Until Sincerity Reaches the Heart

The idea of worshiping alongside my family, of naturally sharing the fragrance of Zion at holiday gathering—it felt almost like a dream. From the moment I accepted God Elohim, it had been a dream I had carried in my heart for nearly thirty years. Gratefully, that once-distant dream is now slowly coming within reach, beginning with my sister-in-law.

This long-held hope of mine began the first time I heard the truth. Growing up in a Catholic household, I had been confident in my faith, certain that I knew God well. Yet the Bible teachings shared by the Church of God members completely overturned my assumptions. From the proper way to worship God, to observing the Passover, to the coming of the Second Coming Christ—everything I thought I knew conflicted with the Bible, leaving me deeply shocked. After many sleepless nights of reflection, I decided to become a member of the Church of God. However, since my understanding was slow, I found myself constantly questioning and seeking answers. Without even realizing it, I began sharing the Bible teachings I had learned with my husband and friends.

I shared about Christ Ahnsahnghong with my third sister, the sibling I had relied on the most. She immediately rejected it, saying there was no need to hear such things, and opposed my faith. Other family members who learned that I was attending the Church of God were equally unwelcoming. Rumors about me spread quickly—not only among our eight siblings but also to my in-laws and cousins—and as the story passed from mouth to mouth, misunderstandings grew. The truth was clear to me, yet everyone around me insisted I was wrong. However, their opposition only strengthened my resolve: I was determined to hold fast to my faith and to share the word with them as well.

The truth is, my family knew neither the name of our church nor its teachings. Their hearts had already been closed by prejudice. Whether it was my siblings, in-laws, or nephews, no matter how much I tried to clear up the misunderstandings and share the truth, they remained unmoved. Even when I showed them news articles about our church, they were surprised by its size but clung to their existing beliefs, hesitant to learn more for fear of what other family members might think. Still, I am deeply grateful that my husband and parents-in-law have received the blessing of new life.

As I saw their hearts gradually begin to open, I shared even more earnestly my desire for us to receive salvation together as a family. It had taken me time to come to understanding the truth myself, and above all, because my family is so precious to me, I could never just give up on them.

Then my thoughts turned to my sister-in-law, who had married my eldest brother when I was in high school. She had always been kind to me, and I had looked up to her. Even as life grew busy and we lost regular contact, I sensed from what I heard that she was spiritually searching, but I had hesitated to reach out. Fear of rejection and cold reception quietly held me back. Yet compared to the blessings of the forgiveness of sins and salvation I had received, this seemed like a small trial. Gathering my courage, I urged her to listen to the teachings of the Bible; after all, the pain of being refused would be brief, but the regret of not trying would last far longer.

Much to my relief, my sister-in-law agreed without hesitation. Like a baby bird eagerly waiting for its next meal, she wanted to keep listening to God’s words. Our study sessions, which often began at night, sometimes stretched into the early morning hours. During the Autumn festivals, I attended morning and evening services together alongside our studies, and though it was physically exhausting, it was a true joy to see her absorb the teachings. On days when we could not study, I prayed anxiously, hoping her heart would remain steadfast.

After about five months of Bible studies, my sister-in-law finally received baptism. From that day on, she expressed her gratitude to God every single day. She also shared the news of salvation with her family, guiding her daughter and son-in-law, her mother, and her younger sister to Zion. I witnessed every step of this journey, praying alongside her, and through it, I was reminded of the passion and purity with which she embraced the new covenant gospel. Whenever we preach together, her voice full of confidence brings me new insights and realizations. I also came to understand that her past struggles—those years spent seeking blessings and wandering from place to place—made the joy of finally encountering the truth all the greater.

At the time I was sharing the word with my sister-in-law, my health had rapidly deteriorated. I could barely attend services, yet through the love of God and the church members, I gradually gained the strength to endure the pain. Above all, seeing my sister-in-law’s joy and amazement as she listened to the teachings gave me renewed energy. I was grateful that I knew God Elohim and the truth, and that I could carry out the mission of spreading the gospel. Just as the Bible says that God strengthens us when we are weak, He truly opened the path at the perfect time for both my sister-in-law and me.

Now, I feel as if I have an army of ten thousand warriors beside me. Before my sister-in-law’s mother understood the truth, she had spoken negatively about my faith—but my sister-in-law confidently responded:

“Mom, for the past thirty years, she has lived the best life among all of us. She’s truly walking the right path, so don’t speak like that.”

Her words felt like encouragement and comfort from God Himself.

Even if the process is slow, I’ve realized that true sincerity always finds its way. I will continue walking the path of sharing His love, trusting that God will open the hearts of my remaining family members at the right time.