Jesus – Derek Kunhee Kim (김건희 金健熙)

The greatest thing I did in college

I’ve been reflecting on what have been the most influential endeavors during my time at Michigan State, particularly in my relationship with Jesus.

Fellowship on Tuesday nights and Sunday mornings play a vital role in Christian growth. Conferences and retreats have been a wellspring of lifelong friendships. What I am about to say is not in contrast to these beautiful things. If anything, it’s in complement with these things.

Memorizing the Word of God is without a doubt the most important endeavor I undertook in college.

I really can’t say enough about this. And if I’m not intentional, I could go in circles for the next few paragraphs. But I’m willing to do that if it will help you get a glimpse of its benefits.

I will share one way this practice has helped me as a college student and as a young man: Memorizing Scripture has been monumental in my endeavor to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness on a campus that is submersed in its antithesis.

I’ve experienced firsthand the sufficiency of the Bible in living a life of eternal significance (2 Peter 1:3). Reading the Bible is important, but memorizing these Words takes your spirituality to a whole new level. Your thinking slowly and surely becomes aligned with God’s.

When I’m tempted to lust or lie or spew out frustration, it’s infinitely more powerful for me to declare Matthew 5:8 or 1 Corinthians 6:18 over my situation than utter any scrap of human insight. Like 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 says, our faith does not rest in human wisdom but in the power of God.

It’s not legalistic; it’s taking God’s Word at face value. Eternal, majestic, soul-saving, life-giving, unchanging, sovereign.

Do you want to be more Christ-like? Memorize Romans 8. Do you need ammunition to fight your addiction to pornography? Memorize Psalm 119:1-9-11. Do you want to love people sacrificially? Memorize 1 Corinthians 13. If you want to see the world through the Creator’s eyes, then memorize Scripture. I really can’t overemphasize it. I literally want to jump through the screen and beg you to do this.

Your knowledge of God’s Word and your capacity to fight sin has a direct correlation.

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my hear that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:9-11)

Jesus did it, too. He fought Satan’s temptation by declaring God’s Word over the present circumstance (Matthew 4:1-11). If the Son of God responds to the king of Hell by proclaiming God’s Word, who are we to think we can fight this fight in any other way?

If Colossians 1:16-17 is true, which it is, then we will never reach our full Christ-exalting potential unless God’s truth is central in all we do.

When you store God’s Word in your mind, you are tattooing the most pure source of truth into the epicenter of your existence. My dear brothers and sisters, memorize the Bible, please. It will revolutionize the way you think, love, and interact with others. Don’t leave your devotionals in the morning without memorizing at least one verse. It’s the most pure source of truth you will encounter on this side of eternity.

Your Friend, D.Kim
Acts 20:24
FTM

Why I won’t be watching “Heaven is For Real”

On my flight back from Baltimore! It's kind of like Heaven, maybe? — On my flight back from Baltimore!

Today marks an infinitely important day in history. Jesus was raised from the dead. My faith is not futile. Jesus is the Christ and is able to pay the price for my sins.

Sunday also marks the release of “Heaven is For Real” the fictitious account of a four year old boy who went to Heaven and back.

To my brothers and sisters, be careful. It’s an awfully cute story. A toddler growing up in a dinky little rural town recovers from a burst appendix to testify he went to Heaven and back. But let’s recuperate through the clouds of emotionalism and ask the all-important question: Is Burpo’s account consistent with God’s Word?

No.

There is simply no Biblical basis for someone–today–to return to Heaven and back.

Scripture is sufficient. If you want to know that Heaven is for real, then look no further than the historical, logical, archaeological, and prophetically credible words of the Old and New Testament. Just FYI, the cult that is the “church” of Latter-Day-Saints was inaugurated on the testimony of a 12-year-old boy named Joseph Smith.

Scripture testifies of four people who got a glimpse of Heaven: Ezekiel, Isaiah, Paul, and John. Glimpses! Not all-inclusive trips like the one the Burpo’s testify of. These were prophetic visions–not near death experiences. And these prophets didn’t speak of cute features like sitting on Jesus’ lap; they were utterly awestruck by the Glory of God, which is the supreme reality of Heaven.

Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son’s name? Surely you know! (Proverbs 30:4)

No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. (John 3:13)

Because here is the issue: If what Todd Burpo says is true, then he is claiming divine authority that has been granted to him. Since it is a new revelation of God! This is much more than a heart-warming story, friends! This involves the credibility of the Bible! Putting words into God’s mouth that he didn’t say.

Heaven is For Real is representative of a dangerous sway in the American church toward subjective, esoteric, mystical experience. Emotions are important–essential to human expression, but any narrative that stimulates emotionalism-based decision-making rather than standing upon the objective truth of God’s Word, should be avoided.

Personally, I find the book of Revelation much more fascinating. It’s so much better than having wings and seeing old relatives. No more death. No more darkness. No more ferry disasters in my home country. Satan defeated. Martyrs redeemed. And best of all: I will see Jesus face-to-face.

Have discernment, my friends. There is a terrible amount of false teaching out there.

Your friend, D.Kim
Acts 20:24
FTM

A Dangerous Attitude Toward Evangelism

There’s a cliché floating around that greatly concerns me.

Now let me be clear. I wouldn’t call it a heresy. I think it’s simply a misunderstanding. But misunderstandings can become plagues if not snipped in the bud.

What I’m talking about is this idea that, as Christians, we are supposed to let our actions be the utmost testimony to the world. I recently read a couple articles about two NFL quarterbacks whom adhered to this dangerous attitude toward evangelism.

“I committed my life to Christ, and that faith has been most important to me ever since. Some players get more vocal about it … some point to Heaven after scoring a touchdown and praise God after games. I have no problem with that. But I don’t do it, and don’t think it makes me any less a Christian. I just want my actions to speak louder, and I don’t want to be more of a target for criticism than I already am.”

“——- will not stand on the bleachers and shout; but he will privately live that life consistently with Jesus. I love that about him.”

While such statements bear some truth, the attitude they exhibit is not completely Biblical. Here is why.

There is a constant theme throughout the Old and New Testaments that when believers are filled with God’s Spirit, they spoke His truth. Here are just a couple examples.

“Then the Spirit clothed Amasai, chief of the thirty, and he said,” 1 Chronicles 12:18

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me … to proclaim liberty to the captives.” Isaiah 61:1-2 (later repeated by Jesus in Luke 4)

“But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Sprit, looked intently at him and said,” Acts 13:9

And Jesus, our Lord, is the paramount example.

“And Jesus, fill of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days being tempted by the devil … And Jesus answered,” Luke 4:1-2,4

The Bible is packed with countless other examples.

People loved Jesus when He would heal the sick; the crowds flocked to His presence when He fed them. But it was His words that separated the sheep from the goats. His verbal testimony is what provoked people to pick up stones to kill Him.

Paul wasn’t beheaded because he lived a private Christian life. The Apostle James wasn’t slaughtered by Herod’s sword because he attended church. Christians in North Korea, Saudi Arabia, and India are not electrocuted, burned at the stake, and forced to watch the murder of their families simply because their behavior emits religion. Christ followers are martyred for their fearless proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that is then echoed by their lifestyle as a cornerstone.

If our actions fail to support our words, we are hypocrites. If our words don’t overflow as a result of our salvation, then we need to evaluate if we are finding our satisfaction in God alone. We will naturally talk about what–or whom–we find joy in.

This timidity may very well be rooted in a buried, bashful fear of man. Such has been an enduring struggle in my life. I need to constantly ask myself if I’m seeking the approval of man over the approval of Yahweh.

Proverbs 29:25 says the fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe. I don’t like to share my faith. In fact, if I were to be blunt, I hate it. Naturally, I love the approval of man. I hate rejection. I hate the weird stigma that comes with not knowing how to start a “spiritual conversation. I am terrified of talking to people about the Gospel. I would much rather preach a message or hide behind my computer screen in a blog post. But Jesus’ Church is built on the blood of martyrs who unashamedly embraced persecution for proclaiming the Gospel. And for the rest of my life, I am going to have to make war against the flesh that desires the world’s recognition rather than hearing those words “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:23).

The Bible is crystal clear. We must be bold in sharing the Gospel holistically. Souls hang in the balance.

Oh, trust me, I’m 110% for living a life that is “worthy of the calling we have received” (Ephesians 4:1). But our mission will never be complete until we speak for what we stand for.

Don’t allow crazy “preachers” at your college campus deceive you. There is a way to share your faith with others that doesn’t make you seem like a madman.

Let’s not succumb to this ineffectual attitude of American Christianity. It will prevent us from accomplishing what the Holy Spirit yearns to do in us.

“The world can do nothing to a Christian who has no fear of man. -Brother Yun”

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? Any how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news! … so faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:14-15, 17

Your Friend, D.Kim
Acts 20:24
FTM

Echoes of Eternity

I stumbled across a wonderful surprise while downloading iOS7 to my iPhone.

Buried within the bog of my Camera Roll, were videos from Passion 2013 that I had failed to upload to YouTube!

So here they are. Be encouraged by the echoes of 60,000 worshiping the one true God!

The Georgia Dome at full capacity is but an iota compared to the forthcoming praises of the elect in Heaven. Indeed, as C.S Lewis said, for the believer, there are far greater things ahead than any we leave behind.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who you out of darkness into his marvelous light. – 1 Peter 2:9

Your Friend, D.Kim
Acts 20:24
FTM

The lifeline of my quest to become an author

The desire to change the world is not evil; the desire to be known for it is.

For where jealously and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. – James 3:16

This has been a struggle for me.

As many of you know, I have been writing a book since I graduated from high school – an encouragement to high school saints to “take the narrow road” and be uncommon for Christ (Matthew 7:13-14). My project is almost finished. I am in the editing process, and the manuscript will soon be sent to publishers and literary agents (tentatively, the end of September). The journey has been grueling, mainly because a novel’s process is obscure amidst the legion of edits and late nights. You put so much time, so much effort, and sacrifice into something, yet the finish line is unseen. Thus, my flesh has been tempted to latch onto other masquerades of motivation: the prospect of fame, money, a new identity. Hence, delighting in Jesus as the cornerstone of my endeavor has sustained me. He’s so stable, so firm, so unshakeable, and so reliable while the cancers of the world give way.

I have asked myself, “Would I be content if I didn’t sell a single novel?” “Would I still have joy if my name wasn’t on the cover?” Is Jesus truly the sole fuel behind the engine of my thoughts?

I must accredit John Piper’s works, which have been so uplifting in this journey. Piper teaches that God is the only being in the universe whose self-exaltation is loving. God is the gospel. For us to exalt ourselves is hateful. If the odor from our actions reeks, “Look at me! Look at me! Me! Me!” we are being evil. However, for God to exalt Himself is love, because God is love. He is our joy! Not his love, kindness, grace, or mercy! HIM! Scripture is dominated by the idea that the greatest gift God could give us is Himself.

Jesus is wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. (1 Corinthians 1:30)

Jesus is truth. (John 14:6)

Jesus is love. (1 John 4:8)

Jesus is glory. (Colossians 3:4)

Jesus is Lord. (Romans 10:9, Philippians 3:20)

So with every word, every paragraph, every click of the keyboard, my aim is to see Jesus a bit more clearly through my Christian hedonism.

And fortunately, delighting – being happy – in Jesus is not a suggestion, but a command.

Your friend, D.Kim
Acts 20:24
FTM

Beware of Freedom

Freedom is a curse to those who do not know how to rightfully handle it. It’s the reason why criminals are confined in prisons with electric fences, steel bars, and concrete barriers. A campfire that is not attended to in a dry forest will quickly spread into a blazing inferno. Unchecked freedom will create chaos both in nature as well as the lives of human beings.

No where is this more evident than in the average life of us, who live in America. We have rights that many foreign nations do not. I have witnessed this single hand as I have traveled around the world and seen how abominable a government can treat it’s people. Despite our freedoms, we use freedom’s luxury to live selfishly or to pass the blame onto someone else. We slip into patterns of self-indulgent living in a affluent society.
This 4th of July, as we enjoy the family barbecues and the fireworks, let’s sit down and be thankful for the liberties we have. I hope that as the year progresses, we would learn to use freedom not for personal benefit, but as a gift to help those who are not as fortunate. Liberty should be a blessing rather than a curse, it’s our decision if we will fall into the pattern or start a new path for others to follow.

“Like a raging fire, freedom without limits is dangerous. But when controlled, it is a blessing to all.” -Dennis De Haan

My (Heavenly) Father’s Birthday Present

During the last week of 2012, I celebrated the birthday of both my earthly and Heavenly fathers. For those who know me well, you know that my relationship with my father has shaped me more than any other relationship in my life. It has been far from perfect, but the word of God has reconciled our relationship.

I have decided to share the letter I wrote to my dad for his 47th birthday. Some may ask why I am sharing something so personal. My response is simple. Galatians 5:1 says that Christ has set us free to set others free. I firmly believe that everything we experience is not only for our benefit, but also for the benefit of others (Philippians 2:4). I have my dad’s permission to share this, all for the sole purpose of magnifying Christ and his faithfulness to his children.

No other relationship will influence your view of the Heavenly Father as much as your relationship with your earthly father. I pray that through my father’s birthday present, you would grow closer to your Heavenly father.

Continue reading “My (Heavenly) Father’s Birthday Present”

The Greatest Illustration on Earth

It takes a lot to make me cry. But anything that draws a personal connection always makes me to tear up.

I have always been a sucker for stories of military families being reunited with their loved ones. I just can’t imagine the jubilee I would feel after seeing someone I thought I might never see again. The good news is you don’t have to know someone in the military to experience this kind of joy.

It’s hard for me to not cry when I watch these videos. Mainly because they are an incredible illustration of the promise we hold to as Christ Followers: the promise that one-day, after we have fought the good fight, we will go home and be reunited with our Heavenly Father.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
– The Apostle Paul

At the end of my life, I want nothing more than to hear the words,

“Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant”

Continue reading “The Greatest Illustration on Earth”

Dark Horses

This past Tuesday was further assurance to me that I am supposed to be in East Lansing. My brother Connor Smith successfully walked-on to the Michigan State baseball team. Ecstatic, jubilee, gratefulness were some of the emotions I felt as I read his text message while sitting in the International Center. This is an incredible act of God’s faithfulness. Without blabbing on too much, I want to share 3 reasons why this is so encouraging to me.

Continue reading “Dark Horses”

April 10

April 10. Another day that will forever be tattooed on my soul. On this day 2 years ago, I had to say goodbye to a country that changed my life. Today was the day I left Montego Bay, Jamaica after a week of doing God’s work. It was the day I had to come “home.”

Even though I technically made it back “home” to Detroit, I still felt homesick. In fact, I am still homesick to this day. The trip was just another reminder of Jesus’ words in John 18:36 where he said

“My Kingdom is not of this world.”

This world is not our home. For those of us who follow Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior may we be reminded that our residency is in Heaven. Let’s make sure that we never get too comfortable here on Earth.

Continue reading “April 10”