[:en]Lieutenant Hiroo Onoda of the Japanese Imperial Army stationed on an island in the Philippines did not know the war had ended. Attempts to track him down and leaflets was dropped over his location to tell him that the war was over. But Onoda, whose last order in 1945 was to stay and fight. So he dismissed all attempts and leaflets as trickery or propaganda from the enemy. He did not surrender until March 1947 – nearly 30 years after the war had ended – when his former commanding officer traveled from Japan to the Philippines, rescinded his original order, and officially relieved Onoda of duty. Onoda finally believed the war was over.
Many people today still have not heard or do not believe that Jesus has “destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Tim. 1:10) And some of us who have heard and believed still live defeated lives, trying to survive on our own in the jungle of life.
Someone needs to tell them the glorious news of Christ’s victory over sin and death. Many may respond with skepticism or doubt. But they will experience the freedom when Christ illumines their mind with the knowledge that the battle has been won. Let us keep an open heart to listen to others. Let us also share about what Jesus have done. – By Poh Fang Chia
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