YEARS AGO in Manchuria, there lived a Chinese farmer named Tung who was a Christian. One day a band of robbers came to his home. They tied up Tung, burned his home, and carried off his belongings. After they were gone, Tung rebuilt his home and went on with his work.
In the city, two years later, Tung met and recognized one of the robbers. He thought Tung would have him arrested and thrown into prison; so he begged Tung for mercy.
Said Tung, “I do not hate you. Tell me about yourself.” The man told Tung all about his troubles. He owed money, he was hungry, his feet were frostbitten. Tung gave him some money and told him to pay off his debts and buy something to eat. “Tomorrow,” said Tung, “I will call for you and take you to the hospital.”
Sure enough, the next day Tung called for the man and took him to the Mission Hospital in his own cart. “Perhaps, he will learn of Jesus as I did,” thought Tung, “then he will come out a different man.”
The robber did learn of Jesus, the Saviour, who forgives guilty sinners and brings them out of darkness io His marvelous light. Tung and his friends prayed for the man. The robber repented of his sins, and was wonderfully saved by the grace of God. He came out of the hospital a different man!
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath recoiled us to Himself by Jesus Christ... we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” 2 Cor. 5:17,18,2017Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (2 Corinthians 5:17‑18)
20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20).
ML-12/11/1966