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Here is a quote from C.H. Spurgeon; “A needle will move towards a magnet, if a magnet is placed near enough to it.” There is power there. This quote was in reference to God’s Word coming in contact with a person and what can happen as that person gets humble. What happens is, God gets busy in their life. It’s awesome to watch as they draw near to God and then get their new direction from Him. A great example of this truth, is in the account of a man who was transformed by the gospel.
Tokichi Ishii was hung for murder in Tokyo in 1918. He went straight to be with his Savior, not because of the works that he had done; no, he had been a wicked man. He had been sent to prison more than 20 times. He was said to have been as cruel as a tiger towards others. The truth is, Tokichi was saved because he had been put in contact with the Word of God and the Spirit’s magnetism humbled him to receive new life. Sentenced to death (having been placed in prison for the murder of a Geisha), Tokichi was visited by two Christian missionaries, Miss West and Miss McDonald. These two women had tried to form a relationship with him by sending homemade, tasty meals along with a Bible and some Christian literature. He refused the food. He believed; with all he had done in his past that he could not accept any form of kindness. However, one day being bored, he opened his Bible and eventually read what Jesus said from the cross, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Tokichi said in his book, “A Gentleman in Prison” , that this sentence stabbed him in the heart. It transformed his life. “Shall I call it the love of the heart of Christ? Shall I call it His compassion? I do not know what to call it. I only know that with an unspeakably grateful heart I believed.” Tokichi was saved because two of God’s people brought His word into a sinner’s prison cell and the Spirit did His work. The man humbled himself, believing on Christ, then made himself useful the rest of his life on earth.
The Most Excellent Way has the heart to reach people in the same way. We trust that God’s promise in Isaiah 55:11 is absolute; “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” It’s awesome to watch, isn’t it? And we all get to be a part of stories like that of Tokichi Ishii. From business people to those on the streets, God’s magnetism is awesome to watch! It’s happening all over the world as TMEW trusts in the power of God’s Spirit, as we get all walks of life and types of people in the word. The humility Tokichi Ishii displayed as God’s word cut him to the heart, will never be rejected by God. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart-These , O God You will not despise.” Psalm 51:17 We love that God get’s busy when people admit that, “I am powerless over the effects of drugs, alcohol, and self-centered behavior. My life is unmanageable.” May we all stay faithful to bring the truth to people in love, telling them about a loving Savior who makes His people whole. We love serving with you all! We pray for you!
