3 MAJOR WAYS OF SPREADING THE MESSAGE OF LOVE OF GOD
Ernest Gordon in his biography said, "It was in 1943. I was a prisoner of war (POW) and together with others we build a railway in the jungle along the river Kwai to get to Burma. As we made our way along the tracks we had become accustomed to seeing the natives treat us with indifference or contempt. One day, however, we arrived in a village where the people approached us so differently that we were supprised. One could see compassion in the eyes of those who lined the route to watch us march past. We had not even passed through to the other side when they returned loaded with cakes �, bananas, eggs, medicine and money which they placed in our hands.
"Later we learnt that the entire village had become Christians. The light of Christianity had shone in that corner of the jungle - thanks to a woman missionary who had managed to continue her work at the start of the war before fleeing.
"These brief contacts with the world outside were a happy reminder that a more humane way of life still existed. Without a word being spoken, the message of Christianity had been communicated to us."
Ernest Gordon became a Christian through the Christian villagers who referred him to the Bible through their attitudes.
With reference to this case, we need to study the three ways of spreading message of love of God. First it is instructive to note that the central theme of Christianity is love, going by what the Bible says in John 3:16 which says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.". The followings are the ways of spreading this message:
1. Through Teaching The Word Of God: It is important to note the missionary efforts of the woman before the start of the war in the story. She fulfilled the instructions of Jesus Christ who said in Mark 16:15-16 that Christians should go into all and preach the gospel to everyone." If the missionary had not gone to spread the Gospel in the village, Ernest Gordon may not find Jesus through the attitudes of the villagers.
2. Through Attitude Of Love: Again, if the villagers did not show love to the prisoners war by giving them food items and other things, they would not have known the difference Christianity and secularism or religions. Thus Jesus gave Christians a new commandment in John 13:34-35, saying that they should love one another. Through this, all will know that they are His disciples.
3. Through Obedience To The Word Of God: The villagers were able to preach the gospel without even saying a word to the prisoners through their attitudes and obedience to Jesus Christ Who said in John 8:31, "... If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed."
I pray that we shall receive the grace to follow Jesus and spread the message of love of God in Jesus' name.