[The Negros Chapter]: He Can, and He Will

This is the second part of a series of posts about my evangelistic-campaign trip to Negros, Philippines (link to first post here). The campaign is actually 6 weeks long, but I only went there for one week. Was really a blessing to be able to serve together with the Campus Ministry this year, as well as many others from different churches around the world. We would travel to different high schools (secondary schools in Malaysian terms) in Philippines and share the gospel with them; either class-to-class or through a mass evangelism in a school assembly. I joined the campaign in Week 3, and we went to Negros (both Occidental and Oriental).

I remember a Year 4 class that I had finished (ages 15 - 16). It was a rowdy class, the students were distracted, but some of them made an effort to listen. I had varied responses. Some students professed to believe in Jesus "today". Others were sure they believed, but not sure if they were going to heaven. But the ones that really broke my heart was those saying that they did not think Jesus would want to save them, 'because my sins were too many'. 

During our practices before e-campaign, before we call for decisions, we would ask three questions to see if the students understood the gospel presentation. The first: Do you believe Jesus can save you? The second: Do you believe Jesus wants to save you? The last: Do you want Jesus to save you?

Everybody will answer "Yes!" to all three questions without a moment's hesitation, but then again, they may not really understand. In Singapore and Malaysia, perhaps the hardest is to get people to answer "Yes" to the last question. In the Philippines, they heartily answer yes to the last, but are not sure of the first two.

The next class I entered in another school was a Year 2 or Year 3 I think. I finished the first half of my gospel of what Jesus did for us on the cross. Then I looked at the students and asked them: "Guys, are you afraid? Are you afraid that God doesn't want to save you because you have sinned too many times? Or are you afraid that God is not able to save you because you have sinned too many times?" Fervent nods and echoing 'yes-es' were returned to me. Some were listening attentively for the first time.

I could identify with this. I could identify with this because that was me when I was 7 or 8. At the stage where I was voluntarily or involuntarily a 'naughty girl'. Who was always lazy and selfish, and somehow managed to create trouble here and there, somehow or other. During the nights before I sleep - I would pray to God telling Him that I believe in Jesus - and could He save me? But deep down in my heart I wondered if He wanted to. I wondered if He would save someone like me - someone whom I myself didn't really like. 

But back then I didn't know - it wasn't about who I am. It is about who He is.

To the students, I quoted the all-famous John 3: 16, "For God so loved the world, that He sent His only Son", and  Romans 8: 38 - 39: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." I also quoted that Jesus died and rose again on the third day, thus conquering sin, death, and hell - making Him not only willing to save, but able to save.

Many believers place 100% of their trust on Christ, but are not assured of their own salvation. I believe God wants us to have that assurance of salvation. For it is said in Romans 8: 30: "And those He predestined, He also called, those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified." God saves and sanctifies and glorifies to the end. 

I remember Chris (a guy from my church in my team) likes to tell people that 'Gail's sharing makes people cry in every class she goes in, including the teachers'. He then said that he only 'managed to do that' in a few of his classes, but at least he was glad that there were people who shed tears.

I was so happy to see those tears too. But after the second day, when Chris said the same thing again, I replied him with a pang in my heart: "We can't be sure that every student who was moved to tears is saved." Chris asked, "But why are they crying?"

I answered: "They were crying because they were convicted of their sin. But we can't tell if they could really understand how is it to be saved."

Indeed with the vast cultural and linguistic gap between ourselves and the high school kids - I could only pray to God to grant true understanding, for the truth to set people free. For the truth to be understood from the head - and in the heart. The joy on the faces of the students when they receive assurance and understanding is really a beautiful picture to behold. I pray that such joy abounds as the love of Jesus is known, and above all, Christ be magnified.