Thursday, April 17, 2025

China Mission Blessings

As a missionary in China, a thought that often came to my mind was, “Death to self is true north on the compass that points to Jesus.” Jesus said it this way, “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” [1]

Overseas missionary service often involves death to self by way of speaking in a foreign language instead one’s own native tongue, eating unfamiliar foods that taste strange to you, pouring out your life for people who are unlike you while the people who are like you, family and friends back home, move on without you. On top of that, the needs are so great, that you often find yourself working long hours with little sleep, little time to eat and no budget for entertainment.

Besides all this, there is no changing the message. The goal is to preach the Gospel to the lost day after day, and then, to teach the converts to serve the Gospel ministry as well. Paul, Silas, Timothy and Apollos exemplify this lifestyle for us in the Book of Acts. “When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.” “He [Apollos] vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.” [2]

Sexual impurity is sin. Gluttony is sin. Pride is sin. Greed is sin. But so is lack of love for God. And a lack of love for neighbor is sin. The two great commandments are to love God and love one’s neighbor. Loving God and neighbor is our primary mission in the world. To escape the captivity of a self-pleasing lifestyle, we must turn to the Lord and ask Him to forgive us and change us from within. “Please, replace self-gratify with self-denial for Your glory Lord! Please fill me with Your Spirit of love for God and love for neighbor. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.”

C.S. Lewis said once said, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.”

Our God is the source of guidance and source of love to complete the mission. “Reliance on His guidance” is a good motto to remember. The Holy Spirit leads us with love. The Apostle Paul wrote that the love of God is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. And that righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit is the kingdom of God. Love that endures all things and lasts forever is God’s love. [3]

[1] John 12:24
[2] Acts 18:5, 28
[3] Romans 5:5; 14:17; Psalm 118:1; 1 Corinthians 13:7




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