Hello everyone!
I wanted to write an update on yesterday’s Bible study.
We had it in Pedro’s mother house this time. She lives right next to Pedro. We were joined by Pedro’s brother and sister and his sister’s son, who is 19.
Isak used my flashcards last time when we had the first Bible study, but he wasn’t satisfied with this. He decided to do simply a study on the Gospel and to read verses in Bible that explains this. So, we all sat in a circle, everyone with Bibles, Shangaan and Portuguese, and Isak started explaining to them the holiness of God. The present condition of man before God. The nature of man according to the Bible. And the consequences and judgment of sin. When I sat there, I just praised the Lord. Here we were sitting in a typical Mozambican reed house with a group of people who read very poorly sometimes, think and speak very simply, but they were reading the Word with us! And really listening and taking in what Isak was saying. Many times, especially with young people, you get such a bored, ‘when-is-this-going-to-be-over’ attitude. But not yesterday! They were asking questions and making observations. When Isak had explained about sin, Pedro’s brother made this conclusion. “So, for man sin is not a problem. It’s his daily bread, his daily life” Meaning this is his condition before God.We told him that’s exactly how the Bible describes each of us. Then Isak explained to them the solution to sin. Christ on the cross, being punished in our place. He touched on this briefly and wants to go into more detail about what happened at the cross next week, Lord willing. He wanted to speak about sin first of all and the depravity of man before a holy God. They have to see the problem before they can comprehend the solution! Before they can appreciate the diamond, which is Christ, they have to see it against the black silk of their sin, if I may use Paul Washer’s illustration.
Pedro asked us, what if you are saved but you sin again, then God must punish you again, right?
We told him, no, if the Lord has saved you, you are forgiven forever. All the punishment for your sin fell on Christ! Not a drop of it falls ever on the believer! I told him this was the most amazing thing to me when the Lord opened this up for me. I am free! There is no condemnation ever! But we told him that the true believer will love the Lord because of this and serve Him, not go out and sin because there’s free grace. Isak explained to him God’s correction of His children and the difference of it from God’s wrath. This just awed him.
Pedro might be saved. He speaks of when he was in sin and how the Lord saved him and changed him. Please continue to pray for him and his family. He said that his wife wants to come, too.
Isak said that the Mozambicans need this: simply to be taught the Word of God. Not someone giving them some more ideas, there are more than enough of these.
But to see what the Word of God teaches. To hear the Gospel explained to them from the Word. This is so needed!
Thank you everyone for your prayers! The Lord really carried and helped Isak yesterday and we are so thankful. May all who come to this Bible study come to a saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus!
~ Anneke
Mozambique Missions 