Writing the Gospel To Others
This is a parting letter I wrote to a Chinese friend who was here for one year as a visiting scholar. I wrote it the day I took him to the airport in Oklahoma City. The letter was inspired by Charles Haddon Spurgeon who is said to have written 500 letters a week by hand with a pen he dipped in ink. Though I shared the gospel with my Chinese friend on multiple occasions I wanted him to have the gospel in hand as I had explained it to him in person.
July 25, 2008
Dear _________,
It is hard to believe that just this time one year ago we were emailing each other to find a place for you to live in Stillwater and now you are leaving already. Time goes by so fast and life is so short, especially when you think about the reality of forever.
I hope that during your stay here in Stillwater that I have been a good friend to you. You are the best Chinese friend I have ever had, and the only one for that matter. I am afraid however that I would not be a good friend if I didn’t at least one more time say to you that there is a God who created (Genesis Chapter 1) everything including you, and He has made himself known to us in the person of Jesus Christ. (John 1:1-18)
Not only has He made himself known through His Son, Jesus, but in Jesus He has given us a way to be made right with him despite the reality that we have done so many things that are wrong.
I remember when I was little boy my mother took me to a local store and while I was there I stole two packs of gum that my mother later found in my pocket as I was taking a nap. I knew then even as a four year old that it was wrong and evil to take that which wasn’t mine to take. To my shame, I have since sinned more than I want to recall and in sinning I have separated myself from God, as have you (Romans 3:23). But while we were yet sinners Christ still died for us. (Romans 5:8) He died for you and me, the ungodly, though He was and is perfect.
As I have said to you before, if there is a God and He created the universe and everything in it then surely He is able to let us know how to love and know Him. The way we know God and His love and His Power and His forgiveness is by believing and trusting in Jesus and His finished work on the cross. It as at the cross where Jesus became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21) and God poured out His wrath on His son (Isaiah 53), though we are the ones that deserved it. What we deserved Jesus Christ absorbed. And in return by believing we get mercy and grace to live joyfully in Jesus eternally instead of the condemnation we deserve. (Romans 8:1-2)
_________, I have prayed often for you that you would believe in and trust Jesus. I know that is not an easy decision. It shouldn’t be. (Luke 14:25-33) I know you are going to a place where Jesus and the Bible are not readily accepted. I know you are going back to a wife and family who do not believe, but perhaps God will cause you to believe (1 Peter 1:3) and you can help your family believe in Jesus so that even if I never come to China to meet your family as we have talked about, I can meet you in heaven at the mercy seat of Jesus with your family to enjoy the God who payed for our sin. Again, I can’t help but believe that God brought you here not only to study, but to hear about Jesus Christ.
I have included a letter from a book I have read that is about my favorite preacher, Charles Haddon Spurgeon. I named Elijah Haddon Prentice after this man I like him so much. This is a letter from Mr. Spurgeon which he wrote to a young man in the 1800s. It is similar to this letter I am writing to you and I hope you find the letter as meaningful and as compelling as I did.
I am so glad you came to Stillwater and OSU. I hope your time here has been enjoyable and that you have a favorable opinion of what you have seen in the United States. I hope most of all that Jesus Christ will become real to you and that you will believe in Him and call on His name. (Romans 10:9-10) I will continue to pray this for you even when you are back in China.
Thank you for your friendship and teaching me so much about China. I hope to see you again whether in the U.S. or in China or in heaven. I hope also that we can continue to stay in touch through email.
Your Friend,
Brent Prentice