To only talk about the good and not the bad is the accepted norm here. But this is far from what a true testimony is. As we look back on 2014, regardless of seasons, we are bound to have our fair share of happy highs and loathsome lows, painful memories and praiseworthy moments.
Cults continue to invade the Church in a variety of ways and forms. Their constant onslaught reminds us that Jesus’ return is indeed near!
One prominent and aggressive cult recently renamed themselves to avoid detection. In one particular city in the north, 6 cult members from one family assaulted and killed a young girl in a crowded fast food restaurant. Her “crime?” She refused to strike up a conversation with one of them. The family of 6 ganged up on her and attacked her, shouting repeatedly, “You demon, you deserve to die and be damned forever!” One of our church members has an elder sister who was also led astray by this cult. During one of our evangelistic church services, this member invited her sister to attend. As J was preaching God’s Word, I could see her glaring sternly at him and mumbling to herself, “Nonsense! Rubbish! You’ll all be punished soon.”
In addition, there is also a popular Korean cult that uses social media to propagate their toxic heresies, confusing and misleading many pastors and believers.
Oh, how God loves and protects us! His timely Word in the books of Colossians, Jude and Matthew are what we have been meditating on and studying as a church for the year. Even our personal daily devotional reading are centered on Apologetics and guarding the flock from cults and heresies. God also sends His guardians to us in the form of two visiting friends. One is the dean of a bible school and the other a seminary lecturer. Not only were they lively in teaching, they showed how important and central bible study and its application is to a disciple of Christ. This is how we resist cults and heresies.
Thank God for sending 2 guardians to teach CTM Church on the importance of discipleship.
God’s desire is that we be disciples and to make disciples of Christ. For 2015, it’s not just about instructing CTM Church on how to do so, but asking God to lead us as we guide them in applying His Truth in their daily lives so that everyone eventually become passionate disciples of Christ.
