I've been reading the book "Revolution in World Missions" by K.P. Yohannan. In case you don't know who that is, he is the founder of Gospel for Asia, a mission organization focused on reaching the unreached parts of Asia. I have started to cry at least 4 times already while reading different clips from this amazing book. (and I'm only about 3/4 done!)
One thing that really struck me was this segment:
"What would Jesus do if He walked into our churches today? I am afraid He would not be able to say to us, "You have kept the faith, you have run the race without turning left or right, and you have obeyed My command to reach this world." I believe He would go out to look for a whip, because we have made His Father's house a den of robbers. If that is so, then we must recognize that the hour is too desperate for us to continue to deceive ourselves. We are past the point of revival or reformation. If this Gospel is to be preached in all the world in our lifetime, we must have a Christian, heaven-sent revolution."
Before writing this segment, K.P. talks of how churches in the U.S. (he is from India) have become so focused one themselves and their comfort- wanting to keep people interested in coming to church by providing gyms, sport teams, and even exercise classes. The sad thing is that it is true.
"Many of the crisis problems that are considered disasters in the United Stated would only be normal, everyday living conditions in most of Asia. When we have disasters in the Orient, the death tolls read like Vietnam War body counts. Asian governments struggle with these tremendous social problems and limited resources. Yet despite all these massive social programs, the problems of hunger, population and poverty continue to grow. The real culprit is not a person, lack of natural resources or a system of government. It is spiritual darkness. It thwarts every effort to make progress. It dooms our people to misery- both in this social reform that can be brought to Asia is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. More than 400 million of my people have never heard the name of Jesus Christ. They need the hope and truth that only the Lord Jesus can provide."
I have been so humbled and broken by reading this book (and I'm not even done yet.) There is so much work to be done in this world. We must provide the hope and truth that only the Lord Jesus can provide. It's time to stop the complaints and the fears and do what needs to be done because it's not about us.
1 comment:
I thought this was an AMAZING book as well and was also challenged by it. I read it right after coming back from living in Honduras for 8 months and it was such good timing because I was already slipping into my comfy lifestyle in the States. I could stand to read the book again. I remember I cried the most at the part where the elderly woman wants to support just one more missionary in Asia, so she decides to disconnect her phone... I hope I have faith and generosity like that when I'm her age.
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