The New Testament Ministry, E.Y.

There comes a time in every person's life when they must ask themselves the purpose of their existence. When this time comes, God has a way of speaking and revealing Himself. For me, this time came in my mid-twenties after a long wrestling match with God. Like Jacob, the Lord defeated me and touched the hollow of my thigh, the strongest part of my being (Genesis 32:24-25, 32). It was then I was broken and was able to receive His Word.

The Lord's faithfulness led me to Genesis, and with the help of the ministry of Watchman Nee and Witness Lee, the heavens were opened up and the Word became living. The detailed experiences described in an exposition on Genesis penetrated the deepest part of my being. The Word was like a two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit and joints and marrow, and able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). I could not hide from Him. The manner in which the inward depths of my being were so precisely described convinced me that only one Person could know man in this way--the Creator Himself. At times the words were so exposing and overwhelming, my only response was to close the book, look humbly up to heaven and thank God for His mercy. The echo in my being confirmed to me that this ministry was genuine.

In 2 Corinthians 11, the Apostle Paul gives two secrets of discerning the genuine New Testament ministry. The first secret revealed in verses 2-3 is that the genuine New Testament ministry stirs up our love for God as our Bridegroom so that we may enjoy Him to the uttermost as our Husband. My testimony is that every time I come to the Word of God with an open heart and spirit and enjoy the ministry of Watchman Nee and Witness Lee, my love for my Lord Jesus is stirred and my enjoyment of Him as my Husband is increased.

The second secret is revealed in verses 23-33. The genuine ministry strengthens the believers to follow Christ in the fellowship of His sufferings for the sake of His Body. As I continue to seek the Lord, my testimony is that I have been strengthened more and more to follow Christ in the fellowship of His sufferings for the sake of this Body. Without this ministry opening the Word of God in this way, I would never have the strength, nor would I even have thought of suffering for the sake of His Body.

After the Lord wrestled and defeated Jacob, Jacob walked away with a limp. He was never the same. After the Lord wrestled and defeated me, He touched me in His Word. I have never been the same.