Lost Causes

Greetings from Luanshya!

Last Sunday in the Men's Bible Study at our English-speaking church we studied Acts 9 dealing with the conversion of Saul. As you will remember, Saul was a zealous and enthusiastic persecutor of Christians who thought he was doing the right thing by arresting and imprisoning those who claimed the Lord Jesus Christ as their Messiah and Lord. It was only after coming face-to-face with the Lord Jesus Christ that Saul realised that the person he rejected was, in fact, the Messiah. He went from one who hated those who followed Christ to a follower of Christ in a matter of moments. His biggest problem at that time was trying to get beyond the reputation that he had spent so much effort to create. By any definition he was a "lost cause" for the cause of Christ. Nobody would have thought that Saul of Tarsus could be reached with the Gospel... until he met the Saviour.

The first question in our Bible Study was "Do you know anyone that you believe is a 'lost cause' to Christianity?" Just about everyone had a name (or several) on the tip of their tongue. I told them that ALL of us were "lost causes" before we came to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and that it was only by the grace of God that we were His children. I then shared the following story. I am using initials because this is being published on our web page and I do not want to embarrass anyone here.

Mr B is a middle-aged man. Mr C is a very young man. I led him to the Lord several years ago and baptised him in a swimming pool before we had an indoor baptistery. Both work at the same company here in Luanshya. When Mr C went to work at this company he ultimately began working side-by-side with Mr B. Mr C noticed immediately that Mr B was not a happy person. Every other word from his mouth was either vulgar or profane. Mr C asked him what was bothering him that would make him talk like he did. Mr B was initially dismissive and even rude, but after watching and listening to Mr C for several months he asked him what made him different. Mr C told him that he had something that Mr B needed. Mr C brought Mr B to see me. Mr B said, Mr Coleman, I need what Mr C has and I need it now. Mr B was saved as a young man, but his experience in church was not pleasant. The was a lot of denominational infighting and he finally decided that "church" was not what he wanted or needed. As we spoke tears gathered in his eyes and he said, "I need to come back." He started our discipleship course that day. Two other men started the discipleship course last week as well and another three men will be starting in two weeks. Interestingly enough, the men are realising their need to know more about God and the Bible.

Thank you for your prayers on our behalf! Because of your support we are able to be here to reach the "lost causes" and bring them to the Saviour.

Together in His Service,
Patrick & Sherry