the apostle Paul will be able to say, "I bare upon my body — the marks of the Lord Jesus." But if I am to bear hurt and pain in this life — let me do it as a soldier of the greatest army ever known! If I am to do any battles — let me do them with evil; in the pulpit and out!

"Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not., nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them." — (Eccl. 12:1) — Quite a good reason for stepping onto the firing line; don't you think!!?

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