John 17: 20-21
"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me."
When he was on earth the Lord Jesus put heavy emphasis about the truth of unity, He not only prayed for the disciples, he also prayed for every believers; in other words, the Lord also prayed for you and I. Why is unity so important? John 13:35 gives us the answer: "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." Conversely, if we do not love one another, the world will not know that we are the Lord's disciples. Do you know that our testimony of loving one another is the key to preach the gospel? We tend to put too much focus on rational debate and knowledge impartation when we preach the gospel, thinking people will believe if we make some senses talking about God's words, while neglecting to love and be loved are the most basic human needs.
In fact, very few people believe in God because they lost the argument with Christians so they have no choice but to believe. Most people believe in God because they are touched by His love, if not directly receiving the love of God, then experiencing the love of God through the brothers and sisters; it is love that motivates us to return before God. The Lord Jesus Christ is the best at preaching the gospel, but He never begin it with a big talk, instead He prayed when he saw the sick and healed them; he had mercy when he saw the sinners and forgave them; he saw the hunger and thirsty and he taught them. The Lord Jesus will always touch people's heart first, and then He'll lead them before God the Father. To love and be loved are people's most basic needs, and they also are most capable to touch people's hearts; this is what the world seeks.
This is precisely the purpose of Jesus coming to this world; therefore there is no need to argue, debate with the seekers, and do not fight against each other about the doctrines. We need to live out a life of loving one another, and complete unity, when the non-believers see it and they will envy us, they will be moved when they see our testimony, because love moves people the most. Whether you speak in eloquence or not, the key is if you can live out the testimony of loving one another. Do not count on the others, start from ourselves first. Once we overflow with the love of Jesus Christ, selfless in helping others, giving up self in supporting others without demanding returns, you will find preaching the Gospel is not that difficult.
Actually preaching the Gospel has always been easy, but we often make it too complicated. Ask the
Lord to help us, let us humbly come before Him daily, willing to love the brothers and sisters among us, while also loving the brothers and sisters of other churches, so that the love of God flows from us and the church, until it reaches the people of all nations, then the will God will be satisfied in our lives!
Pray with Pastor Tong
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