Sodomite March at University of the Philippines

Two weeks upon learning there would be a sodomite rally on the 28th at Quezon City, we held overnight prayer meetings between the hours of 2AM to 4AM. We believe all battles in behalf of the kingdom of Christ is won on our knees, and that our Lord's victory on the cross was made possible by that pivotal moment He spent in Gethsemane the night before. Everyone wanted to participate, but our small car can only accommodate five people. Everyone else would have to endure the laborious effort of traveling from Makati and Bulacan. Some sacrificed the day off from work, while others traveled directly from a 5 a.m. shift. We weren't there to see the event or the people, but to witness for our Savior.

The public proclamation of the word is grossly misunderstood by most, especially by religionists who think the practice is outmoded, impractical, and ineffective. I've read comments arguing that it drives people away, and it belittles their faith. In reality, they have never been closer to the truth than when they have heard the gospel preached to them. You cannot drive a person further away from God who is already separated from Him. Evil hates the Truth as well as it's messenger. Truth is harsh to the proud but gentle to the lowly. 

Following Christ comes at the cost of the world's hatred. One of the great tragedy of our times is the absence of the teaching that the life of the new creature can only come from the death of the old man. The rugged cross comes at a price too high to pay for many. This teaching is almost unheard of. The very reason we find it extremely difficult to live for Christ is because we refuse to die to self.

Many times, I leaned helplessly on the cross, desperately waiting on the Lord. I'm not even sure what to ask. I can only groan in my spirit. I've heard a story about Whitefield upbraiding his hearers for being dull and lifeless they could not even weep for themselves, so he would throw his head back and cry out to God for them. It is the same here. How do you address and respond to men who are blind, deaf, or dead? To those who, on their own, flee from the light for fear of being exposed for their wicked deeds? (John 3:19)

During the times my head was down and my eyes were closed, all I can hear was scorn, laughter and ridicule. A fool in the world's eyes. Only the words of my Christ clearly echoing in my mind comforted me, "remember why the world hates you." "Yea, Lord. Because it hates you." (John 15:18-19)

A deep sense of unworthiness crept in. Doubt and unbelief. Such wretchedness in my flesh undeserving to hoist the name that is blessed forever. I was not afraid to speak against men, I was afraid to speak for my Lord. 

I anticipated the worst, and gave the keys and papers of the car to my son-in-law. If anything happens to me they can go home safely. I resigned myself to God's will. So I stood for 2 hours on that intersection carrying the cross with its message displayed in clear bold letters - in front of the very guards who told us we couldn't preach without a permit from the organizers. I followed their rule and did not preach, but the cross did. Countless people walked by, everybody read the message. I could not put it down even with its weight bearing down on my arms. This is the time to work, not complain. Everyone was taking pictures of the cross, even mockingly. I praised God, knowing they will post it online, and would actually help in pushing the message well beyond our reach. What they meant for ridicule, God meant for good. Who would have bothered to notice me without the cross? No one I'm sure. The cross did the work all on its own, I was just the footstool. 

These two walking dead men helped draw the crowd. The preachers and martyrs of old had it worse. Christ had it far worse. Everything was happening at lightning speed it was mind-numbing to even process what was happening. The burden of how to communicate Christ to them, and the futility of casting pearls before swine is indescribable and overwhelming. 

Credit to the owner of this photo.

This is what many do not understand about public preaching: the goal is not the people, but the glory of God. Before the holiness of God all men are beasts and devils. Not one man deserves pity and pardon. We are utterly impure, and our crimes against the holiness of God, heinous. We preach to witness against the pride of men and to call men to repentance. To vindicate the name of God so that He might be justified when he speaks, and be clear when He condemns (Psalm 51.4). Preaching the cross of Christ honors God, and through it God both saves and condemns. There is no condemnation to him who will believe, but he that believes not is condemned already. (John 3:18)

I am here not for them but for my Lord. I am pleading not for them but to witness for my Lord. He has sent us here not for them but for Him. 

We brought at least a thousand tracts, and left only with a few. More than 900 hands received the gospel witness. We pray it may not be for the recipients' condemnation but that the Lord would move in His mercy. 

This gay person approached me to ask what the word repent meant. Beginning from the separation of our parents from God in the garden, we went through the law, and how it showed us the impossibility of bringing ourselves back into the presence of God by our works. I explained the promise of a Savior after the fall, and the fulfillment of that promise in the person and redemptive work of Christ. When we ended secret sins and in judgement, and he was visibly uncomfortable. He hurriedly thanked me. I thanked God.

I observed a man taking photographs from across the street. I could tell he was a professional based on his gear. Not long afterwards, he approached me and took closer photos. He was from the Manila Times, and he encouraged me greatly for taking a stand even if I was alone, saying though many would regard this as foolish, it was nonetheless necessary. I thanked and blessed him. (I learned later that a dear sister was asking the Lord to send me an encouragement.) Another lady came, asking for my name, thinking I was a pastor. She was from the Inquirer. I gave her my first name, and told her I was just an insignificant layman, and asked her to highlight the cross instead. Their work appeared in their respective newspapers the next day.

Scripture says, Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20) God multiplied the reach of His message to the people. To how many I do not know. But I believe we have gained far more than merely sitting in church the following day and talking about an event that happened. The glory God will take from our meager witness is worth our few hours of toil and shame. The answer to prayer was infinitely more than we asked.

Photo from the Manila Times