Gospel News — Mar-May 2012

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promised us that "He will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear" (1 Cor 10:13), and God will bring something amazing out of what seems bad in our lives.

Let us continue to share Christ with all those we can teach. We know that most people are not interested in the gospel, because they have been overtaken by earthly desires. There are, however, some who are willingly to listen to us. God wants to put us in a position where we can save lives by turning others to Christ. Let us be bound to Christ for our spiritual and natural families and help each other to come to the light of the gospel.

It is one of the strange ways of God. `The boy the brothers sold' becomes a saviour for many peoples in Egypt. I also compare Joseph to Jesus Christ because the Bible tells us, the stone the builders rejected (by the Jews and) later became the capstone (Mk12:10). Jesus told them, "A prophet is not respected in his home town". No matter the outcome, both Joseph and Jesus remained strong, looking up to God even to the end. May we remain true to our calling in Jesus Christ.

Blessed Assurance

Bro Isaac Kapa (Tongaren, Kenya)

One day I was talking with my friend whose wife had died. He shared with me that a friend said to him, "I'm sorry you lost your wife". His reply? "Oh, I haven't lost her; I know exactly where she is!" To some this may seem like a rather bold or even flippant assertion. With so many `after death' theories, one might wonder how we can be really sure where our loved ones go after death, let alone where we ourselves end up. Yet confidence is appropriate for followers of Jesus Christ. We have the assurance from God's word that when we die we are buried in the grave until the day of resurrection and be judged about what

we did in our life on earth. Thankfully, this is more than just wishful thinking. It is grounded in the historic reality of Jesus who came and died to blot out sins, so that we could receive eternal life after judgement (Rom 6:23). We know that there is life after death, for Jesus exited the grave and ascended to heaven where he is preparing the kingdom he will establish on earth for the righteous to live in.

So let us rejoice, because, for the followers of Jesus, death means a deep sleep. When Jesus comes his followers will be awakened and meet him at the judgement seat, and we shall meet with our beloved ones in the kingdom of God on earth.

Forgiveness

Bro Joseph Kwesi (Ghana)

The attitude of a true child of God is the ability to forgive, no matter the extent to which they have been hurt. A true son of God learns not to keep records of wrongs, knowing very well that such an attitude is unscriptural. "Peter asked Jesus, `Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Till seven times?' Jesus said unto him, `I say not unto thee seven times: but until seventy times seven'" (Matt 18: 21-22).

It is a fact of life that when we are deeply hurt, it is not easy to let go. Vengeance becomes the ringing tone in our minds. Maybe, logically, there would not be anything wrong in paying the person back, but for the sake of God, forgiveness must rule our actions: "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, `Vengeance is mine: I will repay', saith the Lord. `Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him, if he thirst, give him drink, for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.