Koreans: The Bereans of our Time
Towards the close of the nineteenth century South Korean is one of
the countries in the world that the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ
had a remarkable impact and had received overwhelming acceptance
nationwide. After the civil war, the country had focused their
attention to Almighty God. It was mentioned that attendance in the
Sunday service in a church under the leadership of a Minister of
God, Dr. (Paul) David Choi and his dynamic 750 ministers of God, may
at times, be in the neighborhood of 700,000 believers not to talk of
the satellite churches in the suburb. (The humble man of God was
known as Paul before he changed his name to David). Of course, we
know that it is not the large population of a church that matters
but the faithfulness of the church, but one thing had been
established in this community of believers is that, all have been
brought to the knowledge of Christ. The church have over 200 Prayer
Mountains in Seoul alone and about 25,000 Korean believers do attend
the church's morning services before embanking on their daily
activities just to mention some of their commitments and
dedications.
When
one of the believers was interviewed recently, about the secret
behind this rapid growth among Christian in the country, “we bring
the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ into our homes and put it on
the lamp post for everyone to see,” was his reply. The secret
includes early morning prayer, willingness to serve God and their
sensitivity to the directives of God according to the Bible.
Further, the interview revealed the way they became Christian, the
divine transformation in their life style -- the way they were
living the gospel life in terms of love and trust which was very
close to what we read about at the beginning of Christian age,
because of that blessed tie of love that bind each of them together
in the Lord. Act 2:44-47. It further revealed how they formed “cell
group” for bible study and prayer meeting purposes in their homes.
This cell group can be described as mini church in their homes.
During the church activities the members of the cell group will join
the assembly of believers. When the cell group is fully grown to a
certain number of believers, usually 16, it will split into two and
will be meeting separately within the same environment until the two
new cells will be fully grown for another split. As of today the
cell groups has grown up to about 52,000. As a result of this
wonderful Christian community development, family friends and loved
ones were brought closer to God.
“Go
into the world and make disciple of me” is the greatest commission
to believers and this holy mission had been blessed ab initio.
But the bible did not specify the approach to be used and the
classes of people to be made his disciples were not mentioned.
Consider the spiritual gifts that God has endowed you for the
edification of the church and employ them for this great mission.
You may be a great singer, yours may be a gift of care, and yours
may be the gift of administration, other a gift of love (agape) or a
special way of life as long as the gospel of Jesus Christ can be
communicated to others. Turn your rare gifts to bring forth the
gospel of Jesus Christ to the loved ones around you. Let the new
love you found in the Lord be shared among your parents, brothers
and sisters, your husband, wife, friends and the loved ones because
they are part of the world out of which Jesus Christ directed you to
make His disciples.
At
this period of special resolutions, why don't you resolve to bring
precious souls to the Lord from this perishing world this New Year,
in appreciation of His love for you? His death on the cross of
Calvary for mankind must not be in vain. “. . . Berea were more
noble . . . in that they received the word with all readiness of
mind, and searched the scriptures daily whether those things were
so.” (Acts 17:10-11)
Let us borrow a leaf from the Bereans of our time and approach this
issue with all sincerity. Bring the light of the gospel into your
home make it bright among your family, it will be an everlasting
legacy that no one can take from them. Live it among your friends
and neighbors so that they will see the beauty of Jesus Christ in
your life and glorify God Almighty.
From the dawn of the morning to close of day,
In example in deeds and in all you say,
Lay your gifts at His feet,
Ever strive to keep sweet,
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in you.
(Albert W. T. Orsborn, 1916)
