As Far As The East Is From The West

While conducting Scripture distributions at the University of Georgia campus recently, Gideons gave a New Testament to a student named Xiaomin. A Gideon then shared John 3:16, printed in Chinese, Xiaomin’s native language.

The student read the verse aloud, and then translated it back into English. After reading the plan of salvation verses in the back of the New Testament, Xiaomin made a confession of his sins and prayed to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Xiaomin then expressed a concern. He wondered if memories of his past sins would come back to trouble him. The Gideon responded by sharing the following verse:

“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” — Psalm 103:11-12 (ESV)

Then the Gideon asked Xiaomin, “If the God who created everything and who knows the past, present and future is willing to forget your sins, why shouldn’t you forgive yourself?”

That verse resounded in Xiaomin’s heart. He smiled and replied that he definitely understood the phrase, “as far as the east is from the west,” as he was a geography student.

We praise God for Xiaomin’s decision to follow Jesus.