Growing in Knowledge, Acting in Love
By Fernando Bochio
If God wants you, He will find you.
We think we can hide from His embrace, but like a dog hunting for a buried bone, so the “Hound of Heaven” will hunt down those He loves. This is what happened to Vera, one of our listeners to the radio ministry of Insight for Living Brazil, Razão para Viver. Vera’s testimony is more than a statement of faith; it’s a challenge to all of us to unleash on those we love the message of the love of God.
“I came from a Catholic family and lived on a farm. We would often tune the radio to Harvest Radio. Seven o’clock, the program Razão para Viver would start. My older sister would turn to a different station.
After I had a family and a home of my own, then I got my own radio. Every day then, I could listen to the program. The program was food for me. I increased my Bible knowledge and understanding of the Word.
As I was listening to Razão para Viver one day, I made the decision. I would often kneel and pray during the program. But this day, I surrendered my life to Jesus at the end of the program. I also decided to study and follow the Word and meet with other believers.
When I get up, before I go anywhere, even before I start making coffee, I turn on the radio. When I listen to Christian radio, my husband and children also hear.”
—Vera from Ceará (translated from Portuguese)
The apostle Paul wrote that “knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” (1 Corinthians 8:1 NIV). We who serve in the ministry of Razão para Viver are grateful that our efforts increased Vera’s “Bible knowledge and understanding of the Word.” But we are overjoyed that our ministry does more than answer theological questions—it helps to transform hearts. While our messages on the radio led Vera to a saving relationship with Christ and deepened her understanding of the faith, they also challenged her to live out her faith in love.
Since Vera came to faith in Christ, she has put her knowledge into action by sharing with her family and friends the new life she found in Christ. Through this one faithful woman, Vera’s husband, her son, her brother-in-law, her niece, her nephew, and two of her friends have all placed their faith in Christ!
This is what love can do. This is what biblical knowledge translated into action should do. This is what Insight for Living Brazil does—helps our listeners know and live the truth.
Yes, if God wants you, He will find you. And He will use whatever means available to do so. At Insight for Living Brazil, we want to be ready.
Copyright © 2011 by Insight for Living.
About the author
Fernando Bochio
Fernando Bochio serves as pastor of Insight for Living Brazil, where he translates and voices the Portuguese-language Insight for Living program, Razão para Viver. Fernando served as a Baptist minister and theology lecturer for more than 35 years in Brazil.
