Pastor's Corner

At a recent pastor’s conference the missionary speaker told us that the gospel of Christ first came to China in 1807 through great teachers like Hudson Taylor, Robert Morrison, and others. After 150 years of missionary activity by 1949, the teaching of the gospel of Christ harvested four million souls saved! During the 60-year communist reign of Mao-Te-Sung and his great persecution the number of Christians actually multiplied to 100 million! Therefore, it is a missionary saying that Mao-Te-Sung was the greatest evangelist in the history of China. God was in control.

When we realize that God is in control of our circumstances and destiny not even a great persecution can stop believers from evangelizing others and establishing churches. God accomplishes all that He says He will do it, and He does it calmly according to His purpose and will (Romans 8:28-29).

Christians need to understand that God’s ultimate purpose is to glorify Himself whatever the historical trends or circumstances may be. Persecution of believers in Christ does not slow down nor stop the will of God. Often a person’s real problems in life begin when he becomes a Christian. All of a sudden the culture of his nation attacks him, his relatives attack him, he may struggle with finances and health, and he feels persecuted. This is nothing new for the apostle Paul forewarned us of these things.

In 2 Corinthians chapter one verse four we are told that God is the source of all true comfort, “who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” Here we note Christians go through adversity, receive God’s comfort, and in turn they are able to comfort others.

That is the main reason Christians suffer in this scripture.

If we receive the same type of sufferings Christ did then we will receive the same type of comfort (vs 5).

In vs 6 Paul teaches that he was afflicted for the Corinthians “comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer.” Therefore, our suffering, our persecution has a purpose, a reason, and it is not just a random occurrence.

You suffer so that you may minister to someone in the future and glorify God.

Paul describes some of his afflictions in 2 Corinthians 4:7-12.

He taught us that he suffered in this body so that the “surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves.” He says that he was “afflicted in every way but not crushed; perplexed but not despairing; persecuted but not forsaken, struck down but not destroyed.” He concludes in 4:12 that “death works in us but life in you.” The crowning touch is revealed is in 4:17, “For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comprehension,” as Paul focused on things not seen, which are his rewards in heaven, rather than focusing upon things which are seen or experienced on earth, those who persecuted him.

God is at work in the heart of every believer preparing them for eternity. Whatever you are going through at the present time is “light affliction” compared to the incredible, wonderful, fantastic, blessings waiting for you in eternity. Remember, God is in control.

Chaplain Ron McMurray