A testimony from Tim, a Canadian Christian, after attending a Bible conference with the South American people he once lived among for years as he translated Scripture into their tribal language.
We set up our hammocks under a common roof structure, and I slept amid the snoring and roosters crowing through the night. The next day, I spent most of the day in my hammock, trying to stay cool in the 100-degree dusty wind that blew through the open-walled structure. I think I slept another six hours that day.
I spent time praying, “What do you want me to speak on? What do you want me to do while here?” The answer to those prayers became clear—clearer than if I’d had an audible conversation with the Lord because I could see and feel the answers personally.
“Study, value, and teach on the power of the Gospel not merely for the unbeliever but also for the believer. Love these people. There is no efficacy in teaching when there is no love through a personal relationship.”
In summary, truth and love.
TRUTH
The Need for Grace and Truth
Believers may think the Gospel is only for unbelievers, thinking now that we are saved, we somehow give back to God through our good Christian behavior. Actually, it’s good to stop and realize that this is not the apostle Paul’s teaching. Rather, he teaches that just as when we were dead in our trespasses and sins, we needed the Gospel to be justified; even so, we need the Gospel to walk day by day in newness of life as God’s children.
With this thought burning in my heart, I opened my Bible and began reading in Romans. As I read chapters 1–8, the living thought of the Holy Spirit filled my mind and heart with the fundamental truths of the Gospel of grace—not only for my past but also for my future.
The Heart of the Gospel
The Gospel is God’s unmerited favor, an inexhaustible, infinite, and eternal blessing, freely lavished upon us through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. This one-time act of the Son of God is something He did for us, but also something (through the timeless working of the Father) He did together with us and to us.
What joy fills the heart that believes that every day is new! Every moment a clean slate is set before us.
We live, indeed, but only in Him. He is the life that we have to live. He is the light that we have to shine. There is no other. As believers, the only way to experience this is through faith in the Gospel. The Gospel is the power of God. Paul said this in Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.” Just as we were saved once for all from the judgment and condemnation of our sin, so now we are saved daily from the power of our sin. The righteousness of God is revealed through the Gospel every time we take a step of faith in it.
Ministry Conference in South America
The tribal Christians sat studious and attentive. Many recorded each session with their cell phones. I felt the living power of the Holy Spirit working through me as I taught through these powerful truths in Romans. My own heart was receiving the message too.
Even though I should have been tired, I felt the love and truth of God energizing me. It didn’t matter the wind, the dust, the heat, the lack of sleep—divine energy carried me not only with spiritual understanding and motive but also with physical strength and language ability.
I thought often of the prayers of people at home. We were working together as a team. I glanced up occasionally to check the attentiveness of the people. They blessed me as I saw them taking notes, marking their Bibles, or sitting up attentive to hear every word.
LOVE
Learning to Love
As a young person, I thought the main point of missions was to share the information of the Gospel. However, over time, I have realized it’s not just information that we are to share.
As Paul said, even if we have all understanding and knowledge, and yet don’t have love, we are nothing. It was not only truth that came by Jesus Christ; it was also grace. We are all in God’s classroom, learning from the Teacher. He teaches me through these people, and he is teaching me to love.
Living in Love
I connected more on a personal and friendship level with the tribal people on this trip than I ever have before. I thank God for working his love in me to be friends. Laughing, visiting, hugging, touching, caring, listening, and giving are physical manifestations of the invisible love of God.
God is breaking habits in me that are rooted in selfishness, and I see that the fruit of love and friendship is powerful. This verse comes to mind: “Whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” How good it is to grow and to see the goodness of God as we do.
Experiencing God’s Love
Afterward, I asked one man how the conference was. He reached his hand out, placed it on my shoulder, and said, “It was like God was saying to us, ‘Wake up.'” The man gently shook my shoulder.
Later in the day, as I was about to get in the truck, there were only a few tribal people left. I took a selfie with them. They hugged and said teary-eyed goodbyes.
As we drove away across the savannah, my eyes teared up as I felt the presence of God’s love. How rich it is to know God and to experience Him. There is no greater feeling than to experience God.
Mutual Encouragement
Again, I could feel the prayers of people at home. It was emotional to be leaving the people behind, but it also felt right. I felt a feeling of unworthiness and gratitude. They humble me with their honor and hunger. I felt the great privilege it is to have been chosen by Jesus to represent Him to this hungry and growing nation and to share with them His word through the gift of teaching, even though I myself am unworthy to do this ministry.
They equally represent Jesus to me. We encourage each other by our mutual faith. I teach them, but they also teach me. At the beginning of this trip, I was not looking forward to going. Having gone and as I traveled home, and even now, I can’t wait to get back to see them again.
“For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established– that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.” (Romans 1:11–12)
