But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:35-36
“It is the Christians, O Emperor, who have sought and found the truth, for they acknowledge God… They show love to their neighbors. They do not do to another what they would not wish to have done to themselves. They speak gently to those who oppress them, and in this way they make them their friends. It has become their passion to do good to their enemies… This, O Emperor, is the rule of life of the Christians, and this is their manner of life.”
This quote widely ascribed to Aristides of Athens (c. A.D. 137).
Notice the witness of the early church Christians before the Emperor in the second century. Their diligence to follow their rule of life as their manner of life reflected a consistent reputation of doing good to become known even to the Emperor.
This reflects precisely the reason GTP is in Hong Kong right now. We want churches and ministries to follow consistent standards so that their rule of life (standards) matches their manner of life (practice) and so they have a reputation of integrity and love.
Pray for strategic meetings with accountants, attorneys, and other professionals on Saturday. I will share biblical teaching and practical tools for helping them build trust and reflect that consistent witness.
And our prayers were answered yesterday. God raised up key pastors and ministry workers who desire to join a team which will draft the standards for churches and ministries in Hong Kong. Most others, nearly 50 in attendance, expressed interest to join the pilot group.
Basically from here, interested persons from the two parallel events on Thursday and Saturday in HK will surface interested people to join a team who will draft standards, engage a core group of ministries, and launch a pilot season.
Pray for them. The world is watching. We must reflect a consistent Christian witness wherever we are. This comes into view as our generous contribution to the kingdom as we glorify God together. Make your manner of life the same as your rule of life.