THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHURCH
AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
CHAPTER FOURTEEN:
THE RESTORATION OF THE CHURCH GROUND
WEEK 10 – FRIDAY
Bible Reading: Acts 4:29; Rom. 8:31–39
Read and pray: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or anxiety, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?” (Rom. 8:35)
In northern China I was imprisoned and tortured by the Japanese because I was unwilling to compromise. Had I compromised with the denominations, I would not have been imprisoned or had so much trouble. I was put in prison because I was not willing to cooperate with the denominations.
Our friends in the denominations wanted to draw me to their side, to make me like them, but I stood firm. For this reason they spoke unfavorably about me to the Japanese military police, who eventually arrested me.
After three weeks of interrogation, the Japanese military police could not find any evidence against me. Then they said: “Mr. Lee, we’ve interrogated you for three and a half weeks, but we can’t find anything wrong with you. [...] Why is it that those in Christianity don’t speak well of you?” Their question made me realize that those in the denominations had spoken all kinds of evil about me to the Japanese.
The president of the United Christian Association, who was a former classmate and neighbor of a brother among us, heard of my arrest by the Japanese. Before I was imprisoned, the wife of a pastor spoke to a crowd in front of her house, expressing joy that the Japanese would discipline me.
Because I never cooperated with the denominations, they wanted the Japanese to discipline me. I was truly under threat of death while in prison, for to the Japanese military police, killing a Chinese was as easy as killing a chicken. The Lord preserved my life during that time.
After I was released from prison, our friends in the denominations asked me once again to cooperate with them. They did not pressure me; rather, I was informed that twelve congregations would participate in a conference and one speaker from each congregation would give a sermon. I was also told on which day I should preach. I told the brothers that even if I were to die, I would not preach that sermon.
Then an older brother accompanied me on a visit to the president of the United Christian Association, as I felt it was courteous to inform him that I could not accept the engagement. The president thought I should consider and pray about it. When I said there was no need to pray, he said, “Mr. Lee, what you are doing is very dangerous.” I solemnly replied, “Since you said that, I want you to know that the worst you can do is have me arrested and thrown into prison again.”
It was hard to believe that they used the word “dangerous” when asking for my cooperation. I believe this was the enemy’s scheme to force us to become like institutionalized Christianity. At that time, those in that Christianity hated that we were different from them. If we had reconciled with them and become like them, the enemy would have applauded loudly, for his scheme would have succeeded.
What God has shown us is not merely a matter of salvation or spirituality. He has shown us where a Christian should and should not be. This is the testimony we have been bearing for over thirty years. Satan, however, has been pushing us away from this testimony, wanting us to reconcile with institutional Christianity. If that happens, Satan will have succeeded. Therefore, we must be clear and realize our need to maintain this distinction.
THE PRACTICE OF THE
GROUND BRINGS BLESSING
Brother Austin-Sparks did not know this when he came to Taiwan. He left Taiwan in March and arrived in London in April. In May, he wrote an article in his magazine in which he praised us, saying: “For many days I spoke during the day to over five hundred selected Christian workers and at night to about two thousand believers. Moreover, we visited churches for several days, and all the ones we visited were fervent. The faces of the brothers shone, eagerly waiting for fellowship with us. They devoured every word we spoke.” Brother Austin-Sparks treated us with great honor. However, I would like to ask him if he knows the main reason our work has been successful.
Many may think the main reason is the work of the Holy Spirit. We agree. But why would the Holy Spirit not bless a work carried out on other grounds? I believe Brother Austin-Sparks met many missionaries from the West and people from other groups while in Taiwan.
All were working zealously. They had more resources than we did and were more talented. Some among them were even better educated than we were and had better reputations. Why then did Brother Austin-Sparks not praise their work? Why does the Holy Spirit not work among them? We clearly realize that if we have obtained any praiseworthy results, it is because we have not reconciled with the denominations.
Had we worked in reconciliation with the denominations since 1949, we would not have achieved the same results. The main reason our work is praised is that we have the ground. Unfortunately, Brother Austin-Sparks saw the result but did not recognize the reason behind it.
Enjoy more: Hymn S-99
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