An Open Letter (April 30, 2002)
Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord:
Peace be with you.
“Who, then, is the man that fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.” (Psalm 25:12)
Jesus said to the people: “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.” (Luke 13:24)
In this generation of end time, we Christians are facing challenges not only from the unbelievers who resist God but also from various cults, false teachings and trend of error thoughts within the church. On top of that we face a solemn test of “the narrow path” and “the wide path”. Can we persist in taking the narrow path of cross – persist in doing God’s will when we must leave everything to follow the Lord and deny self to walk in the way to enter God’s kingdom forcefully? Or do we simply forsake God’s will to take the wide path–concerns only our contentment and enjoyment and seeks for pleasure of this world? The only decisive condition for every follower of the Lord to enter God’s kingdom is to do the will of Heavenly Father. This is what our Lord said by Himself: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21) As a result, how fear and trembling we are to be in seeking God? will humbly in the days of our lives and willingly to do His will regardless of the cost. Thanks to the Lord that He has taken this narrow path in triumph. He has also changed the cross to the crown of glory. He has left us not only beautiful footsteps of suffering cross and self-sacrificing but also His precious Holy Bible to be the code of conduct for every follower of Christ.
When Christ was alive in this world, He concluded that the greatest commandment in the Law is: “Love God and men” (Matthew 22:36-40). He taught us to love God with all our hearts and with all our souls and with all our minds. We are also taught to love our neighbors as ourselves which includes our own parents, wives, children, brothers, sisters and everyone. However, the Lord also taught us, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters – yes even his own life – he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciples.” (Luke 14:26-27) In addition to it, when there were two men who wanted to follow Jesus but at the same time they wanted to postpone it for kinship, the Lord told them, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” And “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:60 & 62) When the disciples faced persecutions and afflictions after Pentecost, they determined to “obey God rather than men.” (Acts 4-5) In the same manner, we should prefer God? will to all things and love the Lord more than anything so as to do His will to the end and follow the Lord closely – to be worthy as His disciples.
Thus it can be seen that if we choose to do God’s will to proclaim the way of God’s kingdom, we must be ready to sacrifice ourselves and willingly pay every cost of discipleship: Only have in mind the things of God, not the things of men. Seek to win the approval of God, not of men. And be well prepared to face opposition and assault from people outside the church and within, and kinsfolk. If we blindly live according to human’s feelings and men’s viewpoints so as to put off God’s will or compromise with men, we are sure to be taken in Satan’s trick and hesitate to do God’s will. As a result, we not only postpone God’s will but also become captives of Satan.
The Lord instructs us to go to the world and preach the gospel to all nations. He has entrusted us a great commission. How much longer will we postpone carrying out this great commission? God does not want anyone to perish, but everyone to be saved! May the Lord help each family member to spur on one another toward serving the Lord together with fervent love! It is good that we can accomplish the Lord’s great commission to bring in the full number of the redeemed so that the Lord’s heart is content. It is believed that “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” (Habakkuk:2:14) When God acts, who can reverse it? We are moved by the Spirit to share this truth with the bodies in Christ. May we root deeply in the truth! “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”(1 Corinthians 15:58-60)
There have been three groups of co-workers of Home of Grace sent by the Holy Spirit one after another to preach the gospel in America and other countries since the beginning of 2002. They not only have stirred up the saints but also have had wonderful fellowship with local servants of God. Glory to the name of the Lord!
May you walk with God with one heart!
by His servants
The entire members of Home of Grace of Christ Workers in America
April 30, 2002