05/20
For You shall be a witness for him to all humans of what You have seen and heard. Acts 22:15
Witnessing
Christianity, we understand, is essentially witnessing. It is neither reasoning nor philosophizing, not even preaching in modern sense of the term. Kerusso in New Testament Greek is more witnessing than preaching; it is proclaiming, announcing, making known what we have seen and experienced. That we can do to any body without hurting one's pride, regardless whether he or she accepts it or not. And the meanest of heathen-converts is duty-bound to make such witnessing, as was the man born blind said to his inquisitors: "Whether he (Jesus) be a sinner, I know not; one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see." The same we can say; we cannot preach or theologize; but each one of us can say that "one thing, I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see"; and we all are duty-bound to say so.
05/21
Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground. And Abel also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat of it. And the LORD had pleased to Abel and to his offering, but He did not have pleased to Cain and to his offering. And Cain glowed with anger, and his face fell. Genesis 4: 3-5
Abel and Cain
Something must be sacrificed to God. But greatest care must be taken in selecting what to sacrifice. "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit" (Psalms 51:17 ). So the sacrifices must represent this spirit. A broken spirit, a heart that cannot admit anything good of one's own self but cries "O wretched man that I am. Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" (Romans 7:24). This heart is best represented by a lamb. The attitude of throwing oneself before the burning fire of righteousness to ask pardon is most vividly symbolized by the sacrifice of the first born lamb. Abel had this heart, but Cain did not. What Cain had were a sense of duty, responsibility and service. These were precious senses, but not the most precious. God saw in Abel a heart to empty himself, and in Cain a heart that would not seek righteousness beyond his own. Thus God approved of Abel but not of Cain.
05/22
When the perfect thing comes, then that which is in part will be caused to cease. 1 Corinthians 13:10
Perfection of Work in Heaven
The true work begins when we enter heaven. We are coworkers with God already in this life; and in the life to come, we enter into closer fellowship with Him in His creation-works. We hope for continuous perfect working in the life to come, which is the height of bliss, like that of Michelangelo standing with a chisel before his sculpture, or of Leonardo da Vinci sitting with a brush before his canvas. True bliss is found only in action; life is action; and where there is no action, there is no life and no bliss. Heaven cannot be otherwise than constant, fruitful, perfect and blessing actions. And we are destined for such a life, and such an action. Oh, bliss it is to have been born, and also to have suffered and still to suffer.
05/23
This is the work of God that you believe on Christ whom he has sent. John 6:29
Belief as Work
The essence of true Christianity is neither to work, nor to attempt to work; it is simply to believe. I believe that God loves me not because I am good but because I am His creature, His child. I believe that He loves me with His fatherly love, and helps me more than I seek. Such a belief on my part prepares me to receive strength in my inmost self morally, psychologically, and even physically, which comes from the infinite depth of His Being. Without my attempting to work, I am made to work by the power which works in me; I simply believing in Him. And He works mightily in and through me. . . All this is a matter of practical experience. I need no dogma to support me in my belief; no bishop to confirm me in it. Any person can believe if he or she wills to believe. Only it takes courage to believe. Indeed, to believe is the greatest deed of humankind.
05/24
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brothers. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Everyone hating his brother is a murderer. And you know that no murderer has everlasting life abiding in him. 1 John 4:14-15
Christianity is Love
Christianity is not church; neither is it dogma. Christianity is love; not love in general, but love in specific. Christianity is primarily and essentially love of enemies. God so loved the world, the rebellious, apostate, God-hating world, that He gave His only begotten son. That is Christianity. Without free, generous, joyous love of enemies, there is no Christianity to speak about. Then, how about those so-called Christian nations with all their churches, doctrines, theologies, bishops, doctors of divinities, foreign missionaries and social services, yet intensely hating their enemies who are mostly "brother-Christians," declaring war against one another, and delighting over the fall of their rivals, and preparing for another and next war? Should we not say that Christianity has never yet been tried on any universal scale?
05/25
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the world's rulers, of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Therefore take to yourselves the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:12-13
Battle against Satan
We can not avoid battle at all as long as we stand for the Gospel of Christ in this world. We fight neither to get others suffer nor to make our revenge. We, of course, love peace most. We wish to spend our life in fellowship with the Bible and the Nature, and in singing and praise. But the Lord does not allow us to do so, who saved us from sin by sacrificing himself on the battle of the Cross. We too have to struggle against Satan, who is not just of spirit "within" but also of flesh "without" such as hypocrites, deceiver, drunkards, bribers, adulterers, cruel persons and the like. We sometimes have to rebuke them, without being afraid of their anger.
05/26
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. ... For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. Romans 8: 1-2, 4
Spirit and Asceticism
Christianity is neither stoicism, nor of course its opposite licentiousness. Christianity is never a dead doctrine but a life alive, a way to replace a life of flesh with a life of spirit. It teaches me not to abide in flesh, not to be governed by flesh and not to let flesh predominate over me. Moreover, it controls flesh not with the admonitions of laws but with the power of spirit. Paul therefore asserts "but if you through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, you shall live" (Romans 8:13). He never says "by self-mortification" but "through the Spirit." This is a clear way in measuring, and definite in effect. It well answers common sense, bearing fruit everlasting. By faith, to look up to Jesus, to be granted with the reward of the Holy Spirit, and to walk according to its guidance. By doing this, the flesh shall be rightly controlled without turning to the extremes of either stoicism or licentiousness.
05/27
Abraham puzzled not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was firm in faith, giving glory to God. Romans 4:20
Belief
Belief is not an intellectual act. It is not a result of careful investigations. Belief is an apprehension of truth with our whole being. Belief is therefore instantaneous. Psychologically, it is an act akin to man's falling in love with a woman; he sees and believes her. The relationship between God and the faithful is intimate; God speaks, and a faithful trusts in His words. God calls, and a faithful responds by saying: "Here I am; send me'' (Isaiah 6: 8). We cannot make a person a believer with all our arguments. All we can do is to witness our beliefs. Belief is sweet perception; it is human's falling in love with God and His truth.
05/28
Well done, good and faithful servant; You have been faithful over a few things, I will make You ruler over many things; enter You into the joy of your lord. Matthew 25:23
True Love of Nation
The way to be loyal to one's country does not necessarily imply taking up politics or the military. To serve society, one does not need do at once social work. Nothing is more patriotic and public serving than doing one's own work faithfully, according to one's own faculty. Rembrandt painted good pictures and honored the name of Holland. Wordsworth wrote good poetry and changed the social morals of the British people. The way of public service is not limited to one. Art, music, poetry, prophesy; each one of these, when done faithfully, is an enterprise that enriches a country and purifies a nation. Not necessarily on a platform at parliament, but within a secluded study, one can fully imprint generations to come. Not necessarily engaged in a charity work, but solitarily lecturing on the Bible, one can perform a greater love than the charity work. Doing faithfully what you are sent to this world for, you can contribute to your country, transform your society and, yea, you can move the whole universe. Pray, and be quiet. Give up "movement" or "propaganda," and be a little but great patriot, or a reformer.
05/29
Paul called the disciples to continue in the faith and preached that through much suffering we must enter into the Nation of God. Acts 14:22
Need of Suffering
Suffering is a necessary condition of life. A person come to God though suffering. By suffering one dies in flesh, lives in spirit, and enters everlasting life. This is why suffering lasts throughout life. The world without suffering is the world unbearable in deed. Everlasting life is to know God. We come to know God and enter everlasting life when we share suffering with His son. Do not escape suffering, but endure and overcome it. I believe this is the way of the Gospel of Christ.
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