2017.10.22_Let Us Not Be Ungrateful

They themselves say that Semuon is not their shepherd. But when has Semuon ever said that they are not his sheep? I am thankful though, that they have not gone far from Sungrak Church and are happy to have still received recognition as Sungrak people. But what a shame, for what they have done is cut off their own nose to spite their face, and set their own house on fire.

Even though they hate me, they cannot deny that Semuon is their shepherd. If they are Sungrak people, then they are definitely Semuon’s sheep, and they are the sheep that God has sent to Semuon. Just as the Lord said, “My sheep listen to my voice”, if they are Semuon’s sheep by being members of Sungrak Church, then they must listen to Semuon’s words.

There are sheep that listen to the shepherd’s voice, and there are sheep who have lost their way and cannot listen to the shepherd’s voice. Even today I am calling out to them with all my might. I say this again: even though Semuon has suffered greatly, he has not denied that they are his sheep. They are my sheep. But they have fallen into great temptation, and I see that they are committing much depravity.

Has the worry they have caused in the church today come from their knowledge or from their stubbornness? Where is the place where they had repented of their sins and been baptized? And by whom have they been trained? They received the word of God as their food and rejoiced each day as they grew from unfaith to faith, and from faith to hope. Who is the one that has taken away their joy? Just who is the one who has posed as a spiritual leader and deceived them? And finally, from whom have they received ordination as ordained deacons and the title of elders?

The secular proverb, “It is old cow’s notion that she never was a calf” seems to be right. They have smeared themselves with dung and are surely ashamed to appear before Semuon. But Semuon will overcome all this. Do not stray any longer and return alive. Even though it is probably hard and shameful to return before God after having done disgrace to the house of God, God is still waiting and so is Semuon. You must return! Stop your useless rallying and return to a proper life of faith.

It was pitiful to see the ones who were lazy in their devotion to come to the front lines of demolishing the church and committing violence. We have learned from the Bible the outcome of the ones who fall into temptation. In this most important time of our lives, what have you let your own faith, soul, family and children witness?

The witnesses of Jesus saw and heard him face to face. We believe their words and our souls live. We are not those who labor zealously because of mere rumors and what we did not see. Therefore, let us not trust in irresponsible rumors. Semuon waits.