LEGASI.tv: Strength for the Storm (first published, 1988) translated by Arthur Reynolds, Book Review

Friday, August 6, 2021

Strength for the Storm (first published, 1988) translated by Arthur Reynolds, Book Review

Strength for the Storm (first published, 1988) translated by Arthur Reynolds

This is the subtitle of the book: "Spiritual lessons - from Wang Mingdao, John Sung and other Chinese preachers - which prepared the Church for suffering." Did you catch that? "Prepared the Church for suffering"!? Not to avoid suffering or to philosophized suffering or to think positive about suffering but to prepare, to expect, and to get ready for the imminent coming of suffering to the church. Jesus Christ reminds His followers, "In the world, you shall have tribulation" (John 16:33). Paul told Timothy the cost of following Christ, "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12). The glorified Christ said to the church of Smyrna, "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer… Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Revelation 2:10). It is no doubt, based on Biblical witnesses, that the true Church of God a.k.a. committed Christ-followers WILL suffer persecution in some form and to some degree or another. But I want to warn us about these two things. First, suffering for doing evil or wrong things doesn't count (read 1 Peter 2:20, 3:17). If you're an irresponsible citizen of Malaysia or teach false teachings, then, the suffering you are experiencing is deserving. And secondly, don't fall into a destructive psychological behavior martyr complex (victim complex) where you seek suffering to 'prove' your commitment. There is no room for victim mentality in the people with the mind of Christ.

"By their sturdy faith and indomitable courage the churches in China, like the church of the Thessalonians, have become a pattern for believers beyond their boundaries," writes Arthur Reynolds, who was an OMF missionary in China and Japan in the 30s to 60s. "From the time of the Boxer Rising in 1900, if not much earlier, the Christians in China have learned to live with persecution. No period of testing has proved fiercer, longer-lasting, or more widespread than that which began before mid-century, in which one upheaval followed another. More recently the situation for the Christian community has somewhat eased. But there is still a long way to go." In this dark period of China, the light of the Gospel shine slowly but surely. It all begins with the sovereignty of God and the promise of the Messiah when He said, "On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). It was He who send pioneer missionaries to China from all over the world and through their persevering and sacrificial work, God raised a unique group of Chinese Christian leaders, to whom He gave special gifts of preaching and teaching. Their ministries were to "build up the churches and prepare them to face the fiery trials ahead." The spiritual lessons covered in the book are actually translated sermons by men such as Wang Mingdao (an example of Peter's restoration), John Sung (one of my heroes of faith), Marcus Cheng, David Yang, Wilson Wang, C.K. Cheng, and Min Ruji. Of course, there were many other outstanding men and women of God in the history of Christianity in China. These are just the samples of the faithful men and their message.

What makes these men outstanding? Arthur Reynolds explains: "In my view, it is the combination of three notable features. 1) Their gifts and abilities; 2) Their character and conduct; and 3) Their readiness to endure hardship. In other words, they have exercised a powerful and influential ministry of preaching; they have lived lives of known integrity; and as the consequence of their loyalty, both to the Lord and the Faith, they have experienced hardship, loss, and persecution. They have been refined in the fire." These lessons were written with sweat and blood! I have been encouraged and challenged when I read this book. Their doctrine is Christ-centered, their content is Bible-saturated, and their style is Eastern-sound and heart-warming. My favorite chapters are Unfolding the Gospel (Chp. 1), Exalting the Lord Jesus Christ (Chp. 2), Challenging Young People (Chp. 7) & Encouraging the Downhearted and Troubled (Chp. 8). As I closed this book, I wonder, are we - Christian preachers and teachers in Malaysia, especially in Sarawak - preparing the church for suffering? Have we personally suffered for Christ? Or, are the false gospels of health and wealth, liberalism and pluralism, tolerance and cowardice blinded us from proclaiming the true Gospel of Christ that saved us? The storm is coming… are you ready? #ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #1Book1Week #GrowingLeaders #LeadersAreReaders #StrengthForTheStorm #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain