Godly Sorrow – Part 2
“I am going to preach tonight about sorrow for sin. I hope it has not yet quite gone out of the world; I trust that sorrowful penitence does still exist, though I have not heard much about it lately. People seem to jump into faith very quickly nowadays. I do not disapprove of that happy leap; but, still, I hope my old friend repentance is not dead. I am desperately in love with repentance; it seems to me to be the twin-sister to faith. I do not myself understand much about dry-eyed faith; I know that I came to Christ by the way of Weeping-cross. I did not come to shelter beneath his blood immediately I heard of it, as I now wish that I had done; but when I did come to Calvary, by faith, it was with great weeping and supplication, confessing my transgressions, and desiring to find salvation in Jesus, and in Jesus only.”
LeBron James Takes Responsibility
In Game 3 of the NBA Finals (6/11/13), San Antonio beat Miami by 36 points, which is the third worst loss in NBA Finals history. After such a humiliating blowout loss LeBron James said, “If I’m better, we’re better. I’m putting everything on my chest and my shoulders. I’ve got to be better. I’m not doing my part. I am owning everything that I did.” That is a man and a leader. He took full personal responsibility for the loss: “I put everything on me. I own everything.” He could have easily and justifiably said, “We lost because we didn’t play well as a team.” Anyone who watched the game knows that the whole team played poorly. But LeBron did not blame his team. A man and a leader takes full personal responsibility. Though I do not like LeBron, he gained my respect and admiration when he took responsibility rather than blame others, or make excuses.
What if UBF Had Used The NASB?
Think fast: what is the #1 most popular Bible verse in UBF? I think that those who have studied the Bible in UBF, who have attended UBF wedding ceremonies, read UBF mission reports, or just read the ubf.org website might answer: Genesis 12:1-3. The study of this passage has a prominent part in the Bible studies in UBF. The famous Genesis group Bible studies of Sarah Barry perhaps kick-started the early portions of the UBF ministry in Korea.
Jesus is Lord
When Christians preach the gospel of Jesus they say to their converts that “Jesus is our Savior and Lord”. We all discuss UBF here and we all know what UBF is, what it teaches and preaches. To newcomers UBF shepherds preach Jesus as their Savior. When newcomers come to know Jesus the Savior the Holy Spirit gives them new birth and makes them Christians. Then in the life of the newborn Christians in UBF starts what we call here “abuse”. It is because after the new birth young students are not taught the lordship of Jesus through the Holy Spirit.
Godly Sorrow – Part 1
Recently I discovered a gem of Christian sermons. It is Spurgeon’s sermon “Godly Sorrow and Sorrow”. I am compelled to share this today as I am convinced this sermon, and the text it is based upon, speaks directly to the ubf context. I have pointed out repeatedly that I care little for the changes that are occurring in ubf, even as we speak. The changes are good and necessary, yet count as nothing to me. Change and reform are essential, and will continue to occur as they always have. Yet I am not impressed with any change in ubf so far. But why? What am I looking for?
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of UBF
The good. UBF has many good godly Christians. UBF people are also generally very sincere. This may be a reason why many have come to Christ through UBF people, or they began to take their own Christian lives far more seriously than prior to coming to UBF. I still vividly remember the day I first walked into a Sunday Worship Service in Chicago UBF in 1980. I felt a “supernatural presence” during the worship service. The singing was spirited and electric. The people were genuine and happy. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming. The experience was moving and magnetic. Looking back I would say that the Spirit of God was present, and I was captured by Christ. Since that day, I have been devoted to Christ through UBF for 33 years. If not for UBF I would not be married. Since I am a practicing physician I have been able to offer over 1 million USD to UBF through tithes and offerings. Dozens of people who were mentored by my wife and I are also still committed to Christ in UBF to this day. My closest friends are in UBF, or are exUBFers. All my 4 children, ages 24 to 30, became committed Christians while in UBF. This is surely nothing but the merciful grace of Jesus upon my life and my family through UBF. Perhaps, countless thousands of people who have experienced UBF can echo something similar to what I have experienced and described above.
Do We Need a Counselor?
After leaving UBF ministry in 2011, one of the first things I noticed was that numerous former members (and some current members too) were going to see psychologists, psychiatrists or biblical counselors. One of the first things a pastor asked me in 2012 after sharing part of my story with him, was “Do you need counseling?” I had to admit, yes I do.
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