2Tim 2:19-21
Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The
Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ
depart from iniquity."
Report on Korean trip: At the Korean airport we were met by
Christian academics and certain ladies, the one being a former Miss Korea who got
converted and was our hostess. When we visited Korea years ago, it was a third-world
country, but it was amazing to see the progress that has taken place in the last 10 years
in South Korea. The Christians' houses we visited were neat and well-kept and public
facilities clean, in contrast to former years.
Seoul, the capital of South Korea has a population of about 12
million, which is 1.5 times the population of the Zulu nation. The city is full of
high-rise buildings, and proper roads, although the country has no reserves of gold or
diamonds. When I asked them how it was possible that they've advanced and progressed so
much, they answered that it was the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ that made the change
in South Korea. They said that their main export product was the Gospel. In 2003 alone,
approx. 30200 missionaries went out from South Korea to preach the Gospel in other
countries and in North Korea. North Korea is still communist and stagnant economically,
being separated from South Korea by the communists.
They also shared with us how the revival started in 1907. A number
of foreign missionaries and local believers came together often and prayed for revival.
One day one of the missionaries stood up crying and confessed that the Lord had convicted
him that he did not truly love the Korean people, although he had left his country, people
and family. Then a second and a third got up, confessing that they also did not have true
love towards their Korean brethren. A fourth missionary also stood up, and confessed how
his brother had given him money for the Korean brethren, but he took some of it for
himself, and only gave a portion to the Korean Christians.
After these missionaries made right with their brethren and
confessed their sins, God started to work and revival broke out.
Revival starts when Christians confess their sins and stops when
the Christians stop doing so.
Jesus said in John 3:20, "For everyone practising evil
hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed."
Our text says that "the Lord knows those that are His, and
let everyone who names the Name of Christ depart from iniquity." Is there still any
iniquity and wickedness in your life? May this word take root in your heart, for this is
the decisive factor whether God will use you or not.
The following story is told of Luciano Pavarotti, the well-known
tenor singer:
The world-renowned opera tenor Luciano Pavarotti recalls, "When I was a boy, my
father, a baker, introduced me to the wonders of song. He urged me to work very hard to
develop my voice. Arrigo Pola, a professional tenor in my hometown, took me on as a
student. I also enrolled in a teachers' college. As graduation was nearing I asked my
father, Shall I be a teacher or a singer?
"Luciano, my father replied, if you try to sit
on two chairs, you will fall between them. For life, you must choose, you can only sit in
one chair."
Pavarotti continues, "I chose one. It took seven years of study
and frustration before I made my first professional appearance. It took another seven
years to reach the Metropolitan Opera. And now I think, whether its laying bricks,
writing a bookwhatever we choosewe should give ourselves completely to it.
Commitment thats the key. Choose one chair." (from http://www.appleseeds.org/Feb_01.htm
)
Have you chosen only one chair? Have your chosen Jesus for life?
If yes, then commit yourself to Him for life and do it well.