The Heavenly Man: Encouraging and Convicting.
Apr 09, 2008 in Commentary, Reviews
What a fantastic book and testimony! I would challenge anyone who does not believe that God is still moving and speaking today to buy it and read it now! If this is the work of Satan, I’d appreciate hearing how.
Brief Overview.
The book is, as far as I can tell, an autobiography written by Brother Yun, a member of the Sinim Fellowship of House Church Leaders and their official representative to the world, with the help of Paul Hattaway. Paul leads a coalition of ministries that have a heart to serve the House Church networks of China through partnership and supplies. There’s very little more to say except to highlight some of the massive works of God in and through Brother Yun.
Yun was saved when he saw his father healed a massive illness that had drove his family into utter poverty. His mother had met Jesus when she was younger but had lost her faith until that time. They prayed fervently all night one simple prayer, “Jesus, heal father!” The following morning, their father was healed. This started massive revival in their own lives as well as the lives of those around them. Yun prayed fervently and persistently for three months that God would give him a Bible. Again, the words were simple, the effect massive! God answered his prayer, despite the Communist Revolutionary Government having destroyed any Bibles they could find.
Yun has throughout the book was imprisoned 3 times for a total of 7 years for the sake of Jesus. Truly, hearing his story brings alive what Jesus meant when he said, “Blessed are you when others persecute you and revile you and utter all kinds of evil against you for my name’s sake, for so they treated the prophets of old. Great is your reward in heaven!” On one occasion, he fasted absolutely for 74 days under the anointing of the Holy Spirit while in prison as a witness to the Lord. Many came to Christ through this witness.
On the last occasion that he was imprisoned in China (in the book, at least), the Chinese government wanted to teach him a lesson. So they destroyed his legs by beating them. He was unable to walk for over 3 months. One day, the Lord released him from prison and miraculously healed his legs. There are many witnesses to this event.
Stories such as this abound, but the incredibly refreshing thing is that Brother Yun never tries to focus on them for their own end. His constant cry as his wife, Deling, reports is this, “We are absolutely nothing. We have nothing to be proud about. We have no abilities and nothing to offer God. The fact that he chooses to use us is only due to his grace. It has nothing to do with us. If God should choose to raise up others for his purpose and never use us again we would have nothing to complain about.” His spirit of humility and grace abounds, though he has experience God’s mighty working. Oh, that we would have that in America!
Take Away Ideas.
The main take away idea that I have is that I am encouraged again to enter into the “simplicity of devotion to Christ.” What seems most to stand in stark contrast to the American Church in the Chinese House Churches is just that: simplicity. There aren’t large debates over theological perspectives, but a large and fervent cry to experience God and reach the lost. Persecution produces this, as does the outpouring of God’s Spirit. May the Lord have mercy on us and release his power of conviction without producing it through fire!
Another idea is that persecution is a necessary part of our faith, and “Woe to you when others speak well of you!” This is massive in its implications. Would that the Church in America would not have to pass through judgement in order to experience revival, but the more I read Brother Yun and meditate on the words of Christ, the more I realize that the path to redemption and revival is only on a road with the Cross.
Conclusion.
I highly recommend this book. I will more than likely read it many more times as my life goes on. May you be encouraged in a similar way and return to the simplicity of devotion. Amen.
