Through their blows, the persecutors and the persecuted came to know one another. This is an important gain for both of us, as we continue to walk through persecution. This is what it means when we Chinese say: “Out of blows, knowledge grows!”
There will always be conflicts for people who grow up in a traditional Chinese education, because a Chinese education is an atheistic education. But I never doubted the existence of God. The existence of God was as natural to me as the sun rising in the east and setting in the west. It was as natural to me as getting up in the morning.
I am a subversive patriot because, despite the progress we have made as a nation, America is not my best hope for "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." My ultimate allegiance is to a King who gave up his own life, liberty, and happiness to redeem us from the tyranny of sin.
I imagine there are days when you feel like giving up. There must be days of anger and frustration as you endure separation from those you love. There must be days of isolation, and of loneliness. There must be temptation, at times, for hatred and revenge. So, I call you, and remind myself, that we must remember Jesus.
Read Moreis this suffering worth it? Have you had moments when you question whether it is worth it? Suffering is messy, and most of us do not look like heroes when we experience it. Jesus knows that. He went through it himself. So, even if we do not emerge from suffering as heroes, it is more important that Jesus endured his suffering and was victorious over sin and death.
Read MoreChinese believers are different ages, different ethnicities, different sexes, and hail from different socio-economic groups. Some are rural, uneducated grandmothers who remained faithful through years of trial; others are urbane intellectuals. Yet no matter their differences, who they are in Jesus is more important than anything else about them.
Read MoreOur own human weaknesses only provide opportunity for God’s glory to shine through. I am praying that Chinese believers will have the supernatural strength and grace to rejoice and give thanks in all of their weaknesses. God has Chinese believers in this season because he wants to use their difficulties to show his own greatness and goodness.
Read MoreThere are days when I don’t pray or long for you to hold fast to the promise found in Philippians 1 – that God will hold fast to you. This is where I often find my heart when I pray for my brothers and sisters in China. I want to hold fast to you. I want you to be preserved. I want you to be with your children as they grow up. I long for you to experience peace, comfort, and joy. Jesus longs for more.
Jesus longs for more.
Read MorePray with me: may Chinese believers truly realize that they have a kingdom that cannot be shaken. The king they serve is with them, is living, and his rule cannot be overcome.
Read MoreIn the United States our church is also facing many challenges, though perhaps not as severe as the physical danger you are frequently enduring. Our challenges often revolve around questions of compromise with the current culture to remain relevant, and how to hold to the truth of God’s Word as the only hope for salvation. When we are facing these challenges, we at times turn to the example of your churches.
Read MoreUnderstanding how they see and understand Jesus is more important than holding up and pointing to the amazing and remarkable things about their lives. To me, the interesting question about their lives is what they believe about Jesus that allows them to remain faithful.
Read MoreThe Christian’s call to walk with Christ involves a call to suffer with Christ, and we can expect that in our lives…. It was helpful to not just be engaging abstract theology, but also to watch their living testimony as my brothers and sisters count the cost with joy and faithful perseverance. They daily remind me of this aspect of discipleship and following in Christ’s footsteps.
Read Moream praying that Chinese Christians who are currently experiencing suffering will follow Jesus’s example laid out in Hebrews 12:2: “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” In this life we will have troubles. But that is not the end of the story. Joy comes in the morning, and Christ has overcome this world of sin and death.
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