Posts from — May 2010

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean.” –Matthew 23:27 (NIV)

“I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. You Christians are so unlike your Christ”. For Christian ears those should be the most painful words ever uttered by Gandhi, the man who would forever go down in history as the one who challenged the might of the British Empire and liberated India, its most important colony, through the doctrine of non-violence. He would have made a wonderful Christian and he himself was potentially a few short steps away from fully embracing Christ. But what stopped him from doing so was the hypocrisy he saw amongst those who claimed to be guided by Him. Instead of finding the love of Christ in His children, he found hatred. Instead of finding His children worshipping Christ, he found them worshipping wealth, power, and prestige above all else; to the point of discarding the teachings of Christ in order to satisfy their sinful urges. In Gandhi’s eyes, how could Christians, claiming to love and worship a God who embodies justice, truth, and love, support and even actively participate in a system that is based on the exploitation and degradation of other human beings who bear the image of God and whom God loves as much as His children?

Hypocrisy is lethal. It not only destroys us and our walk with God, but it can destroy and discourage others as well. The book of James asks the question, “How can pure water and filthy water come from the same spring?” Likewise, we cannot profess to stand for Christ if the source of our actions, our heart, is not aligned with His purposes. Anyone can say the right words, do the right thing, and create an air of piety and righteousness. The Pharisees of Jesus’ time certainly did so. However, if his heart has not been conformed to God, he may fool people for a time, but his heart will eventually betray the façade he has put up for the world to see. Even if he ends up fooling the world until the day he dies, he cannot hide from God’s all-seeing eyes. When we stand before Him on Judgement Day we will be asked to call to account all our actions. We cannot lie before God because He already knows what is in our hearts and knows who His children are. The only cure for hypocrisy is for one to enter into a living and close relationship with Christ, and always being humble before Him. When we are humble before Him, we lose the desire to put up an act and we know our place in relation to His. We know that we are sinners in need of a Saviour. We know that we are not saved by our outward words or actions, but by Christ entering into our hearts in order to purge us from sin and mould us into the people He wants us to be. It has been said that the true Christian lives out his faith even behind closed doors; where there are no spectators save for God Himself. May it be our prayer that we live godly lives when the crowd is absent so that we may be positive witnesses for Christ when the crowd is present.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” -Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NIV)

Ever heard of the expression, “it would be so much better without the people.”? Often we apply this expression to life as well. There are times when people can truly aggravate us. The faults of humanity, especially if we’ve been victim to those faults, are sometimes enough for us to wish that we could live life away from people altogether; content with just looking at them but never interacting with them beyond the point of absolute necessity.

Such hermit lifestyles are never truly satisfying. Eventually we being to develop a longing for human companionship and seek to have meaningful relationships with others. The reason for this is simple, man was never meant to live alone, but was created by God to live in community with one another. God Himself lives and works in community in the form of the Trinity. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit act together as one for all three existed together before time began, had a hand in the creation of the world, and work together for its redemption from sin. It shouldn’t come as a surprise then that this quality of operating in community was infused in humanity when God created us. It is also clear from this fact that God places a high value on human relationships. We should never underestimate or take for granted their importance. The truth of the matter is that we need each other in this often harsh and brutal world. We all go through the same struggles, the same hardships, and, even if we are not willing to admit it, we all share the very same faults that we accuse each other of. This is why we must encourage and build each other up; so that we may grow to be better people and better servants of God. As children of God redeemed by Christ, we have an obligation to pursue and value wholesome human relationships; never doing anything to violate something that God has wonderfully given to us. Furthermore, the Christian life is meant to be lived together in community for the Church is one body interdependent on each other and if we are to be effective witness for Christ, we need to be in meaningful relationships with others so that we may show God’s love to everyone and tell them about His desire to set every human being free from the oppression of sin so that they may enter into a beautiful relationship with Him. Though life will come with many struggles and battles, know that we never fight alone. All of us fight as a team and with God on the side of His children, we will be able to overcome any obstacle.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.”-Genesis 1:31 (NIV)

Even from a very young age, I could never buy into the whole notion of the universe coming into existence as the result of a random cosmological event. How could its immense vastness, its marvellous complexity, and its breathtaking beauty, be the result of random chance? There has to be a purpose behind it all. Everything, from the simplest table to the most complex computer, has a maker. The parts aren’t simply lying there until they somehow randomly come together without any external assistance. There is a hand which deliberately chooses and determines which part goes where so that the finished product may fulfil its intended purpose.

When we see the sorry state the world is in, and how we as humans seem to partake more towards its destruction than its restoration, it is easy to ask the question, “Why has God created the world?” Has He created it in such a way as to be imperfect? Not at all! The imperfections in creation and in humanity are not the result of God’s incompetence, but of human disobedience. How could God, who is the source of all that is good, pure, and just, wish to create an imperfect universe? It would go against His nature. Despite the reality of the fallen state of the world, the original beauty of God’s creation still shines through. Everything from the birds of the air, to the fish of the sea, reflects God as our peerless and matchless Creator. He has also created a beautiful order in His creation. Everything depends on each other and if any aspect of the creation is completely wiped out, or fails in its God-given processes, an entire ecosystem can be jeopardized. Even in sinful humanity we can see evidence of the beauty God has bestowed upon us as the crowing glory of His handiwork. There is something about the order and aesthetics of the human form, the brilliance and ingenuity of the human mind, and the intensity and depth of the human heart and soul that is sublime beyond words.  All of us as humans bear the image of God, and though that image may be tainted by sin, aspects of it can still be seen. God’s creation is meant to draw people closer to the Creator and closer to the right worship of Him. This I have experienced personally. In the past, I used to seriously question God and wondered whether He was even out there, listening to me, watching over me, and always loving me. Yet whenever I looked up into a clear blue sky, or walked through a peaceful forest, or gazed into the eyes of a fellow human being, I have always been left with the conclusion that there has to be a God behind all this beauty. Only the foolish and stubborn would see the beauty of creation and say there is no God. Regardless of its flaws and faults, the world and creation in general is beautiful and is meant to be enjoyed. Therefore, while we are called as God’s children to be a part of His mission to redeem the world from sin, we should also remember to look at the beauty around us and praise God knowing, to quote the eighteenth century German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, that His“…works, sublime, eternal, are fair as on the primal day.”

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” -1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

When everything seems to be going our way, when all seems to be right with the world, it is easy to thank God and praise Him. We all love it when someone buys us a nice present right? Hence our gratitude when God blesses us. However, when trials and suffering come along our path, we want nothing to do with God. We hold Him responsible for our misfortune and see Him as a cruel saboteur deliberately trying to deprive us of any happiness that we can find in this life. Thanking Him in our circumstances is the last thing on our mind! Only after things return to a relative calm do we thank and praise God for brining us back into a state of peace.

How wrong we are in our attitudes! If our faith is based on the wonderful things we get from God, then our faith is like a decaying house waiting for the catalyst that will tear it down. God is not the source of suffering because all good things come from God. Yet because of the fallen state of the world, which was the direct result of man’s disobedience, suffering exists. God does not allow suffering into our lives because He is spiteful or gets some sadistic pleasure out of it. He allows it because suffering refines character. Just as how metal needs to be bent and twisted in order to create a beautiful finished product, so to must man give thanks in his trials knowing that His Heavenly Father loves him, is in control, and has allowed suffering to befall him in order to turn him into a beautiful person that will be a beacon of hope, love, and life in this dark world. If we go through suffering kicking and screaming and refusing to be moulded by our Welder’s hands, then we have missed out on a valuable time for growth in our faith and we end up hindering the good and perfect redemptive work that God has planned for our lives. Instead of wallowing in self-pity in the midst of our darkest hour and instead of forgetting God, let us give thanks to Him and let us use this opportunity to hold our Father’s hand ever so tightly and seek to learn from Him and understand what He is trying to teach us; always keeping in mind that He has promised to preserve us and lead us into a beautiful future if we continue to hold onto Him.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.” -Psalm 126:5-6 (NIV)

Sometimes, pursuing what is right and just is painful. Perhaps we have been confounded by the corruption and injustice in the world when we have tried the further the call of righteousness and truth. Or maybe, despite all our prayers and efforts, we spend much time in tears as we try to bring a friend or relative out of their destructive behaviours with little to no sign of success. While we as Christians are called to be lights in a dark world, we must confess it can be an awfully painful calling. It is no wonder that the Bible says that those who love much also suffer much.

Consider Christ for a moment. While He was conducting His ministry here on Earth, He had much to weep about. He loved His creation, loved His people. So much so that He personally came down to Earth so that He might save the world from its self-inflicted degeneration and tell us that there is hope for redemption if only we believe and place our trust in Him. Yet people refused to believe Him. It is no wonder then that Jesus, despite His loving efforts to reconcile all to Him, wept over Jerusalem when He encountered the stubbornness and hardness of heart in that city towards His message. While He heard the mocking voices of the crowds as He endured the agony of the cross, it would have pained Him to know that the people in the crowds were not aware that He was dying for them and their salvation from their sins; hence His cry “Father forgive them! For they do not know what they doing!” But he who sows in tears, reaps with songs of joy, and imagine the joy of the face of Christ when someone truly desires to be reconciled to Him by accepting His redemptive sacrifice. The tears and the pain would have been worth it! Likewise, when we grieve that the cause of redemption, purity, and truth, is not being fulfilled, we should persevere through the tears and continue to be faithful to God; asking Him for the strength and wisdom to carry on. With the strength and peace that only God can give, we can then look forward to the hope of singing songs of joy when all will be restored.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

“Ah, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “Now, I have put my words in your mouth.” –Jeremiah 1:6-9 (NIV)

Saying and doing the right thing is often hard for us as humans. Even when we want to comfort with our actions or our words, in hopes that it would help the other person, it sometimes manifests itself in the wrong way and the intended recipient of our sentiments leaves more wounded than uplifted. At other times, when we really need to stand up and speak what is true and right, we become tongue-tied and intimidated by people who seem to be more powerful than us and could easily dismiss anything of the truth. It would seem that if we aren’t saying negative things, however well-intentioned, we aren’t saying anything at all when it really counts!

The prophet Jeremiah, like Moses centuries before him, also had speech troubles. It is interesting that Jeremiah refers to himself as a child when it comes to this area. If anyone has been around children, they would know that a child often says nonsensical things when expressing himself. This is why children have to be taught by their parents and teachers to speak well and eloquently. Likewise, as His children, God instructs us on how to use our tongues. Moses and Jeremiah never spoke the way they did because of their own abilities. It is clear that they had no ability to do so. But because they walked closely with God and wanted to be taught by Him, God took control of their tongues and enabled them to speak boldly before kings and accomplish great things for His glory. When we feel that our words will be inadequate or feel too intimidated by those around us to speak up, we should ask God for the wisdom and strength to say what is right and He will guide our words in such a way as to fulfill His pure, just, and perfect will. Like children who try to imitate the speech of their parents, our goal is to speak like our heavenly Father. In our own limited capacity we cannot do it. But with Christ’s enabling and His constant refining as a result of His redemptive work in our lives, we can speak with boldness and discernment in any situation. At times, the words which Christ speaks through us may not necessarily be popular with the crowd. But Christ can only speak for justice, truth, and redemption in a fallen world, and because He is the preserver and protector of all these things, He will safeguard the speaker of these things as well.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” -Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)

Human feelings are often unpredictable and the human heart is often whimsical. One day we may choose to act in kindness and generosity because we feel like it. However, because of circumstances along the way, we could refuse to keep acting in such a manner because we are not in the mood to do so; choosing instead to act in coldness and selfishness towards others. We react to the world around us and, because this world and everything in it is never constant and always fleeting, our feelings are subject to change as well. That is why the cliché to “follow your heart”, or to “do what your heart tells you”, is a lie. Following one’s heart, without Christ residing in it, often leads one to making foolish and destructive decisions because such decisions are based on human feelings which often change and act contrary to one another.

Thankfully, God is not human. It would be terrible and brutal world if He was. Consider the promise He made before Noah to never flood the Earth again in the manner He had done in order to purge sin from His creation. Yet, humanity has continued to insult and grieve God because of their persistence in continuing in their depravity. In my own human understanding, I would have broken my promise and have the Earth flooded all over again so that they would pay for their insolence. But thankfully, God is not human. He always upholds His promises, evident in the fact that the world hasn’t been visited again by the calamity that struck the Earth in Noah’s time. We as humans can also rest in the assurance that God’s love is eternal. Despite our failings and our constant grieving of His spirit, He stays by us, loves us, and works for the sanctification of His children and the world’s redemption. God’s love never tires when humanity seems to mock and spit on Him, He never throws His hands up in the air and says “I give up!” when it becomes hard to love the unlovable, as we might be when faced with similar circumstances. In a fluid and ever-changing world, how wonderful it is indeed to have your trust placed in a God who never changes. Who remains, and continues to remain, loving, gracious, and just in all His dealings towards His creation.

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.