Revenge is a ready weapon
I noticed my translator was struggling with his emotions as I spoke about the weapons of our flesh: anger, hate, bitterness… my heart was feeling compassion for him as we continued the session. I knew it would be important to ask what was happening in his heart while he was translating for me.
This conference was for tribal people in the mountain area of Manipur. There has been long-standing tribal feuds over the generations with many people being killed through tribal conflicts. The Naga and Kuki tribes have been fighting for many years with thousands dead because of it. TL Haokip, the President of the Bible College in India that I speak at almost yearly, saw his own brother buried alive by the Naga tribe. Horrible atrocities have taken place. The bitterness goes deep. Revenge is a ready weapon.Over 700 people were attending this conference that lasted 5 days. As I taught about Love in the form of Belief, again my translator was struggling with his emotions. Finally, he broke down and could not speak anymore. I walked over to him and put my arm around him while he cried. I spoke gently to him that its alright to cry and we could wait. Eventually he composed himself and we finished the session with many young men coming and asking for discipleship!
Later, my translator said with tears running down his face, " I have never seen someone love their enemy so well. You loved those who hated you. You loved those who were evil and filled with sin. You have seen people in darkness repent and come to Christ through your love. I know the Gospel and take much pride in my knowledge but I am deeply convicted that I do not love." His tears increased and I could see something deeply painful in his eyes. He went on with his story. "While I was translating for you, my own past life came to haunt me. I was a killer.” I did not understand what he meant so I asked him. “What do you mean by saying you are a killer?” He responded, “I joined a militia and would go to the homes of our enemies. I would shoot those who tried to run and kill them. Those who could not run we burned alive in their houses."
What do you say to such darkness?
I put my arms around him and my own heart began to weep with him. His sin was crushing him with shame, with regret, with the label "murderer". "Weep with those who weep". This is a command in scripture. We can only honestly do this if we love the individual. Love will break our hearts and guide us through such moments by God’s mercy and hope. I prayed for him:
"Jesus forgives you completely. The Cross is more powerful than your sin and the blood of Jesus declares you are washed white as snow. You are God’s redeemed son, His forgiven son. You are called by God to bring great love to others because you have been forgiven much!"
he responded by saying, " I want to give my life completely to Jesus! I want to share the message of LoveDefined among the tribes! Your life makes me zealous to love the sinner!"
It is our prayer that those who hear the message of LoveDefined would repent of religion and become Followers of Christ through the evidence of their love. "We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers and sisters. The one who does not love remains in death. " 1John 3:14
Please pray for God’s power to continue liberating this man from his sin and empowering him to love others greatly - just as he has been loved.
If you would like to help us continue to reach the nations with the message of LoveDefined - we would be so grateful for your partnership. Please go to: www.lovedefinedministry.org and click on the support link to make your donation. We are so very grateful for your love!!
