However, with the passage of time, I saw increasing lawlessness in the church. That the pastors loved status and money was already an open secret. During the sermons they cried out “Glorify God and help people,” yet in real life, what they did was not the same. They flattered the rich who donated, while despising and ignoring the poor. They often expounded on the following verses in the high pulpit, “My brothers, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come to your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And you have respect to him that wears the gay clothing, and say to him, Sit you here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand you there, or sit here under my footstool: Are you not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?” (James 2:1-4). They also told the believers countless times, “We must engrave the Lord’s words in our hearts, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like to it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:37-39). But the sharp contrast in what they said and did made me feel surprised: Is this the likeness of one who truly serves the Lord? Why do they go against the Lord’s teaching while speaking of His word? From their behaviors, I found they were precisely the experts who adorned themselves with biblical theology. How could such behaviors of theirs not be detested by God? With no new light in their preaching, I lost the former joy and peace in my heart, and I could only pour out my heart to the Lord, “O Lord! Why has the previously prosperous church become so desolate today? May You recover our faith and strength earlier!” Later, I heard more and more frequently that many good sheep from all denominations and sects turned to the
Eastern Lightning because of its profound preaching, yet the religious leaders repeatedly warned us against it. I fell into puzzlement and confusion, and prayed to the Lord: “O Lord! Why have those good sheep left their churches? Could it be that they have received new nourishment and feeding in other places? O Lord! Where are You now?”