Editor’s note: This pastoral letter, from February of this year, encourages and commends believers for the way they have borne up under the outward persecution of recent year. In this first half of the letter, Elder Li Yingqiang praises his congregation for their fortitude under pressure, for the love they have shown others in their church when they undergo persecution, and for the love they have even shown toward the people who are persecuting them. Li says his church has grown much through the “external cross” of persecution, and praises God for his patient teaching of their congregation. As he closes the first half of the letter, he turns his attention from outward pressure to internal difficulties.
As If Nothing Was Amiss
To all the brethren who have taken up their cross to follow the Lord Jesus:
Peace be upon you!
We are deeply thankful that, after several months of tribulation, God has blessed us with allowing our entire congregation to gather for Sunday worship. Together, we partook of the body and blood of the Lord, and we welcomed newly baptized and brothers and sisters as well as those who have transferred into our church. Despite the presence of police and plainclothes personnel who were coming and going, and despite their ongoing filming, you all remained focused on worship. We peacefully sang hymns, prayed, listened to the Word, joyfully gave offerings, received communion, and witnessed baptisms. All this occurred as if nothing was amiss.
All this was so wonderful, and we are so grateful! In the past year, the Lord has guided us through numerous battles. Significant sacrifices were made for us to meet for Sunday worship in person, and all of us were allowed to grow in God’s grace. Later, when one of our pastors was taken into custody and then detained for 14 days, many of you were neither fearful nor disheartened. Instead, you rejoiced and gave thanks.
The Lord has guided us through numerous battles. Significant sacrifices were made for us to meet for Sunday worship in person, and all of us were allowed to grow in God’s grace.
The Rule of the Cross
We praise the Lord for his grace! Let us continue to tread the path of the cross in this conflict between church and state. After many years of repeated learning on this path, we have not made it on our own – but we have certainly begun to understand the “rule of the cross.”
What is this “rule of the cross”? It is a kind of inversion, a reversal of values. We view all things through the lens of Christ’s cross, and measure all values according to his cross.
What is this “rule of the cross”? It is a kind of inversion, a reversal of values. We view all things through the lens of Christ’s cross, and measure all values according to his cross. The rule of the cross is to say, “Whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Phil. 3:7-8) The rule of the cross is to say, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds” for the sake of Christ. (James 1:2)
The External Cross
In these past years of persecution, dear brethren, I have seen your fears dissipate. You are not afraid of summons, of detention, of being forced to relocate from your home, or of beatings. In fact, you even rejoice when adversity strikes. You consider that pastors and believers who have been imprisoned for the Lord are highly honored. When someone in our congregation is taken away, you wait at the door of the police station. When someone is detained, you comfort and care for the family members of the detained.
You have gradually erased from your hearts disgust and hatred toward those who persecute us. Instead, you have begun to see our persecutors as recipients of gospel mercy. Your gentle and humble testimony has won the sympathy and respect of many local police and government officials.
You have gradually erased from your hearts disgust and hatred toward those who persecute us. Instead, you have begun to see our persecutors as recipients of gospel mercy.
In this lesson of the “external cross,” our church life community has actually grown considerably. Of course, there is nothing for us to boast about in this. This is the result of God’s grace repeatedly pouring out on us, and the “devil’s drill sergeant” repeatedly training us. May all glory be to the Lord, who has mercy on us and gives us grace!
Dear brethren: today, I want to remind you that, although the outward battle is still intense, and although we need to be especially vigilant every time persecution comes, we must still continue to go deeper in our learning of this lesson of the external cross.
But on the other hand, many brothers and sisters in our midst appear very unfamiliar with the lesson of the internal cross. Many among us seem immature and helpless in that inward battle, and often fail and lack sufficient reflection on the importance of the internal cross.
Elder Li Yingqiang is an elder of Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu. He and his wife have two children.
Praise God for his faithfulness toward Christians in persecution. Pray Chinese believers will bear a beautiful testimony as they experience pressure for their faith.
