As soon as I confirmed that God was sending me to Thailand, I started trying to read as much as I could about the Buddhist faith. (It is unfortunately my nature to believe that gathering as much information as possible is the way to solve any problem.) I started trying to envision what conversations I might have with a Buddhist about Jesus and the Christian faith. I wondered how I might engage them where they are and what aspects of Christianity might resonate best with some of their beliefs. As I did this, God laid three truths on my heart that I wanted to share with you as we continue to pray about his upcoming trip:
All “works-based” faiths are depressingly tragic.
Buddhists (as I understand it in simple terms) believe that a person is constantly reborn after death into another sentient form of life and that the form and quality of the rebirth depends on the karma of the past lives. Karma refers not only to good and bad deeds but even good and bad thoughts that one has. The hope of a Buddhist is “nirvana,” which ends this cycle of rebirth and this is possible only after building up enough karma to obtain higher forms of existence through several “lives.”
Christianity is unique as the only religion where man does not have to work his way into heaven or God’s favor. Instead, we “have been saved by grace through faith. And this is not [our] own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) How heartbreaking it is to see people struggle under a hopeless system of trying to achieve their own salvation, especially when it might take numerous lifetimes to do so! How marvelous the freedom that we find in Christ, who has already obtained that salvation on our behalf!
God stirs up a desire for Himself and then saves those who seek Him.
As I mentioned earlier, I started to wonder how in the world I might “convince” a random Buddhist that Christianity was the true way to God. That seemed a daunting task. But then I was reminded that God is the one who draws people to himself. (John 12:32; Zech. 4:6) I believe that there are Thais that right now are seeking…asking questions…looking for something – because God is stirring these questions up in their hearts. And Jesus is the answer they are looking for. I am praying that He will put some of these specific people in my path on this trip that will then end up being Thais at the forefront of reaching their people for Christ.
The mission will ultimately be successful.
The best part of being a part of this mission is that success is guaranteed. Now – it’s certainly possible that my particular trip or part in this endeavor may not end up with much to show for it. But God has promised in His Word that around His throne in heaven there will be “a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” praising Him. (Revelation 7:9) I know there will be Thai people in heaven. I wonder if someone I see in heaven will be someone I have an opportunity to speak to on this trip? I pray that this is the case.
Thank you for your continued prayers for us as we prepare for the trip. If you are moved to give financial support to this trip, you may send a check made out to Pleasant Garden Baptist Church, P.O. Box 157, Pleasant Garden, NC 27313 with “Thailand Mission” on the memo line. For tax reasons, do not put my name on the check, but you can include a note with my name on it if you would like. Thank you!
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