When Jesus was hanging on a tree, he didn't hate those who hurt him. Instead, he prayed for them, “Father! Forgive them, for they know not what they do.” This love of self-denial is the core of Christian faith.
Here are two stories bearing witness to Christ’s love.
An old male believer, surnamed Guo, believed in God during the turbulent times (the Great Cultural Revolution). Guo was once arrested and criticized, and suffered a lot because of his faith. But he didn’t hold back, or hold a grudge against those who hurt him.
After the reform and opening-up, Guo became an elder of the church, and he proclaimed the good news of salvation to those who criticized him.
Guo is a man who never takes advantage of others. When working in the mines, he never took a single thread from the mine. Many of the men who worked in the mines at that time did not have to pay for coal or firewood to keep warm. They just brought some home from the mines. But Guo never took anything in the mines, not even a piece of firewood. But a person like him, was once misunderstood by his neighbors because of building a house.
They were always causing trouble for Guo. One time, they stood in front of Guo’s house, scolding him. They cursed until their mouths were dry, without stopping.
However, Guo did not let his family contradict them. Instead, he took out a small bench from home, giving it to the neighbors who scolded him. He told them to calm down and sit to have a rest.
Even so, the neighbors did not change. Entering Guo’s house, they continued to scold. This time, Guo not only offered seats, but also poured tea for them. He handed a cup of water to one neighbor and said, "Calm down, drink some water and have a rest.” After venting their anger, the family thought what they had done was enough, and then left Guo's house.
Later, the family encountered some trouble. Guo took the initiative to help them with love, so that the family finally knew the love of God, accepted the Christian faith, and had never cursed from then on.
Now let’s talk about something more recent.
As the saying goes, a gentleman loves money but takes it in the right way. However, many modern people often do things at the expense of others in order to gain profits in a crooked way.
A male Christian surnamed Song was in the lumbering business, and because of his faith, he was honest and trustworthy, which earned him the praise of many customers. What he did not expect was that many of his phone numbers on his posters had been altered into others.
Through some research, Song learned that the person who had altered his phone number was one of his peers. That person turned Song’s phone number into his own phone number, that is to say, Song’s advertisement on the poster was for him. Becoming very angry, he said some harsh words on the phone.
Putting down his phone, he began to regret what he had done for the sake of his faith. He blamed himself for his lack of tolerance and love. So he began to dial the other party's call and took the initiative to admit that his attitude was not good, and said some polite words to him, which made their relationship closer.
To his surprise, his business was very well last year! Even the man who altered his phone number also said that a gentleman loves money but takes it in the right way. There are God and spirits three feet above the ground. We really shall not do things at the expense of others!
- Translated by Stephen Huang
