Life is the Content of the Living; Living is the Expression of Life, Mona Kuo

My first impression of the local church was that it was so different from other Christian gatherings. There was no pastor, no pastor’s wife; there was no choir, nor even a podium or pews. There were no plates and bags passed around to collect money for tithes. There were only Christians meeting in a simple way. Some women even wore head coverings (1 Corinthians 11:5, 10). I saw no beauty and fashion in wearing head coverings. I thought it was strange and it was not my style. I thought, “Why do they, being fairly young, dress in such an old fashioned way?” I was puzzled. However, once we started singing, I could sense the difference. There was freshness and vitality. The testimonies and fellowship were so filled with enthusiasm that I was captivated for the whole meeting. I was impressed by this, and easily stayed awake for those two hours. There was much supply of God’s life in the brothers’ and sisters’ fellowship. There was a good reason for this; there is great emphasis on reading God’s Word daily. In addition, they read the Life-Study of the Bible for further enlightenment. There was preparation in “tilling the ground” of the Word at home, so there was “an offering of the harvest” through their speaking in the meetings. Are we not all ministers of the gospel (2 Timothy 4:5; Ephesians 4:16)?

I love the local church because the teaching and the practices are one; in this we enjoy God’s life inwardly for the expression of His life outwardly. Shouldn’t our daily living be like this?