This is why christians need to continue to discuss how we can be proactive in spreading the gospel. We need to understand that in order for everything to be put in order, there must first be the stage of emptiness and chaos that we read about in Genesis. A mother must go through an enormous amount of pain in order to bring a child into the world. Similarly, a tremendous battle is taking place as Christians work to spread the gospel. A mother cannot just give up during childbirth because she is having a hard time; if she did, it would be very dangerous for the baby.
In the same way, when the work of spreading the gospel is clearly set before us, but we come up against some problem or difficulty and give up, the true life that it is our duty to proclaim will not come to fruition. No matter how busy she may be—even if millions of dollars are at stake—when it is time for a mother to give birth, she must deliver her child. She cannot think, “I am busy right now, so after I take this phone call, and after I eat something to build up some strength, then I will give birth.” She cannot do that.
The work of the gospel continues even now, and we can see this clearly. Until the gospel bears fruit, there is no time to stop and look around. We need to push forward to the very end. All our human problems are resolved in the process of spreading the gospel; they just melt away. The responsibility of carrying out this work that God has entrusted to our hands is a matter to be taken seriously as we discuss how to fulfill this task. We should not make the excuse that someone else will do the evangelizing, or that we do not get on well with a certain missionary in a certain country; we need to be aware that all such human emotions are obstructing the way of the gospel that God has granted to this earth. It is only when we overcome such thoughts and rise up to spread the gospel that all the other problems resolve themselves in the midst of the work. I truly believe this.
Whether it is the love between a man and woman, or any other such deep love, there is no love stronger than that of the gospel that God has bestowed on man. When this love is proclaimed to the world through us, all the many problems, difficulties, and concerns we have disappear in the midst of this work. A person who has the love from God in his heart needs to participate in discussions regarding this work. This is not our own work; it is God’s work. Anyone who has been born again through God’s word and is grateful for this in his heart cannot ignore this matter.
If you still feel the work of spreading the gospel has nothing to do with you and it is someone else’s job, then I would ask you to take a look at what is deep down inside you. If, as a born-again Christian you think of yourself as part of the body of Christ, you need to examine yourself to see what your attitude has been until now in regard to the continuing work of spreading the gospel, and ask yourself if perhaps you have been an obstacle in this work. You need to think about the words you have spoken and thoughts you have entertained in your daily life.
The Bible tells us, “Those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name” (Malachi 3:16). “Those who feared the Lord spoke to one another”, it is important for us to remember that each time one person after another comes to hear about the gospel through conversations like this, there is a great feast of rejoicing in heaven.
The Bible also says that these conversations are recorded in a book of remembrance before God. So it is important to study the Bible, but there must also be earnest conversations between the brothers and sisters. If you have not yet come to realize the truth of the gospel, when you attend such gatherings to study the Bible, it is important to keep in mind that you need to find a certain answer from the Bible. If you have already come to realize the truth of the gospel, you need to pledge your life for the gospel and plan out what you can do for the sake of the gospel. If we do not have such thoughts, there is no meaning to our meeting together.
The believers need to discuss in depth how we are going to evangelize, and how we can help build the framework of the church in the places where the gospel has been spread. I have already said it is not for our own pleasure that we evangelize, but to please God. All the blessings, joys, and assurance in the Bible come down to us from God who is above all; this is not something that we can offer God. Even the joy we feel when we see our family members or close friends coming to realize the truth of the gospel does not stem from our own hearts; God has breathed His joy into our hearts. Just as water flows from a higher place to a lower place, God’s love flows down to us from above.
But that He Loved Us
Even within the accounts of Adam and Eve recorded in the book of Genesis, we can find an expression of God’s love. At the end of Genesis chapter 2, we read that before they disobeyed God’s command and ate the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they were both naked, but they were not ashamed. At that time, they did not know shame.
The devil, however, deceived Eve, telling her they would not surely die if they ate the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He said that God had told them not to eat the fruit because He knew that if they did their eyes would be opened, and they would be like God. When Eve heard this, she ate the fruit. Then through Eve, Adam also ate some of the fruit, and in this way, mankind fell into the abyss of sin.
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. Genesis 3:6-7
Their eyes were opened and they realized they were naked. This was the moment when the communication was cut off between God and man, who had been created in the image of God. As they listened to Satan’s voice telling them they could eat the forbidden fruit, they disobeyed God’s command telling them they were not to eat it on any account. As a result, man came to stand on the side of darkness from that time on. This marked the beginning of the history of sin, which permeated man’s whole being.
Now, we need to take a look at what Adam did after this. God had told Adam not to eat the fr
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