THE LOAKAN BAPTIST CHURCH HISTORY on her 56th anniversary

Edited from the Original by Roldan Egmin Caroy on Monday, December 10, 2012

. . .” the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore ,

to send out workers into the harvest field.”

(Matt. 9:27)

 

Yes, God is the Lord of the harvest.  By this, we give Him honor and thanksgiving on our 56th anniversary. God has used many people, many workers, many circumstances and opportunities to accomplish His work. He has sent workers into His harvest field in Loakan . . .

 

It was sometime in the late 1940’s and the early 1950’s that the seed of the work was planted through the ministries of the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (ABWE).  Missionaries including Rev. Alfred Conant, Rev. Jerome Casner and family, and the Baguio Baptist Church pioneered Bible classes and children’s Sunday school in what is known today as Puroks Ongasan and Mangga in Loakan Proper.

 

A small group of believers were organized and started to hold regular meetings and Bible classes, first in homes like those of the Cuilan and the Pedro Palispis families.  Later, worship services were held in a makeshift chapel made from donated materials including galvanized iron roofing by the late Mr. and Mrs. Hopewell.

 

The beginnings of the Loakan Baptist Church experienced its share of difficulties and persecutions.  Many of the local people whose paganistic traditions and practices were ingrained in daily living and family life did not readily accept the Word of God. The early believers could remember how their pews would be hang on trees by those unsympathetic to the faith. Also, for a period of about five years after the Conants left, the work seemed to come to a halt.  Inspite of the circumstances, there were those who persevered in the faith.

 

In 1956, Rev. Jerome Casner and Pastor Ansen Valentin started the baptism of new believers.  Formal worship and evening services and the remembrance of the Lord’s supper were started.  Before Rev. Jerome Casner and his family returned to the United States, the believers drafted their church constitution. The group then became known as the LOAKAN BAPTIST CHURCH.

 

By 1958, the makeshift chapel was transferred to a lot located on a hill overlooking the Airport or what is known today as Maryhills. The piece of property was donated by the late Mr. Ngamoy Sacay, an elderly who faithfully attended church. Again, unbelievers scoffed at the small chapel and would call it a “chicken coop” but the believers did not “chicken out” but continued to follow The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

 

In 1970, a wider lot was donated by Mr. Sacay on which the present church building now stands.  Construction started with a little less than P 5,000.00 on hand and with the leadership then of Pastor Felix Bigornia and a few deacons, the church building was put up.

 

Through the years, the expansion of the church building took place on all sides. Sunday School rooms to accommodate a pre-school was built on the eastern side of the church building under the pastorate of Rev. Larry Domingo.  Church members donated and loaned their money to augment the meager amount that was available to finish the project.

 

In 1990, an adjacent 500 sq.m. lot was bought by the church and annexed to the church frontage.  During the same year in July, a killer earthquake hit the City of Baguio and its suburbs.  The church building sustained considerable damage when the southern portion of the building eroded and the wall collapsed. God’s provision was once again made evident through the gifts from His people, friends and members from here and abroad.  Repairs were undertaken not long thereafter.

 

Again in 1998, under the pastorate of Pastor Graciano Saugen, additional Sunday School rooms and a multi-purpose hall were annexed to the western side of the church. This was to accommodate the growth of the pre-school and the Sunday School classes.

 

More important than the growth in property and improvement in physical structure, the Lord added to the number of believers each year.  From a handful of believers, hundreds if not thousands of lives have been touched by the ministry of the Loakan Baptist Church.  The church has brought the gospel not only to the local residents but to the different parts of Baguio and Benguet like Happy Hallow; Antamok Mines; Balatoc Mines; Camp 1; Camp 6; Loacan, Itogon; Daklan; Apalan; Guisset; Beckel; and Gumatdang. Furthermore, extending to the neighboring provinces like Bacnotan and Burgos of La Union; And, Lubo of Kalinga, Apayao. Daughter churches were established like the Happy Hallow Baptist Church; Balatoc Christian Fundamental Baptist Church; Community Fundamental Baptist Church in Loacan, Itogon; Camp 6 Baptist Church; Harvest Baptist Church in Bacnotan, La Union, and The Living Word Fundamental Baptist Church in Apalan-Guisset.

 

Through the years, God in His infinite wisdom, provided workers too many to mention in this piece of written history just so to accomplish His own purpose in the harvest field.

 

At present the church has around 300 members led by Ptr. Ruben Huyo being the Senior Pastor, Ptr. Geru Sardina as the Associate Pastor beginning year 2009 and Ptr. Lemuel Pay-an, who was recently designated as the Youth Pastor. The church has also absorbed and commissioned Ptr. Hubert Caroy as a Missionary Pastor last year 2011, since he has started mission work in places that of Apalan, Guisset, Cubabeng, Beckel and Gumatdang. His family also have been instrumental in supporting and assisting him, as he continues to evangelize and share the gospel of Christ to places who needs to hear the Hope that is in Christ Jesus. The church has been also given the burden to help in Vigan and commissioned Ptr. Nero and Penny Misajon year 2011 under the supervision of Ptr. Huyo.

 

This year, Ptr. Lowell Achedera was then also called to be the Pastor in Daklan, continuing to reach the lost souls and edify believers in the locality. The church has then decided as well to hand-over the work of the Lord in Burgos, La Union to our fellow Bible Baptist believers who are near the vicinity as it profits nothing competing with other Christian groups; Therefore, focusing more to God’s leading toward open doors of opportunity in sharing the Word of God and the Gospel to other unreached places. It has also been a great mileage and celebration as the Christian Education Center has reached it’s 30th Foundation Anniversary this year.   

 

The church continues on as the Living Body of Christ in the locality of Loakan through the given regular church services, prayer meetings, home and school bible classes, Sunday school, home visitations, the church arms – AWANA, AFC, Young Adults Group, Ladies Fellowship and Men’s Fellowship, music ministries, the Christian Education Center, Parents’ Bible classes and counseling sessions.  All  the activities are aimed to proclaim the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to them who are lost and edify or build the believers into becoming like Christ. 

 

The church also sends and supports local and foreign missionaries; Continues to support Bible School students, currently to name Mr. Roujay Balagot and Ms. Sharon Sison; And, even support volunteers who desire to be used in the ministry, currently to name Ms. Jochebed Caroy undergoing training in “Goducate.”  

 

Through some 56 years, God has amazingly and tremendously blessed the Loakan Baptist Church!  Truly the Lord of the harvest is faithful and worthy of our praise and thanksgiving!

 

Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your Name be  glory, because of your love and faithfulness.

May the Lord make you increase, both you and your children.

May you be blessed by the Lord, The Maker of heaven and earth.

The highest heavens belong to the Lord, But the earth he has given to man.

It is not the dead who praise the Lord, Those who go down in silence;

It is we who extol the Lord, Both now and forevermore.

Praise the Lord.

(Psalm 115 :1, 14-18)

WHERE WERE THE THOUSANDS OF FOLLOWERS?

"In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120)..." (Acts 1:15, ESV)

When Jesus walked and roamed the earth living His 33 and a half years or even taking His three years of ministry, it is recorded in the Bible that THOUSANDS followed Him... like when Jesus fed the 5000 or 4000 which was two different events recorded in the Bible... Wherever He went, THOUSANDS FOLLOWED... But the question was "WHERE WERE THEY, after His death, resurrection on the Third day, giving His last instructions and commands for forty days after His resurrection and after His ascension?" Perhaps the good question to ask is, "Were these THOUSANDS truly following after Jesus Christ or was it something else?" If you would think it honestly and carefully the answer, your answer should be the same as what Jesus Himself also declared before these thousands, and yet most of them still NEVER understood...

"Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For ON HIM God the Father has set his seal.” (John 6:26-27, ESV)

What a pity people are, seeking only those that are temporary and not that which is eternal. People easily are caught up with miracles and wonders. And yet from these THOUSANDS that saw Jesus do marvelous things, "How many were faithful to truly follow Jesus Christ whom God the Father has set His seal?" Acts 1:15 says only a HUNDRED TWENTY (120) were left faithful even after seeing their Master crucified and died. 

(2 Kings 18:1-4) "In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah, king of Israel, Hezekiah the son of Ahaz, king of Judah, began to reign. He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abi the daughter of Zechariah. And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done. HE REMOVED THE HIGH PLACES AND BROKE THE PILLARS AND CUT DOWN THE ASHERAH. AND HE BROKE IN PIECES THE BRONZE SERPENT THAT MOSES HAD MADE, FOR UNTIL THOSE DAYS THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL HAD MADE OFFERINGS TO IT (IT WAS CALLED NEHUSHTAN).

Do "CHRISTIANS" truly understand what Hoshea had done? And yet until now, professing Christians still does the error of Israel and continue to build what God has always so angry and go against and a reason why Hoshea was declared to be "he did what was RIGHT in the eyes of the Lord." 

God has always been so clear from the beginning and yet people are stiff-necked to think that "Hey, it's our belief and faith on God, NO ONE has the right to choose what is right for us!" or "This is what we believe which is right, therefore, don't judge or tell us to be wrong!".. This what we call today as "Post Modern Thinking".. The thinking that this is the modern era now and those old things are not right anymore. A reason to think that the Bible is outdated and has no life or power or authority at all. The thing is, the Bible stands on Its own and can defend itself as it has always declared to be God's instruction for "Doctrine" = God's Teaching / Principles, for "Reproof" = say what is wrong, for "Correction" = say what is the right ", and for "Instruction for righteousness" = to continue to instruct what is right in order for not to fall to sin in the future. (II Timothy 3:16-17)

While these people hardly listen, still Jesus calls for repentance (turn back against sin and follow after Christ) and remission of sins goes on with a hope that many would truly repent. For there WILL be a time when He shall judge all men. And the most pitiful people to experience is what Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23:

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

"I NEVER KNEW YOU! DEPART FROM ME, YE THAT WORK INIQUITY."

When the time comes to face Jesus Christ, the Lord, Master, and the Judge... will He truly welcome us or will say, this dreadful words? Remember, yes! God is Love... BUT He also is Justice! as He is The Righteous Judge.  

Church at Ephesus (Rev. 2:1-7)

                How do I start sharing my thoughts on this? Or what I’ve learned out of it? But in actuality, I think I learned just a few. Most of it would be a reminder and a rebuke! I’ve chosen to write my thoughts on these as a means of mastering / practicing my thoughts on this topic, as I will be sharing this Bible verses to our brethren at The Living Word Baptist Church (TLWBC). 

                It’s a reminder since I still remember before Bro. Roy Sanoy spoke about these things in the early years of the TLWBC. But I hardly can remember what were his points or the lessons or message from it. And that would be a good question to ask the members if they too can remember some of it. It is indeed interesting that most often, we forget what we learn. But nevertheless, I’m sure one of the main goal of every teaching / preaching of God’s Word is a changed life, a life that leads to Christ-likeness. I could still remember the question of manong Roy every time he speaks, “So what?” Meaning, what’s the point of learning all these things? And it’s good to ponder and personally realize it. The Word of God is not just about acquiring facts or knowledge but it’s about a changed life leading to glorifying God.

                Now let me get back to the topic itself! As per my research, the book of Revelations was written or authored by John, the last apostle of Jesus also known to be the beloved John. He wrote this book (Revelations) approximately 90 years A.D. and on this time, Christians were persecuted still under the Roman Empire. And so, the book of Revelations was written mostly known to be a prophetic book, but its main content or goal is to give hope amongst the persecuted Christians. Hope that truly Jesus Christ is coming again to take His people and to reign as the King of kings and the Lord of lords! For a truth, it has been 2000 years long and Christ has not come yet, nevertheless, His coming is sure for God is a Faithful God and does not lie. As His Word has promised, so shall it be fulfilled and therefore His coming is very near than it ever was.

                It is interesting that even with the current issues of the government or presidencies; this is a good reminder that there will never be a real perfect and greater government than that of the Lord Jesus Christ’s. People these days hope on a man or a person, but so easily man itself will look for holes or something that will pull the man down. And thing is, they surely will fall! Because man is not perfect! Only God is! Only the Lord Jesus Christ! Sad thing is we Christians tend to forget where we place our hope. I hope it’s not in this world but it is in Christ and for all eternity. Therefore, please do not bother yourself on the things of this world or even be consumed by worry or fear. Our life is in God’s hand! So whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s (Romans 14:8).

                Now, about the book of Revelation! It’s a book to give hope for Christians even in the midst of persecutions or strife or struggles. And I pray indeed that we are reminded of that blessed hope.

                Now, the verses 1-7 of chapter 2 reveals God’s message to the church in Ephesus. A little background of Ephesus is that the place is actually a center of trading and a place of dockyards where ships dock coming from different places. And, understanding this situation we could get to understand more by picturing our own place of trading, where ships comes in and foreign people come in. Understanding this, we could at least see the kind of people live in this place and what are their practices. And it is more probable that immorality can be visible in the area. The believers then most likely are the minority. Therefore standing for what you believe in Christ is a great struggle in the area.

               

V. 1        “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands."

                Angel of the church as we know is God’s messenger, which at this time we know as the pastor. “Him who holds the seven stars” talks about Jesus Christ.  

V. 2        “I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false."

Two things I wish to share from this verse,

               

                First, is the key word “know” from “I know your works, toil and patience / endurance…”. And if I may ask, “Does God know our works as a church? Do you think our church is doing well?“ Our churches should be, unless we choose to be ashamed of our church and that God is not interested of our church.

                Second, is the key word “tested” or “tried” (from other version). It indicates that the Ephesian church is able to know who’s who? Who are the true apostles of Christ and are not? How about us? Do we have the ability to discern who are the genuine and true teachers / preachers of God’s Word? Or we simply listen to any doctrines and false teachings? Teachers will not say “I’m now going to teach a false doctrine!” That’s absurd of course. Thing is false doctrines will look like a good and great doctrine. It will never manifest itself as false or wrong or evil. And how will we discern which is which? Be like the Berean Believers (from the book of Acts)! They compared and checked every word that came out of apostle Paul whether it is indeed written and in accordance to God’s Word. Be warned! It doesn’t mean it’s a verse from the Bible and we simply believe it. This requires also extent of studying and really comparing from other principles or doctrine of God’s Word because we should understand that no principle or doctrine in the Bible should contradict itself. If it contradicts principles / doctrines, then there is a problem on how we understand God’s principles.

                Considering these things, a Christian has to really grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). Learning and growing towards maturity is truly a life long journey! It stops only when you stop breathing. Therefore, never ever be satisfied in what you already know for if Paul himself declared these words “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Phil. 3:10), how much more ought to be for us?

By the way, growing mature in our spiritual life does not depend on the years we listen or read God’s Word. It is measured on how our life reflects what we learn and how we manifest Christ-likeness as what I’ve shared early on (Romans 8:29).

V.3-4     “I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first."

Two things I wish to share from these 2 verses.

 First, is the question to reflect, “Are we also enduring, patient even in the midst of being scorned, persecuted, or in the midst of a great trial? How are we bearing the name of Christ?” Do we call ourselves Christian only on times we are fine and happy? Whereas, take it off when we are in trouble?  The Ephesian believers did not but continued faithfully and steadfastly!

But second thing I wish to ponder on, is where we would really be shocked or greatly stop and think hardly of it! The Ephesian believers left their first love! Their love for God has grown cold! And yet, it is amazing that they could still do what God has told them. Possible? Yes! Of course, it’s possible! We could observe that amongst ourselves. Even pastors or workers, especially them, are the biggest target. Teaching or preaching God’s Word, but the heart is not right. And if we read furthermore from the verses, the result is disastrous or tragic.

It makes me wonder though; do we really personally understand what it means to love God? For me? The thought of loving God is somewhat indescribable or unfathomable. How can a creature love an Almighty God, One Who is above and exceeds the limit of what we can even know? It is for me incomprehensible, but I look to His word for a better understanding and one that we could relate to. When it comes to God’s love, the 2 greatest commands come in. Love God with all that you are and love thy neighbor as thyself! Further on we read I John 4:19-21 and these verses instruct us that we manifest God’s love on how we love others, specially the brethren in the Lord. And so we ask? How is our love for the brethren or for others or even our enemies? Remember Jesus’ words? Some or many would say “impossible!” Well, yes if we let ourselves have full control of our will and our character BUT if we let God or Christ live in us and through us, SURELY IT CAN BE DONE! Because our forefathers in the Faith have already been able to do so! Still, impossible? Apostle Paul is one example. Have you not even comprehended how great a sacrifice he had to go through? All in the name of the gospel of Christ! It was for people he never even knew! The gentiles as we are, filthy in the eyes of the Jews! And yet the gospel of Christ was spread all throughout the whole earth. What an amazing love!? And that love comes from the love of God!

                In reality, we can never love God unconditionally like how He loves us. That’s because He already first initiated (chose without any condition) to love us. And so, we have no other chance         to love God unconditionally. We love Him because He first loved us!  

So, how are we manifesting God’s love towards others? Are we helping, serving, giving and forgiving others? If not, we ought to check our hearts. But one has to also check, that doing these things does not guarantee that you really love God. It is a little bit confusing, but the point is, these things we do for others are the result of how we really love God. It is not a cause or the initial spark of our love for God. Instead, it’s a reflection. Or, like the ray of the sun, that ray represents our action or our love towards others whereas; the sun represents our love for God.

Well, I hope we get at least an idea of how do we really love God. And as the verses warns the Ephesian, hope we are warned too. As Christians or even servants of God, the enormous number of activities or programs we do is not the measure of how great our love for God is. And it’s not in numbers of attendees or members I believe God is interested on, but on how many are truly converted and how faithful and passionately growing and serving they are. It is my prayer that we Christians indeed continue to grow, continue to know and continue to love God and others. But further on, be watchful that our love for God does not grow cold. For when it does, all our doings or actions or activities or programs are worthless and vain. It will be for nothing. Because reading verse 5 says, if one does not repent, God will take away the light as a church. In other words, the church becomes useless and powerless in the midst of where it stands. It becomes like one of the dark. The church may be big and has huge number of members, but without the love for God, it’s just like an organization. Doing all the things they could do, but without power and no impact on those that surround them. Want to know how your church is doing? Go out and ask the neighborhood who is not a member of the church. Then you will know. It’s far from the picture of the first Christian church, where people’s heart was broken just simply hearing the gospel of Christ. Souls were moved by the Spirit and the Lord Himself added to the church daily.

(V. 7) Those who has ears to hear let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches…

The struggles of the Christian Servant

Then he said to them all:

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves 

and take up their cross daily and follow me." 

(Luke 9:23)

This I write simply to express my thoughts and observations in the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ not to generalize but may give a picture to some of our personal and daily struggles. By this, it is my prayer that other Christians be informed of such struggles and perhaps reflect on what may be our responsibility towards others, specially our fellow laborers in the Lord. For sometimes, we think we already know and we’ve heard of it but in effect we do not care. We do not care for the reason that it is in our nature, it is in our flesh / carnality.

Nevertheless, God works in mysterious ways and that He works in the hearts of people, whether the person is His’ or not His child. All throughout in God’s written Word, God showed how He works in all for our good. Remember Pharaoh, how God hardened his heart? Or, Joseph’s brother who meant evil toward Joseph but God meant it for good? Or even the kings in power, unknown if they are God’s people or not, like King Nebuchadnezzar, King Darius or King Cyrus yet God has worked in their lives. These are just proofs that God is at work in good or even in bad circumstances.

But the question perhaps arises on this time, after 2000 years after Christ has ascended to heaven and awaiting for His return, “Is God at work in the struggles of His servants?” Most likely Christians know already the answer to this question. And the direct answer is “yes”! But reality / circumstances of Christians often involves doubts for the reason that Christians are not “omnipotent” or “omniscient”. Furthermore, Christians daily suffer and face struggles in life even in the midst of our service to God. Human logic will often kick-in and ask the question “Why do I suffer and struggle when I am serving God?” These question often pops up I believe when we are at a need. I would have to go in a personal example for this because I or people close to me indeed face these circumstances.

My father is currently a local missionary and a church planter. Right now, I assist him in the ministry and get to learn how he handles the ministry at the same time see how God works through his life. For almost 5 or 6 years, I’m amazed that even in his old age, now 62 going 63 on June 2, 2016, God is still using him. But then, I also saw his “thorn in the flesh” or his “evil days” (Ecclesiastes 12:1) become a struggle. Seeing also that we are at a disadvantage in terms of finances, not that I neglect God’s provision, but knowing that what I earn and my father’s allowance is not enough to really provide for the needs in the ministry. It may provide our needs on a personal basis, but the ministry is also costly. We handle almost three (3) outreaches and sometimes there are people from different places who desire we also minister to them. Not sure why but perhaps because my father relates so much with our native / indigenous people. Understanding and knowing the culture and traditions, my father most likely can understand how our fellow natives think or behave. I on the other hand, do not have abundant knowledge of those since I grew up under his Christian home, whereas my father grew up in a pagan home. He was the first Christian and to experience the hardship of being the first Christian in a home. We and our other relatives have become the recipient of God’s blessings because of my father standing firm of his faith and much more extending to others, friends or strangers, through his evangelistic ministries.

Now? Even with my father’s experiences how God sustained him, even at times he failed and fall short, still we are hard-up in learning in trusting God. We continually are in the battle of faith. Battle of faith whether God really provides our financial needs or will God provide grace for us to go through it. For quite a long time, my father is suffering from a diminishing bone at his back (don’t know what it is called, I can only describe it) and just recently he is placed in a situation of hiking and take part of tiresome activities like working (not the main worker though, just supervising) to build chapel buildings and driving. With not enough financial allowance, we are hard up in providing for his medications. Because the doctor’s recommendation includes surgery and I think it’s even a very dangerous one since it involves the spinal column. Added to this, are our borrowed funds for the maintenance of our car which is used for the ministry. Transportation is mainly needed in our ministries as we go to different places and the vehicles we use suffer at some point. These are our current struggles and as I’ve previously said that what I earn and my father’s allowance isn’t enough, a reason why we had to solicit and ask from others for financial aid and assistance. It is indeed a blessing seeing how God provides through people who desire to help and partner with us, but sometimes makes me personally feel as though we are beggars or like Apostle Paul would term as a “burden”. That is why Apostle Paul himself had worked as a tentmaker to provide for his needs and need not for churches to help him financially. Here is why at times I ask, “How does God really provide our needs?” 

Another struggle I observe is not mine but for those believers who have unbelieving parents. This is the most common struggle for the first or only believer of Christ within a family, which I believe to be of greater struggle. A struggle I’m sure my father has an idea and has surely been familiar with. Sadly, there are those people whom I know who are still in this kind of struggle. Some still hanging, some I’m unsure. And, I understand, it’s never easy. I get to hear or listen to our brethren and their experiences of ridicule or mockery or oppositions from their love ones, specially their unbelieving parents. And it is sad that many can’t handle the pressure or can’t be victorious over these experiences of discouragements. And it is sadder that churches don’t even know how to deal or even help the brethren in such circumstances. As a result, they simply fade away and the church doesn’t even notice. Sometime I, myself, don’t notice. Though we have our personal struggles, it doesn’t give us excuse to forget our responsibilities as members of the church. This is where I ask myself, “What can I do?” Some would joke, “We indeed have many spiritual gifts and most have the gift of discouragement.” Well, it’s not really a good joke but it pictures the reality of churches these days. Those who have the gift of encouragement are rarely found or even known to be extinct. As a result, we lose fellow laborers of the Lord in the harvest field.

Well, these are just two of the common struggles I know of. It is somewhat faith-disturbing but as I’ve learned, these are also times of opportunity in strengthening our faith. Though poses also a possible faith-deterioration which depends solely in the character of who we really are, a real and genuine follower of Christ or as God’s Word describes it as bastard / not really God’s child.

In the end, as a Christian, we always have to remind ourselves of God’s love displayed on the cross - the love that resulted in laying one’s life, Jesus’ life, for me and you. Though in reality, we so easily forget and forget to magnify that great love that has caused and resulted in our redemption. We forget the suffering, anguish and pain Christ had to suffer. We forget that we were God’s enemies yet even when we were His enemies, Christ died for us. Oh how, I pray we will never ever forget, that Love of God that caused the blood of the Lamb of God to be spilt. But then as the song says:

Lest I forget Gethsemane; Lest I forget Thine agony;

Lest I forget Thy love for me, Lead me to Calvary.

The Good News People Throwaway

Well, the title may more likely be an overstatement. But in the general sense it does show reality. Now, what “Good News” am I talking about? Well, it’s none other but the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Before I do share my thoughts why people throw away the gospel, let me share what the gospel is all about. Just to make it clear.

We can find the Bible’s declaration of the gospel at I Cor. 15:1-5, through the apostle Paul:

“Now I would remind you, brothers,[a] of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.”

On these verses, apostle Paul summarized the gospel of Christ. But what apostle Paul gave here, is more than just a summary. He truly reminded the Christians of something: A truth that has made a great impact on those who have heard and received it. And when I say “received it,” it means they understood it. Now, what did they really understood?

Understanding the good news, one must first understand there is a bad news for which the reason of the “good news”. The bad news is simple: “Man is lost or is a sinner because of what Adam (the first man) has done, which is disobedience” (See / read the book of Genesis or Romans 5:12, 19). Furthermore on this bad news, man is doomed to eternal separation from God, because sin can never be part of Who God is.

God is Holy, Just and Righteous! He is the standard and measurement of what “Right” is! Think about it, how can we know what is right from wrong? From where do we base our thinking of what is right? From our parents or government? From where did they got this idea? It’s a never ending search, if we take God out of the picture. Some would say, it is based from the highest form of happiness. Now, where do we get that idea from? And how can we know it is the highest form of happiness, when people have different sense of their own happiness. If you would think of it, the psycho can think “killing is what makes him happy.” How do we argue with that? We get the majorities’ definition of happiness? Then steal away the minorities’ right to think of what their idea of happiness is? Isn’t that not fair at all? All these questions pops out when we take God out of the picture and not make Him the standard and measure of what right and wrong is. And this is the reason why man, who is a sinner, has to be set apart from God forever. From whence, the lake of fire was made, prepared by God for those who would not repent and receive His offer of Salvation (See Rev. 20:11-15).

BUT! Here is the GOOD NEWS! God provided a way for man not to be separated from God forever.  And, I do believe many have heard of the Lord Jesus Christ, Who came to earth, born of a virgin [which means He was born without being corrupted by sin that came from Adam, another reason why the Bible call Jesus the Second Adam, or Last Adam], lived a life “Righteously” [No sin at all, even with His own mouth - 1 Peter 2:22; 2 Corinthians 5:21]; But, was judged and condemned like a sinner (Isaiah 53:12; Luke 22:37; 2 Cor. 5:21); And, therefore, taking upon Him the punishment that wasn’t for Him or even meant for Him at all. He was able to do miracles and wondrous things no man can do but God. Yet, at that moment of His suffering and last breath, He took it all upon Himself simply to pay the price of sin, which is death (Romans 6:23; Romans 5: 19). That was the transaction made, so man can be redeemed [bought back] from Satan to Him [God].

BUT! This doesn’t mean ALL man is automatically saved or brought back to God. Nay, that’s just the transaction made. But the decision, the will of man ought to still choose! Because God is offering this gift of Salvation and each individual has the choice to receive it through Faith in Christ [believing and trusting in what He has done and Who He is]. John 3:16 and John 1:12 and many more verses speaks of this!

And that is not the end of the Good News! It’s not only about being saved from the eternal punishment of sin. Attached to this offer or gift of God is all the promises He gave in His Word, the Bible. Such as being called a child of God, eternal home, mansion, heaven, co-heirs of Christ, and more! Too good to be true? Well, that is God’s offer in His Word! That’s the reason why Jesus Christ came two thousand years ago! Try looking at your calendar and see the year… That year was numbered, at the time Christ resurrected and ascended to heaven. And that year is being numbered because we are counting the years of His return, as He has promised. I know! Years have passed. But that doesn’t mean He will fail in fulfilling His promise. God’s promise to Adam for the Messiah was fulfilled for almost 4,000 years. What is 2,000 plus years with that?

It is indeed simple what God is offering. Because He Himself has made the way for man to be brought back to Himself and yet, man wants to complicate it and wants to do it on his own. And mostly, man has no interest in it and would just want to believe he can manage on his own. Whereas, others would look for something else other than Christ, something that would satisfy their own self desires or like what happened to Eve, it was pleasing to her eyes. The Bible also says, in the book of Timothy, some will depart and look for something that would please their ears or their stomach.  Having faith in Christ becomes nothing more than a myth. The Bible too becomes a myth to them. People will still choose those things that they can see, hear, or feel and claim to be that it is the truth! Many will not believe. Why? That is because man is corrupted from the beginning man fell to sin through Adam. Even Jesus Himself prophesied in Matthew 7, few will believe in Him. In addition, Satan continues to deceive people with many things, even raise false prophets and false teachers claiming to be Christ. This explains how the "good news is being thrown away".

How about you, how do you respond to the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ?

(Edited April 9, 2020)