In addition to relying on prayer and the Holy Spirit, the Word of God is the most important means of reaching Chinese worldwide.
True Disciples of Christ
Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31,32).
That is to say, true disciples of Jesus “abide” in his word as recorded in the Bible. They read, study, meditate upon, memorize, and live according to the Word of God.
Psalm 1 contrasts two sorts of people: One “delights in the law [teaching, written revelation] of the LORD, and in His law . . . meditates day and night.” The others are called “ungodly” and “sinners” (Psalm 1:1-2, 4-6).
There seems to be no middle ground. True disciples of Christ will abide in his Word. They show their love for him by listening to what he says through the Scripture, thinking about it, and putting it into daily practice.
That makes sense, doesn’t it? How can a husband say he loves his wife if he doesn’t take time to listen to her? Can a person who doesn’t attend lectures or read the professor’s writings really be called a “student” of that teacher?
True Christian Fellowship
“Let the word of Christ dwell in [among] you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another,” wrote Paul to the church at Colosse (Colossians 3:16).
The early Christians “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine [teaching] and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). In all their gatherings, the teaching of the apostles was paramount.
Authentic Christian fellowship will focus on the Scriptures - read, taught, discussed, and sung. Just sharing our concerns and praying about them will not build us up together in Christ. Only the word of God’s grace can cause us to grow together into Christian maturity (Acts 20:32; Ephesians 4:15; 5:19; Colossians 3:16).
True Messengers of Christ
Jesus said: “You shall be witnesses of Me” (Acts 1:8). How would they do that? By preaching the message of “repentance and forgiveness of sins” through faith in Christ, just as it had been “written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning” him (Luke 24:44).
Throughout the book of Acts, Luke records how “the word of God grew and multiplied” as believers took this saving message around Mediterranean world (Acts 12:24; see also 6:7; 19:20; Colossians 1:5-6).
God used Jonathan Goforth mightily to bring revival to missionaries and Chinese believers and to convert multitudes. The key to his effectiveness as a preacher was that he memorized much of the Chinese Bible and quoted it extensively. (He also prayed fervently for the fullness and working of the Holy Spirit. Read in the Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Christianity about his thrilling life and ministry.)
Our Part . . .
Most of our ministry among Chinese has centered on communicating the truths of Scripture in a variety of ways.
Over the years, I have taught courses on the Bible at several seminaries in Taiwan and North America and have expounded the Scriptures in a variety of settings. Dori has led individual and group Bible studies for Chinese women and taught the Bible to Chinese children.
Much of my writing has consisted of explaining the meaning and application of the Bible:
Carl Henry: Theologian for All Seasons shows how Henry demonstrated and defended the inspiration and authority of the Bible in his magnum opus, God, Revelation, & Authority.
For several years, I’ve been working on a doctrinal and ethical commentary on the Bible called Truth and Life. You can find notes on several books.
…and Yours:
Please pray that God will
Use what I’ve already written to edify his people and bring many to Christ.
Give me wisdom and diligence as I continue working on Truth and Life.