On September 21, Rev. Xu Xiaohong, chairperson of the national TSPM, delivered a sermon at the Sunday worship service of Holy Trinity Cathedral in Shanghai. Preaching from 2 Chronicles 19 and reflecting on the life of King Jehoshaphat of Judah, he shared a message titled "Jehoshaphat's Principles of Conduct."
Rev. Xu outlined three guiding principles from Jehoshaphat's example—acting with caution, loyalty, and courage—encouraging the congregation to apply these lessons not only in their personal lives and work but also in their service to the nation and society.
Rev. Xu noted that Jehoshaphat admonished the judges to "act with caution," reminding them that their judgments were "not for men, but for the Lord God." The core of this exhortation was the call to prioritize the fear of the Lord. Quoting from Proverbs and Colossians, he emphasized that Christians do not act for themselves but for the risen Lord. Therefore, when facing challenges, believers must calm their hearts and plan carefully rather than act on impulse.
The second principle, he said, is to "act with loyalty and honesty." Rev. Xu explained that loyalty and honesty are inseparable, like two sides of the same coin. He cited the ancient Chinese story of Song dynasty scholar-official Sima Guang selling his horse to highlight the value of honesty and drew a parallel between the story of Zhong Wuyan, an unattractive woman of Qi who risked her life to admonish the king, and the biblical account of Esther, praising their loyalty and devotion to their people and country. He pointed out that such loyalty resonates with the core socialist values of "honesty and kindness" and reflects the attitude Christians should embody toward both God and others.
The third principle, "act with courage," was emphasized by Rev. Xu as decisiveness rooted in prudence and loyalty rather than recklessness. Referring to God's exhortation to Joshua, "Be strong and courageous," he stressed the importance of seizing fleeting opportunities at decisive moments. He also shared the historical example of Chai Rong, Emperor Shizong of the Later Zhou Dynasty, who inspired his troops and struck fear into his enemies through his courage, noting that true courage rests on trust in one's team and personal preparedness. Concluding with Jesus' parable of the Bags of Gold, Rev. Xu warned the congregation not to be timid like the servant who buried his gold in the ground, appearing safe yet ultimately betraying the gift and forfeiting his loyalty to the Lord.
Originally published by the Gospel Times
- Edited by Karen Luo and translated by Poppy Chan
