Ephesians 2:8-9 says" For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast."
The above is one of my favourite verses and I used to take great comfort in it. However, in our bible study last night I learned there is more to it. Now that we have been justified through faith, we now live in Christ and Christ lives in us.
Galatians 2:19-20: "For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
Hence, as Christians, although we are no longer condemned by the law, if we live as Christ lives in us, we will also be upholding God's law.
The key difference is this: living under the law, we actually live quite hypocritically, in the sense that we think all is good if we toe the line. However, living in the Spirit requires us to live for God. It is not about just toeing the line anymore, but what is in the heart is just as important. Just the thought of committing sin is as bad as having committed it.
Showing posts with label Bible. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible. Show all posts
Monday, March 23, 2015
A Christian's view regarding retribution
Buddhists believe in karma. According to one definition, karma is "action, seen as bringing upon oneself inevitable results, good or bad, either in this life or in a reincarnation", or "the cosmic principle according to which each person is rewarded or punished in one incarnation according to that person's deeds in the previous incarnation."
Buddhism teaches that our actions result in retribution or reward, either in this life or in the next. If we do bad, something bad will happen to us. If we do good, we will be rewarded with something good.
The bible does not tell us anything about karma. Jesus himself tells us not to seek revenge, but to "turn the other cheek". Jesus tells us to forgive others when they sin against us. And it is not just outward action that constitutes sin against God, but even what is in our heart can be held against us, in the eyes of God.
The Apostle Paul tells us not to take revenge but to leave room for God's wrath. God's wrath is different from karma. There is no retribution or reward system, but instead all our actions will be judged on the Judgement Day. The following versus cover what I have said above.
Matt 5:38-40
You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.
Matt 6:14-15
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Matt 5: 21-22
You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.
Rom 12:19
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
John 5:28-29
Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out - those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.
Rev 20:12-13
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done.
You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.
Matt 6:14-15
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Matt 5: 21-22
You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.
Rom 12:19
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
John 5:28-29
Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out - those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.
Rev 20:12-13
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Thy will be done
The one part of the Lord's prayer that intrigued me today was: "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done".
An average human being wants everything his way. We are happy when things go right; when our children behave the way we want them to; or when our spouse behaves exactly the way we expect them to. We are happy when strangers follow all the rules of courtesy when we are present. We are happy when service providers render good service to us. However, as soon as things run contrary to our expectations, we become a different animal. A prayerful Christian might start to pray for OTHERS to change and become "good". We seldom think that it is we ourselves who need to change.
If we truly pray for God's will to be done, I think it is useful to look inwards. People around us will always fall short of perfection. If we are able to accept them for who and what they are, then we will begin to understand what we are praying for, and we will no longer be a sweet Christian when things go well, and an ugly sinner when the going gets ugly.
An average human being wants everything his way. We are happy when things go right; when our children behave the way we want them to; or when our spouse behaves exactly the way we expect them to. We are happy when strangers follow all the rules of courtesy when we are present. We are happy when service providers render good service to us. However, as soon as things run contrary to our expectations, we become a different animal. A prayerful Christian might start to pray for OTHERS to change and become "good". We seldom think that it is we ourselves who need to change.
If we truly pray for God's will to be done, I think it is useful to look inwards. People around us will always fall short of perfection. If we are able to accept them for who and what they are, then we will begin to understand what we are praying for, and we will no longer be a sweet Christian when things go well, and an ugly sinner when the going gets ugly.
Monday, September 9, 2013
The Tower of Babel
Genesis 11:4 says: "Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” " By itself there seems nothing wrong with that declaration.
However, God saw differently. In Gen 11:6 "The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them." Again, by itself this verse doesn't seem to contain any malicious intent on what man is trying to do.
In the context of what the gospel teaches, God wants us to be one body in Christ, not one body without Christ. By ourselves, through science, human beings can collectively do wonders. Just think how much the internet has accelerated human capacity to gather, and disseminate knowledge almost instantly. It is as if mankind is once more able to gather together in one place (via the internet) and virtually build anything the human mind can imagine. Without God in the picture, this is dangerous. Many decades ago, we already have enough nuclear power to destroy the whole world. Now, through breakthroughs in genetic engineering, man may soon be able to clone another human being, or "create" new species of animals.
The more we advance scientifically, the more we are led to believe that we can do life without God or that there is no God. Yet all the advances of science cannot solve any of the basic problems that have prevailed since the dawn of time: wars, hungers, diseases, and social ills. People need God and God knows that. So it makes perfect sense to me now that in Genesis 11:6, God took a preemptive strike by confusing the people with different languages as they were trying to build the Tower of Babel . From then on they stopped building the tower and they scattered all over the earth.
The good news is, it was never God's intent to let us be perpetually scattered. God wants us to be united in Christ. Romans 12:5 says "... so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."
However, God saw differently. In Gen 11:6 "The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them." Again, by itself this verse doesn't seem to contain any malicious intent on what man is trying to do.
In the context of what the gospel teaches, God wants us to be one body in Christ, not one body without Christ. By ourselves, through science, human beings can collectively do wonders. Just think how much the internet has accelerated human capacity to gather, and disseminate knowledge almost instantly. It is as if mankind is once more able to gather together in one place (via the internet) and virtually build anything the human mind can imagine. Without God in the picture, this is dangerous. Many decades ago, we already have enough nuclear power to destroy the whole world. Now, through breakthroughs in genetic engineering, man may soon be able to clone another human being, or "create" new species of animals.
The more we advance scientifically, the more we are led to believe that we can do life without God or that there is no God. Yet all the advances of science cannot solve any of the basic problems that have prevailed since the dawn of time: wars, hungers, diseases, and social ills. People need God and God knows that. So it makes perfect sense to me now that in Genesis 11:6, God took a preemptive strike by confusing the people with different languages as they were trying to build the Tower of Babel . From then on they stopped building the tower and they scattered all over the earth.
The good news is, it was never God's intent to let us be perpetually scattered. God wants us to be united in Christ. Romans 12:5 says "... so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."
Sunday, September 1, 2013
My Father's house has many rooms
In the gospel of John, Chapter 14 verses 2-3, Jesus said, "My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
I once heard a child asking his parents how he is going to find them when they all die and go to heaven. Heaven must be such a big place that it will take forever to locate all your loved ones! Fortunately for us believers, we are not going to a strange new place, but to Jesus' own dwelling place in heaven. Jesus is there to prepare a place for us. What a comforting thought!
I once heard a child asking his parents how he is going to find them when they all die and go to heaven. Heaven must be such a big place that it will take forever to locate all your loved ones! Fortunately for us believers, we are not going to a strange new place, but to Jesus' own dwelling place in heaven. Jesus is there to prepare a place for us. What a comforting thought!
Thursday, August 1, 2013
A purpose-driven life
Jeremiah 1:5 says:
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
When we set out to create something, we usually have in mind what we want to do. If it is a painting, an artist will have a mental picture of what he wants to paint. If it is a designer, he will have pre-conceived the result he wants to achieve. Even before I became a parent, I had in mind what I hoped for my children to be like. I wanted them to love one another, to respect their elders, to get along well with others, etc.
It is therefore not inconceivable that God the Creator knew us before we were even formed in the womb. If we believe that our life originates from God, then we must also believe that our life has a purpose. One does not create something that is of no purpose or value.
I would like to think that everyone of us has a designated purpose. We just have to be aware of what that purpose is and then do our best at what we have been set apart for, all to the glory of God.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
When we set out to create something, we usually have in mind what we want to do. If it is a painting, an artist will have a mental picture of what he wants to paint. If it is a designer, he will have pre-conceived the result he wants to achieve. Even before I became a parent, I had in mind what I hoped for my children to be like. I wanted them to love one another, to respect their elders, to get along well with others, etc.
It is therefore not inconceivable that God the Creator knew us before we were even formed in the womb. If we believe that our life originates from God, then we must also believe that our life has a purpose. One does not create something that is of no purpose or value.
I would like to think that everyone of us has a designated purpose. We just have to be aware of what that purpose is and then do our best at what we have been set apart for, all to the glory of God.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Blessed are the peacemakers
I was thinking over this today. Why are peacemakers called blessed? After all, peacemakers actually run into a lot of personal attacks while trying to get two opposing sides to see eye to eye. Peacemakers can be accused of taking sides. Or, they are accused of not really understanding the problem at hand. So what blessing is bestowed upon the peacemakers?
In the Bible, in Matthew 5:9, Jesus said "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God". Jesus did not say the peacemakers shall receive this or that. In the other blessings, Jesus said "...theirs is the kingdom of heaven", "...they will be comforted, "...they will inherit the earth", "...they will be filled", "...they will be shown mercy", "..they will see God".
Peacemakers, on the other hand, will be called children of God. The reward of peacemakers is not something material or spiritual. It is a recognition that they are children of God.
THE BEATITUDES
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
In the Bible, in Matthew 5:9, Jesus said "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God". Jesus did not say the peacemakers shall receive this or that. In the other blessings, Jesus said "...theirs is the kingdom of heaven", "...they will be comforted, "...they will inherit the earth", "...they will be filled", "...they will be shown mercy", "..they will see God".
Peacemakers, on the other hand, will be called children of God. The reward of peacemakers is not something material or spiritual. It is a recognition that they are children of God.
THE BEATITUDES
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
What it really means to love Christ
Who do you think of when you try to imagine what a Christ-loving person is really like? What does it really mean to love Jesus? In some of the contemporary Christian songs (e.g. In Moments Like This, Lord I Give You My Heart, Draw Me Close To You, and Hear These Praises (Love you so much)), the lyrics sound like a person singing for his or her lover. This can lead one to think that to love Christ is to be in love with Christ.
Here is what Christ himself says about loving him. It is so important to get it right that he mentioned it several times in John 14. In this chapter, Jesus was comforting his disciples, knowing that he will soon be leaving them (to be crucified).
John 14:15: (Jesus said) "If you love Me, keep My commandments"
John 14:21: "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me....."
John 14:24: "He who does not love Me does not keep My words ....."
From the above, Jesus clearly says that loving him is not just about saying "I love you". It is about keeping his commandments. He emphasized that to his disciples several times during the same session. Clearly, a person who loves Christ is a person who has Christ's commandments and keeps them. It is not a person who adorns images of Christ all over the place, who sings romantic love songs to his Saviour, and who has that love-struck look in his face.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Christian love - is it boundless?
The following verse is often quoted about loving other people:
Matthew 5:43-44: You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
The Message bible translates it this way:
So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.
Matthew 5:43-44: You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Christians are taught about unconditional love, sacrificial love, turning the other cheek, love is patient, love is kind, etc...... This is ingrained so much that we see Christians all over the world failing to take a stand when Christians are under attack for their belief. We also see charitable acts of Christians being blatantly taken advantage of (love is blind?).
The other day I came across this in Philippians 1:9-11 (NIV):
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
The Message bible translates it this way:
So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.
So, is Christian love boundless? It is my belief that Christian love is indeed boundless and free. However, it is important that the CARRYING OUT of Christian love should be guided and not be blind emotion. Inwardly, the Christian himself must be pure, blameless, and be filled with the fruit of the spirit in the way he loves.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Unbelievable true love
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 says "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs."
Here is a video clip I've just watched, shared by a friend in Facebook. It is about a girl who had dated a guy for 10 months before he met with an accident that left him brain damaged and unable to fend for himself. Earlier, he had plans to marry her. So despite his condition, she got married to him. See true love in action: http://www.godvine.com/The-Story-of-Ian-and-Larissa-Shows-Unbelievable-True-Love-1518.html
Think: is true love only to be demonstrated by extreme adversity? I don't think so. IF the man in the video had fully recovered from his accident, I bet that the woman would still be demonstrating true love to her man, simply because she is capable of such love. The video would not have been made then. And somewhere in the world, this one couple would be living a life of unbelievable true love.
Most of us are fortunate enough not to be put through such a test. Yet without this difficult test, many already fail before sitting for the "exam"! Paraphrasing 1 Cor 13:4-7 in the negative, this is what is happening in many of today's failed or frail marriages:
Non-true love is impatient, non-true love is unkind. It envies, it boasts, it is proud. It dishonors others, it is self-seeking, it is easily angered, it keeps records of wrongs.
(You don't need to marry a quadriplegic to show true love to the one you marry!)
Here is a video clip I've just watched, shared by a friend in Facebook. It is about a girl who had dated a guy for 10 months before he met with an accident that left him brain damaged and unable to fend for himself. Earlier, he had plans to marry her. So despite his condition, she got married to him. See true love in action: http://www.godvine.com/The-Story-of-Ian-and-Larissa-Shows-Unbelievable-True-Love-1518.html
Think: is true love only to be demonstrated by extreme adversity? I don't think so. IF the man in the video had fully recovered from his accident, I bet that the woman would still be demonstrating true love to her man, simply because she is capable of such love. The video would not have been made then. And somewhere in the world, this one couple would be living a life of unbelievable true love.
Most of us are fortunate enough not to be put through such a test. Yet without this difficult test, many already fail before sitting for the "exam"! Paraphrasing 1 Cor 13:4-7 in the negative, this is what is happening in many of today's failed or frail marriages:
Non-true love is impatient, non-true love is unkind. It envies, it boasts, it is proud. It dishonors others, it is self-seeking, it is easily angered, it keeps records of wrongs.
(You don't need to marry a quadriplegic to show true love to the one you marry!)
Saturday, April 7, 2012
"Feel good" stories vs reality check
There are many "feel good" articles on the internet that inspire the best in each of us. It can be a story of someone who shows great kindness to a stranger and get richly blessed in return. Or it can be about a great sacrifice, a heroic act, or an act of mercy or unconditional love. The examples are many and we feel good reading about it. We forward it to other people to spread the "feel good" feeling around.
What happens in real life is quite different from the world we idealize. A great act of kindness may elicit just a simple word of thanks and not the shower of blessings we expect to follow. Many acts of love go unacknowledged or unappreciated; some even get rejected in contempt. That's real life. If you have never experienced disappointment, or if your life resembles the "feel good" stories all the time, you may have to get out of your gilded cage.
However, not getting an immediate positive response should not discourage us from doing good deeds. In fact, we are told not to let our good deeds to be seen by others. The Bible has this to say in Matthew 6:1-4.
"Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
What happens in real life is quite different from the world we idealize. A great act of kindness may elicit just a simple word of thanks and not the shower of blessings we expect to follow. Many acts of love go unacknowledged or unappreciated; some even get rejected in contempt. That's real life. If you have never experienced disappointment, or if your life resembles the "feel good" stories all the time, you may have to get out of your gilded cage.
However, not getting an immediate positive response should not discourage us from doing good deeds. In fact, we are told not to let our good deeds to be seen by others. The Bible has this to say in Matthew 6:1-4.
"Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
Saturday, December 17, 2011
The Magi and manger message
On a Christmas card that depicts the Magi are the words "Wise men still seek Him." What an interesting thought! The birth of Christ is replayed year after year, but the message never grows old or irrelevant.
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, there was no room to be found in the inn. Thus He was born in a lowly manger. Today Jesus is alive and He seeks a room again - in your heart. This reminds me of a Sunday school song I used to sing as a little boy. It goes like this:.
"No room for the Baby in Bethlehem's inn,
Only a cattle shed!
No room on this earth for the dear Son of God,
Nowhere to lay His head!
Only a cross did they give to my Lord,
Only a borrowed tomb!
Today He is seeking a place in your heart,
Will you still say to Him - no room?
Sunday, December 11, 2011
A Christmas message
John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
I have always wondered how can we tell how much God loves us. That's just what the Bible says, isn't it? Is the love of God only a mantra to be repeated mindlessly to convince ourselves?
There is one way to know the depth of God's love. As a parent, I know. You see, I love my children very much. I love them so much that I would do anything for them, unless it is something that will bring hurt to them eventually. I would willingly bear their pain for them, if there is any way to do so. And so it is with God's love. God so loved the world, that He sacrificed His only begotten Son, in order to save us from eternal damnation.
I used to enjoy the tradition of Christmas: the carols, the Christmas tree, the bright and colourful lights, the Christmas dinner, etc. As years passed, celebrating Christmas has become less and less of an exciting event. Perhaps it is time for all of us to awaken to the true meaning of why we are celebrating Christmas. It is a time to remember God's love by spreading it around, remembering people we seldom see (those far away), and seeing people we seldom notice (the lonely and the needy).
I have always wondered how can we tell how much God loves us. That's just what the Bible says, isn't it? Is the love of God only a mantra to be repeated mindlessly to convince ourselves?
There is one way to know the depth of God's love. As a parent, I know. You see, I love my children very much. I love them so much that I would do anything for them, unless it is something that will bring hurt to them eventually. I would willingly bear their pain for them, if there is any way to do so. And so it is with God's love. God so loved the world, that He sacrificed His only begotten Son, in order to save us from eternal damnation.
I used to enjoy the tradition of Christmas: the carols, the Christmas tree, the bright and colourful lights, the Christmas dinner, etc. As years passed, celebrating Christmas has become less and less of an exciting event. Perhaps it is time for all of us to awaken to the true meaning of why we are celebrating Christmas. It is a time to remember God's love by spreading it around, remembering people we seldom see (those far away), and seeing people we seldom notice (the lonely and the needy).
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Workplace ministry
The place where we work is the place that we come into most contact with people. It is the place where our life is laid bare to the world around us. What we say or do reflects the kind of person we are: a matured disciple of Christ, or a regular worldly person who otherwise goes to church once a week.
James 3:14-16 says: "But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice." In the highly stressed work environment today, people tend to talk and share their grievances. As a Christian we can be easily caught up in this.
If a Christian wants to be an angel in a hellish workplace, he has to show godly wisdom. Continuing from the verses above, James says in verses 17-18: "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness."
James 3:14-16 says: "But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice." In the highly stressed work environment today, people tend to talk and share their grievances. As a Christian we can be easily caught up in this.
If a Christian wants to be an angel in a hellish workplace, he has to show godly wisdom. Continuing from the verses above, James says in verses 17-18: "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness."
The godly wise
James 3:13 says: "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom."
I have been following a 12-day reading plan on wisdom. When I came across this verse, at first it did not mean much to me. On that day the verse kept turning over and over in my mind. Then it became crystal clear.
Who is wise and understanding among you? We usually think of them as people we turn to for advice. Many people also turn to professional counselors - people with a PhD in Psychology - when faced with problems in marriage, in children, or in dealing with depression. James has this to say: let the wise demonstrate their wisdom by their good life and by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
Perhaps while seeking wisdom and advice from someone, you are inundated with lots of opinion instead. Run for your life! Proverbs 18:2 has this to say: "Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions."
I have been following a 12-day reading plan on wisdom. When I came across this verse, at first it did not mean much to me. On that day the verse kept turning over and over in my mind. Then it became crystal clear.
Who is wise and understanding among you? We usually think of them as people we turn to for advice. Many people also turn to professional counselors - people with a PhD in Psychology - when faced with problems in marriage, in children, or in dealing with depression. James has this to say: let the wise demonstrate their wisdom by their good life and by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
Perhaps while seeking wisdom and advice from someone, you are inundated with lots of opinion instead. Run for your life! Proverbs 18:2 has this to say: "Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions."
Monday, October 31, 2011
Kindness to others
In Matthew 25:40 (in the parable of the sheep and the goats), The Lord says: "...Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
This verse speaks of the deep of love of God for even the least of his subjects. I love my mother very much. I feel indebted to anyone who extends a helping hand to her in her old age. For example, I feel indebted to my niece who regularly makes sure she has the right medicine. The more we love a person, the more we are touched when another person shows kindness to our loved one.
Everyone should always show kindness, respect, and love to his or her spouse's parent. In this way, he or she will touch the heart and earn the gratitude and indebtedness of the spouse. Well-brought up children learn this from young. I stopped at a coffee shop yesterday and ordered a coffee. After I was billed, I asked the person about his father (he didn't know me), and immediately he insisted on giving me discount on the coffee. The young man left a positive impression on me. Even though he did not know me, he did for me what his father would have done.
This verse speaks of the deep of love of God for even the least of his subjects. I love my mother very much. I feel indebted to anyone who extends a helping hand to her in her old age. For example, I feel indebted to my niece who regularly makes sure she has the right medicine. The more we love a person, the more we are touched when another person shows kindness to our loved one.
Everyone should always show kindness, respect, and love to his or her spouse's parent. In this way, he or she will touch the heart and earn the gratitude and indebtedness of the spouse. Well-brought up children learn this from young. I stopped at a coffee shop yesterday and ordered a coffee. After I was billed, I asked the person about his father (he didn't know me), and immediately he insisted on giving me discount on the coffee. The young man left a positive impression on me. Even though he did not know me, he did for me what his father would have done.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
The profound mystery
Ephesians 5:31-33 (NIV) says "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery — but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband."
In trying to understand more about what this passage says, I looked at The Message translation. It says "And this is why a man leaves father and mother and cherishes his wife. No longer two, they become "one flesh." This is a huge mystery, and I don't pretend to understand it all. What is clearest to me is the way Christ treats the church. And this provides a good picture of how each husband is to treat his wife, loving himself in loving her, and how each wife is to honor her husband."
This is a wonderful depiction of God's relationship with us. Unlike parental love which is held togther by blood ties, spousal love is special. A man meets a woman; by falling in love, he chooses her. Then out of pure love he is willing to sacrifice anything for her. It is this love that prevents him from breaking his vow to love and be constantly united with his wife. This "mystery" must be about the special relationship that God has with us, exemplified by the relationship between a man and his wife. That is why marriage is a holy union. The ideal marital relationship is one that is described in the above passage of Ephesians.
In trying to understand more about what this passage says, I looked at The Message translation. It says "And this is why a man leaves father and mother and cherishes his wife. No longer two, they become "one flesh." This is a huge mystery, and I don't pretend to understand it all. What is clearest to me is the way Christ treats the church. And this provides a good picture of how each husband is to treat his wife, loving himself in loving her, and how each wife is to honor her husband."
This is a wonderful depiction of God's relationship with us. Unlike parental love which is held togther by blood ties, spousal love is special. A man meets a woman; by falling in love, he chooses her. Then out of pure love he is willing to sacrifice anything for her. It is this love that prevents him from breaking his vow to love and be constantly united with his wife. This "mystery" must be about the special relationship that God has with us, exemplified by the relationship between a man and his wife. That is why marriage is a holy union. The ideal marital relationship is one that is described in the above passage of Ephesians.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
What did Christ look like?
I came across this interesting description in a book compiled by Eberhard Arnold, a 19th century theologian. It was from a letter written by Clement (a theologian) to the Corinthians in 94 A.D.
"He is like a small child, like a weak root in poor soil. He has no comeliness or glory. We saw him. He had neither comeliness nor beauty. His form was despised. It was uglier than the human form usually is... He was despised; he was disregarded. He bears our sins. For our sakes he is afflicted. We regarded him as one afflicted, and bruised and martyred. But it is for our sins that he was wounded, it is for our iniquities that he was bruised. He was under punishment that we might have peace. By his stripes we were healed. he did not open his mouth while he was abused. Like a sheep he was led to slaughter, and as a lamb he was dumb under the hand of his shearer, he did not open his mouth.... because of the sins of my people did he come to his death...he took upon himself the sins of many, and he was delivered up because of their sins.
"And again Christ himself says:
"But I am a worm and not a man, mocked and despised by the people. All who saw me scorned me, they muttered with their lips and shook their heads, "He hoped in the Lord, let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he has delight in him." "
I'll leave it to the reader to interpret this image of Christ for himself. Bear in mind that the Old Testament mention that the coming Messiah would have no stately form or majesty.
"He is like a small child, like a weak root in poor soil. He has no comeliness or glory. We saw him. He had neither comeliness nor beauty. His form was despised. It was uglier than the human form usually is... He was despised; he was disregarded. He bears our sins. For our sakes he is afflicted. We regarded him as one afflicted, and bruised and martyred. But it is for our sins that he was wounded, it is for our iniquities that he was bruised. He was under punishment that we might have peace. By his stripes we were healed. he did not open his mouth while he was abused. Like a sheep he was led to slaughter, and as a lamb he was dumb under the hand of his shearer, he did not open his mouth.... because of the sins of my people did he come to his death...he took upon himself the sins of many, and he was delivered up because of their sins.
"And again Christ himself says:
"But I am a worm and not a man, mocked and despised by the people. All who saw me scorned me, they muttered with their lips and shook their heads, "He hoped in the Lord, let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he has delight in him." "
I'll leave it to the reader to interpret this image of Christ for himself. Bear in mind that the Old Testament mention that the coming Messiah would have no stately form or majesty.
Monday, November 1, 2010
The Christian wife
I knew it was in the Bible somewhere that wives ought to respect their husbands, but each time I saw only the verse that says "Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:22). Today, I saw the other verse further down the passage. Ephesians 5:33 says "However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband."
I have observed over and over again, that there is something special in any couple where the wife shows respect to the husband in front of everyone else. Immediately other people also see and place the husband in high esteem, and they see inner beauty in the wife at the same time. If she sees her husband being put down, she immediately rises to his defense. If she is offered a compliment that makes her husband look small, she immediately shares the compliment with her husband. She knows when to decline when her husband is not equally honoured. Such is a woman's beauty that does not fade with time.
So, while we go about quoting Ephesians 5:22, don't forget to include Ephesians 5:33 as well.
I have observed over and over again, that there is something special in any couple where the wife shows respect to the husband in front of everyone else. Immediately other people also see and place the husband in high esteem, and they see inner beauty in the wife at the same time. If she sees her husband being put down, she immediately rises to his defense. If she is offered a compliment that makes her husband look small, she immediately shares the compliment with her husband. She knows when to decline when her husband is not equally honoured. Such is a woman's beauty that does not fade with time.
So, while we go about quoting Ephesians 5:22, don't forget to include Ephesians 5:33 as well.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
The voice of God
Hebrews 11:6 says: "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
These words are as reassuring to me as was the sermon in church this week. The sermon was about listening to the voice of God. We often hear many Christians say God tells them this and God tells them that. Being a relatively matured Christian, I confess I have never heard an audible voice of God. This week the sermon was in the form of an interview, and at the end of it the speakers were asked to summarize in a few words what they think is most important. The first speaker says "Saturate yourself in the word of God". This makes sense to me. The word of God helps us to know God and if we know Him well, then we distinguish Him from amongst all the noises and distractions. The second speaker said "Be still". Of course, how can we hear anyone unless we pause and listen keenly? The third speaker said we must learn to discern. Is it God's voice, or the devil's , or your own thoughts that are running through your head? All three can happen. To sharpen his thoughts, the speaker said he finds it useful to start writing down his thoughts. That, I also agree wholeheartedly. That's why I blog.
Back to Hebrews 11:6. The Bible says clearly here that anyone who comes to God must believe He exists. That's faith. If everyone can hear an audible voice from God (I'm not saying it never happens), faith will cease to play its intended role.
These words are as reassuring to me as was the sermon in church this week. The sermon was about listening to the voice of God. We often hear many Christians say God tells them this and God tells them that. Being a relatively matured Christian, I confess I have never heard an audible voice of God. This week the sermon was in the form of an interview, and at the end of it the speakers were asked to summarize in a few words what they think is most important. The first speaker says "Saturate yourself in the word of God". This makes sense to me. The word of God helps us to know God and if we know Him well, then we distinguish Him from amongst all the noises and distractions. The second speaker said "Be still". Of course, how can we hear anyone unless we pause and listen keenly? The third speaker said we must learn to discern. Is it God's voice, or the devil's , or your own thoughts that are running through your head? All three can happen. To sharpen his thoughts, the speaker said he finds it useful to start writing down his thoughts. That, I also agree wholeheartedly. That's why I blog.
Back to Hebrews 11:6. The Bible says clearly here that anyone who comes to God must believe He exists. That's faith. If everyone can hear an audible voice from God (I'm not saying it never happens), faith will cease to play its intended role.
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