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This testimony is an encouragement for me and other struggling believers. Christ promised that He will perfect every good work in us until the day of Christ. (Philippians 1:6)
It was a few days before my graduation in May of 1994 at Berkeley. I called about 15 people from KCPC (Korean Central Presbyterian Church) at San Francisco/Daly City to come to my graduation. I expected only one person to show up. That was John [alias name]. He was my third best friend at Berkeley. Brian Lim told me that he had to study and may not make it. I told myself that I was going to be disappointed because only one person out of 15 would probably show up at my graduation. As all of my colleagues in the physics department were getting their diplomas, I only heard a soft applause. I was about to receive my diploma, and suddenly, I heard a roar of believers yelling my name from the top of the balcony. I was shocked. I could not believe that almost all of the people including Brian Lim showed up. Frank Han, my second best friend at Berkeley, also showed up for my graduation. Frank Han is Tommy Hans older brother. Only John did not make it. He was busy studying for his finals and could not make it to my graduation. Although John let me down by not being there, I still love him as a friend.
It was the summer of 1996, and I had just come back from San Simon, Mexico. It was a culture shock to be back at home. I remembered that I threw up after I returned from San Simon. Even though I faced some physical hardships at San Simon, my faith in God was at its peak. I was so blessed to have my first real shower in a long time. I called one of my good friends at Berkeley to see how he was doing. Of course, I called John.
The following was our conversation.
"John [alias name], how are you doing?" I was talking on the phone from Irvine.
"I am not doing so well. My roommate told me that you are really mad at me," John responded from Berkeley.
"Come on, John. I am not mad at you. What are you talking about?" It sounds so ridiculous. I felt like laughing.
"So, you are not mad at me," he spoke with relief.
"Of course, not. Anyway, how is church?" I asked John.
"I am not going to church anymore," John told me the bad news.
"Why?" I was curious.
"Because I do not like the brothers and sisters in church," John complained.
"What did they do wrong?" I wondered.
"They are all hypocrites, and I have something to tell you," John said.
"What is it?" I showed my concern.
"I am no longer a Christian," he said, and I thought that he was joking.
"What are you talking about? You've got to be joking, John."
"Joseph, I am very serious," he spoke in a monotone voice.
"O.K. Prove to me that you are no longer a Christian."
"How am I going to do that, Joseph?"
"Curse God."
"How?"
"Use the "f" word," I whispered in a soft tone.
"O.K. I hate God. F--- God as well," John said and shocked me.
Suddenly, I felt so terrible, "John, what happened to you?"
"I sinned."
"Did you ask for forgiveness?"
"No, because I do not believe that God really cares about me."
"John, you are making me extremely sad. Do you know that there is a hell?" I spoke almost with tears in my eyes.
"I used to believe in hell, but now, I do not believe that hell exists."
"I am going to pray for you. John, can I ask Brian Lim to pray for you?"
"Joseph, please do not tell Brian," John panicked.
"John, I want Brian to know so that we can pray for you. He can keep this a secret. He is my very best friend."
"Joseph. I thought I was your best friend," John was obviously disappointed when I acknowledged Brian as my best friend at Berkeley.
Thus, I had to lie, "Well, you are my second best friend." Actually, John was my third best friend at Berkeley. Miraculously, he believed me even though I was terrible in playing Mafia.
"I guess that you love Brian a lot," John said.
"John, I love you too, and I really do care for you. If a North Korean soldier were to point a gun at you and me and said that one of us must die, I would tell the North Korean soldier to take my life," I told John (Summer of 1996).
"If the North Korean soldier were to point a gun at me and Brian, you would probably tell the North Korean soldier to shoot me. Right, Joseph?" John expected me to concur.
"No, John. I would tell the North Korean soldier to take Brian's life because I know that Brian would understand," I tried to encourage John by telling him that I love him a lot.
A few months later, John rededicated his life to Jesus Christ, and he still is a Five Point Calvinist. He became a Bible study leader at his home church. He was another proof that God continues the good work on a person once He starts. I would like to thank John [alias name] for giving me the permission to publish this testimony.
Please forward to your friends.