Unlearning Tradition, Relearning Scripture

Tag: Trust in God’s Goodness at all times

  • The Wedding Vow

    Recently, a friend from afar came to visit us. She inquired about my journey to becoming a pastor. To summarize my experience, I explained that I spent six years in an organized church, where I received a salary. However, for close to twelve years now, I have been serving independently, conducting Bible studies without a salary. Instead, I trust in God for voluntary contributions. She was amazed by God’s goodness and grace.

    Is it permissible for a pastor to engage in money-making ventures or be employed in secular work while also serving God? Paul addressed this question in 1 Corinthians 9:7-14.

    “Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does He not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.” (1 Corinthians 9:7-14)

    Jesus told a person who wanted to follow Him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” (Luke 9:58)

    We do not follow Jesus for material gains, but rather for forgiveness, restoration to God, and the gift of eternal life. This principle applies to everyone, including both pastors and disciples of Christ.

    Jesus warns those who wish to follow Him that it won’t be easy. It’s not a bed of roses; life’s challenges will still arise. He further emphasized this by telling another potential follower, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)

    It’s ironic that many Christians often put Jesus or the Bible on the backseat when life’s troubles or even busyness arise. This is not a true way to follow Jesus Christ. Following Him can be summarized by the wedding vow: “I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.”

    Oddly, Jesus even states, “Whoever loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” (Matthew 10:37)

    The journey of following Jesus is a narrow path with no other options. Hence, Jesus earlier in Luke 9 teaches: “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.” (Luke 9:23-24)

    Doesn’t seem to have options there, do we? It requires a strong commitment to follow Him, regardless of the consequences or obstacles. Jesus Christ invites us, saying, “Come, follow Me,” with no qualifications or exceptions.

    During our Bible study, we often come across a passage in Scripture that leads to disagreement among some participants about its applicability to everyone. Consider Christ’s directive: “And Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, ‘You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.’” (Mark 10:21).

    Is this an isolated teaching in Scripture? It is not. Jesus, in Luke 12:33-34, teaches something similar that applies to all who wish to be His disciples: “Sell your possessions and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Luke 12:33-34)

    The central message of Christ Jesus is not to demand that we sell all our possessions, but rather to emphasize that we should not love material wealth more than we love God. We need to place our hearts in the right position, as stated in Matthew 6:19-21. Jesus further explains, “No one can serve two masters; either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24)

    We should follow Jesus with full conviction and trust. Take some time to reflect on whether you can endure the journey of following Him. The cost may be high, but the reward is priceless—eternal entry into God’s kingdom. Remember that when we decide to follow Jesus Christ, we are bound by a sacred commitment, like a wedding vow.

    Peter, in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share this article freely, for you freely receive. Take note, underlines and highlights are clickable links for definitions or Bible references. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessing!

  • Trust in God’s Goodness at All Times.

    The night after our family cat passed away, I was reminded by a Christian song titled “It is well with my soul” that even in the midst of loss, we should trust in God. This might seem superficial to some, but my wife and daughter had prayed that Lanky would recover enough to return home. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, and we had to let him go on October 12th.

    Today, as I reflect on the song, I remembered having a devotional book titled “The One Year Christian History” in my possession. Browsing through its pages, I came to a story that aptly applies to our circumstance. So, I am posting it here verbatim.

    Can God be Trusted with our Children?

    The early years on the mission field were very difficult for Jonathan and Rose Goforth. Four of their eight children died in their first twelve years in China. During the Boxer Rebellion of 1900, the family barely escaped with their lives. They traveled home to Canada for a brief furlough and then returned to China with a new addition to their family, little Constance, who was born during their furlough.

    Back in China, Jonathan’s new responsibility was to evangelize one-third of the Changte region. On their way to the mission station, Jonathan told Rose about the plan he felt God had given him to reach this goal. He would send one of his assistants ahead to rent a place for the family to live for a month. Once there, Jonathan would preach in the streets or villages during the day, while Rose would preach to women in their courtyard. Each evening, they would hold a service in their home with Jonathan preaching and Rose playing the organ. At the end of the month, they would move to another town, leaving behind an evangelist to teach the new believers.

    Rose thought it sounded like a wonderful plan, but as they had five little ones, she was adamantly against it. She would remain at their home at Changte mission station, and that was that. Having already buried four children in China, she couldn’t bear the thought of losing another, and she was convinced Jonathan’s plan would put the children’s lives at risk.

    As they made the long river journey to Changte, Jonathan continued to plead with Rose. He also loved their children dearly and couldn’t bear the thought of losing another, yet God had given him an inexplicable peace that they would be safe if they followed this plan.

    Finally, Jonathan said to her, “Rose, I am so sure this plan is of God that I fear for the children if you disobey His call. The safest place for the children is the path of duty. You think you can keep your children safe in your comfortable home in Changte, but God may show you you cannot. But He can and will keep the children if you trust Him and step out in faith!”

    The Goforths reached their home at Changte on a Saturday evening. On Sunday morning, Rose left the children with their faithful servant. Two hours later, Rose returned to find their son Wallace ill. The doctor called, and he diagnosed it as one of the worst cases of dysentery he had ever seen.

    For two weeks, Jonathan and Rose struggled for the child’s life. Finally, Wallace began to recover. When Jonathan felt confident that his son would survive, he left to begin his first evangelistic tour alone.

    The day after Jonathan left, baby Constance began suddenly ill, just as Wallace had, only much worse. By the time Jonathan arrived, Constance was dying. As the two parents knelt beside her, Rose suddenly experienced a revelation of God’s love in a way she hadn’t experienced before – as a Father. All of a sudden she was filled with the realization that her heavenly Father could be trusted to keep her children. It so overwhelmed her that she could only bow her head and pray, “O God, it is too late for Constance, but I will trust. I will go where you want me to go. But keep my children!”

    Such a peace came over Rose that when Jonathan turned to her and sorrowfully said, “Constance is gone,” she was comforted knowing that her baby’s life had not been in vain.

    Little Constance was buried next to two of her sisters on October 13, 1902, her first birthday. Armed with her renewed trust in God’s faithfulness, Rose had two more children while they served as missionaries, but no more died in China.

    Life consists of many surprises. Good or bad, we ought to trust in God. The Bible said, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) Unlike man and circumstances, He changes not. His faithfulness endures forever.

    Similar to our experience before embracing faith, it was the loss of our only son that compelled my wife and me to trust in God. Unexpectedly, we faced numerous challenges and betrayals from those we believed were fellow believers in Christ Jesus. Yet, our faith remained steadfast throughout these trials.

    We can see a similar story reflected in the life of Joseph. He was betrayed and nearly killed, then sold into slavery by his own brothers. Despite being in slavery, Joseph trusted God. He later suffered false accusations from his master’s wife and ended up in jail. However, after God had prepared him to save Israel, it was through his jailmate that Pharaoh learned of Joseph’s ability to interpret his troubling dream.

    To summarize, God used Joseph to save both Israel and Egypt from a seven-year famine. It is only when we learn to let go of our own agendas and follow God’s guidance that He can use us powerfully for His purposes. After Jacob’s death, Joseph’s brothers feared he would seek revenge against them. However, Joseph, having been shaped by God, reassured his brothers by saying, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today” (Genesis 50:20).

    To answer my wife’s and daughter’s query about unanswered prayers, I believe they both know that they cannot question God’s sovereignty. But for people reading this blog, let me first give you the right perspective. Scripture said, “Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O LORD.” (Psalm 36:5-6)

    God cares deeply for the lives of both humans and animals and takes no pleasure in death, especially that of little children. Scripture affirms this in Psalm 116:15, which states, “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.” Contrary to the beliefs of some Christians, God does not condemn innocent children. In fact, Jesus emphasized, “Let the children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:16). Therefore, the death of a child is also precious in the eyes of the LORD, as they are safely cradled in the embrace of Christ Jesus.

    This has been a profound question for me for many years, especially after losing a child who was barely nine. I give thanks for God’s word, and after many years of studying and walking with the Lord Jesus Christ, I finally found His answer to my question.

    When it comes to seemingly unanswered prayers, it’s important to remember that God always listens to the prayers of His people. He even hears the prayers of repentant sinners. However, God does not have to respond according to our wishes. Instead, our prayers, like those of Rose, should be offered in submission to God’s sovereignty and grace. Only then can we be of good use to God for His greater purpose. Glory be to God and Him alone!

    Peter, in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share this article freely, for you freely receive. Take note, underlines and highlights are clickable links for definitions or Bible references. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessing!