May 18, 2005

[Rev. Doc]

The Implications Of Our Actions

"But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He cause his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?"
Matthew 5:44-46

Our actions can and will speak to the lives of those around us.

On October 3, 1950, the Communist North Koreans arrived on the small Korean island of Chunnam. Using bamboo clubs and spears, they savagely beat 2000 people to death.

Kim Joon-gon watched his father and his wife die. Kim himself was left for dead. But he survived, crawling off into the hills to hide. "I hated the Communist militia," says Kim. "But as I prayed in hiding for myself and for the liberation of Korea, the Lord visited me and gave me love, and a desire to forgive the enemies who had tortured and killed my family. He liberated me."

In time, the Communists who had killed his wife and father were arrested. Because it was wartime, the police chief had authority to execute without trial. But as the chief prepared to kill the men, Kim pleaded, 'Spare them. They were forced to kill.' The police chief showed great surprise. 'It was your family they killed! Why do you now ask for their lives?' Kim replied quietly, 'Because the Lord, whose I am and whom I serve, would have me show mercy to them.' The Communists were spared execution because of Kim's plea.

News of his action spread among other Communist supporters in the area. When Kim later ascended a mountain to preach to Communists hiding out, he was not killed. Many of the Communists became Christians, and when Kim finally left the island there was a flourishing church of 108 members.

Prayer: Ask the Lord to help you in the most difficult of situations to forgive and express love in such a way that Christ's example will be seen in you.

"O Lord, remember not only the men and woman of good will, but also those of ill will. But do not remember all of the suffering they have inflicted upon us: Instead remember the fruits we have borne because of this suffering, our fellowship, our loyalty to one another, our humility, our courage, our generosity, the greatness of heart that has grown from this trouble. When our persecutors come to be judged by you, let all of these fruits that we have borne be their forgiveness."
~Found in the clothing of a dead child at Ravensbruck concentration camp.

[true_noir_chloe]

The prayer was especially moving. Thank you, Rev. Doc. ^___^