Dear COA Family,
“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light
shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory
displayed in the face of Christ.” 2 Cor 4:6
The apostle Paul, in writing this statement, alluded to the fact that the
salvation of souls is principally a spiritual battle.
Earlier, he writes that “(t)he god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ” (v4). In other words, the devil has so filled the minds of unbelievers with false and unhealthy thought patterns so that they cannot understand Christ’s saving gospel. No matter how eloquent we may be, we cannot penetrate the veil of deception covering their minds.
Here is where God’s power comes into play. He shines his light into the hearts of human beings so that we can see the truth clearly. It is therefore not by human efforts alone that people can enter into the saving grace of Christ. The Holy Spirit must work on the person’s heart as well.
Which means to say that in our sharing of the gospel this Chinese New Year (CNY), we need to lean in to the leading, guidance and power of the Holy Spirit in all we do and say. As we do so, the power of God will flow through our words and actions to impact our hearers.
I had a chance just this week to witness to my uncle who had resisted Christianity for many years. This was during the first day of CNY. Over the past many years, it seemed that nothing anyone says to him can penetrate his heart. Yet the Lord spoke to me about a verse from his word to say to him. So I told him, “The Lord in your shepherd” (Ps 23:1). Immediately he closed his eyes and prayed to Jesus to help him. Praise God for shining his
light into my uncle’s heart!
During this New Year and subsequent weeks and months ahead, be sure to rely on the leading and power of the Holy Spirit when you share the gospel. For it is ultimately a spiritual battle for the souls of human beings. It is accomplished “not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty (Zechariah 4:6).
May the Lord bless you all to be fishers of men and win souls for Christ!
God bless,
Revd Ian