‘Completing his course’

[Acts 13:25]

Once in Korea, there was a stir caused by rotten radish dumplings.  Many citizens were angered by the fact that some dumpling companies were making dumplings with spoiled radishes imported from China.  In the midst of this, I came across a news article about a restaurant owner who made a declaration of conscience.  The reason they used spoiled radishes to make dumplings was to reduce the cost of ingredients and make more money.  The news reporter pointed out that this was a misguided thinking of dumpling companies and some snack shops trying to easily make money at the expense of the nation's health.  Similarly, many Christians seem to be running a race of faith with a misguided mindset, just like dumpling companies and some snack shops trying to easily make money.  They want rapid growth in their faith without enduring hardships or dedicating themselves.  Whether they will be able to finish the race of faith to the end is a question that seems unnecessary to ask.

I want to reflect on the race of faith of John the Baptist, focusing on Acts 13:25.  More specifically, I want to meditate on his life as he persevered in his race of faith to the end, and receive the lessons that God provides.

First, John the Baptist proclaimed a message urging for change.

Look at Acts 13:24 - "Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel."  Here, "repentance" refers to a change in life and heart.  External change is meaningless without internal change.  Therefore, as we prepare for our church's word conference, the entire church is praying for "change."  I am holding onto Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."  What I want to consider here is what are the things I should not conform to in this generation.  I want to reflect on things like whether I am following the patterns of the world, compromising with the world, etc.  In short, I need to identify what needs to change in my life and in my heart.  Therefore, as I prepare for this word conference, I desire to live a life that seeks change both during and after the conference.

Second and last, John the Baptist possessed an unchanging truth.

The unchanging truth was 'I am not the Christ' (v. 25).  Knowing who I am not means knowing who I truly am.  In other words, John the Baptist knew his subject and faithfully fulfilled his role.  In the Gospel of Mark, chapter 1, and the Gospel of John, chapter 1, John the Baptist is described as (1) a voice in the wilderness, (2) one preparing the way of the Lord, (3) one making the paths straight for Him, and (4) one revealing Jesus.  He clearly understood his calling or mission and faithfully carried it out to the end.  When people asked him, he could say, 'I am not the Christ,' which is the confession of one who faithfully acknowledges his calling.  How many famous Christians are there who, while outwardly giving glory and honor to Christ, have roots of pride deep within, seeking to enjoy His glory and honor for themselves?  Reflecting on whether there is any prideful ambition within, even as we outwardly give glory and honor to Christ, the confession of John the Baptist, 'I am not the Christ,' cannot be anything but the truth and principle of a life that led him to finish the race of faith.  The confession 'I am not the Christ' not only tells us that I know who I am, but also that I know with certainty who Christ truly is.  John the Baptist knew with certainty that Jesus was the Messiah, the Christ. Referring to Him as the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (Jn. 1:29), John the Baptist focused solely on Jesus.  That's why when his disciples told him that many people were going to Jesus to be baptized, he said, "He must become greater; I must become less" (3:30).  The attitude of 'I must become less' is the faith posture of one who acknowledges the solid fact that 'I am not the Christ.'

I once watched the funeral of the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, through the news, and tried to apply the two principles of John the Baptist's life.  First, like John the Baptist, who proclaimed a message urging for change, President Reagan was a president who pursued change in America.  Leaving the White House, in his final speech, he evaluated the changed America, saying, "Not bad, not bad," and concluded his speech with, "Good bye! God bless America!"  I was deeply moved by President Reagan, who endured pain and suffering to make a better America for the American people.  Second, like John the Baptist, who possessed an unchanging truth, President Reagan is being evaluated as a president who held onto unchanging principles to the end.  Through the news, I heard that he was being remembered as a man of principle, who governed the country according to his convictions without being swayed by the environment. I also heard the evaluation of Rev. Billy Graham, who said that President Reagan was a man with deep faith.  Watching how President Reagan's death was evaluated through his funeral after he completed his race, I was challenged to become someone who finishes the race well.

Praying earnestly to be able to pursue change continuously in the race of faith, to distinguish between what needs to change and what should not change, and to always possess the unchanging word of truth in my heart, I remain,

James Kim

(Dreaming of Change Through This Revival Conference)