Another in the Kingdom

Linus and Liz have "adopted" some wonderful young adults. They are extended family, so adopting is not the legal term. It is more like providing a better opportunity for education for nieces, nephews, cousins, etc. One of their new charges is Purity. She is in a family photo that I have taken a week ago. In this photo she is reading a devotional moments after she has chosen Christ to be her Lord and Savior. (That comment is for my friend Ben.)

After dinner tonight, they were discussing spiritual things when the topic of heaven and hell came up. In the course of conversation, it was apparent that Purity was not comfortable. So I asked her about her salvation, expecting to get the typical answers. Instead, she had no response at all. So, I pressed her, not knowing that the family had this conversation in full the week before. As I pressed, the silence grew deeper. After first I did not know what to say, and I was ready to quit pressing when the resistance grew. However, I felt that still voice inside saying "Do not stop now. You must ask her to respond." So, I asked her what the problem was. Then I asked her why she would not respond. As the tension grew I was ready to let go, when the Spirit told me to ask about her pride. She looked at me then.

Purity is from a works-based salvation church. The African Bible Churches have a Presbyterian background (Anglican for you Brits out there). So, here understanding of repentance and faith-based salvation was limited. So, she struggled letting go and trying something new--faith.

She looked at me. and then I asked her if she wanted to become a Christian right now. She said yes. Oh, the joy. We prayed for God's forgiveness, thanked him for salvation, and rejoiced with her family. She had found a physical family to know. Now she is in their spiritual family as well.

God is good.

Now, how many of these conversations have I let go because I did not want to press the issue of confront? Well, too many. This was a precious moment for me and for the Kirimi family. It is also a reminder for me that this is the real reason for SHBC and our discipleship. Press through the struggles, praise God for the mountain tops, and speak his Gospel as he leads.