The Passion and Crucifixion of Christ

Good Friday, a time to grieve and mourn the death of our Savior.
I personally don't agree with mourning as we know Jesus reigned victorious over death itself by beating it and rising again. Instead, I believe we ought to reflect on the passion of Christ with gratitude to acknowledge its true worth and power.
That is the purpose of this post, to record my reflections and what I've learnt from a sermon by our Church elder, Derek Moon, based on Luke 23:26-43.

Christ's passion teaches and equips a Christian with the knowledge he/she requires to follow the Lord...

Following the Lord is not an easy route to heaven. He makes it clear in many places. A Christian should expect to suffer, be neglected and isolated for the sake of the Gospel. Jesus re-affirms this key point in Luke 23:31 when He says,
"For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?"
Jesus performed many miracles for the people, He did not harm any of them, yet 'he was despised and rejected by men'. The joyful, once grateful voices that sang, "Hosanna! Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!", shouted, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" If Jesus, a perfect man, without any sin, had to suffer so much, how much more we, who are filled with sin from head to toe; even our 'good deeds' are tainted with self-seeking sinfulness.
Some, lose their lives for their trust in the Savior, others, may be despised or rejected by friends and family; whatever the form, every Christian faces persecution.

However, Jesus' response to suffering and hostility is remarkable and holds a lesson for us, as Christians, to follow...

HIS REACTION:
He grieves and prays for future generations who will be in greater suffering. - Luke 23: 28-31
OUR REACTION:
Living life as a Christian is never easy, but a few years ago, at least in the west, it was easier. Since then, things have changed! This depicts the slippery slope our culture and society is on, towards secularization and materialism. Above all, it accentuates the detriment future generations will face and the height of persecution and opposition that will lurk - the years ahead look bleak for a Christian! Hence, as our Savior prayed, so we ought to pray and grieve for steadfast, persevering believers to arise from the generations to come.

HIS REACTION:
He doesn't retaliate but grieves and prays, with love, for those who hurt Him. - Luke 23: 34
OUR REACTION:
Instead of yielding to our 'human instinct' to retaliate and seek revenge, we need to forgive, I mean TRULY FORGIVE, WITH LOVE! Love is awesome! When you love someone despite the misery they cause you, you let God's love shine right through you, your life speaks and testifies to the risen Christ living in you. You never know, you might even win souls for Christ this way.
Remember, we are able to love because He first loved us, despite our resentment towards Him.

HIS REACTION:
He repays evil for good.
OUR REACTION:
Actions do speak louder than words! Just saying you've forgiven someone or that you love someone doesn't mean much if your life doesn't exhibit it. Jesus said "Father forgive them...", He died on the cross paying the penalty for the sins of the world, including those who hated Him. He didn't just say He loved, He exhibited it through the ultimate sacrifice. Likewise, we ought to do good to those who do us wrong, repay every hostile act with a genuine act of grace, mercy and love.
It is hard and we cannot do it as of ourselves, however, we have a God who is willing to transform, enable and equip us.

There is certainly a lot more we can learn from the Passion of Christ, I have only recorded a tiny fraction. His suffering not only warns us but also challenges and encourages us; yes, God outlines the trials and problems we will face but, He also gives us the answers and solutions to help us deal with them. We need to trust Him, persevere and put it all into practice - and its not easy!

I'd like to conclude with some further thoughts, especially for the non-Christians:

The reason why Jesus gave Herod 'no answer' in Luke 23:9, was because the time of grace for Herod had culminated. Herod did not repent of his sins even though John the Baptist repeatedly warned him. His pride eventually led him to silence the preacher completely. Yes, grace is available for us all, however, only for a period; the unrepentant sinner will not be let off, given infinite chances or even yet another chance after death. There are only two options, this is reiterated by the two thieves who are symbolic:

1. Penitent Thief: Knew his sin, humbled himself and sought grace and mercy accepting his punishment as fair - He was offered forgiveness and was redeemed through Christ's blood.
2. Impenitent Thief: Ignorant, prideful and didn't understand the value of the penalty paid - He faces judgement and an eternity in hell.

I pray that you are able to identify yourself with the penitent thief. There are only two options available, you need to make the right choice before it's too late. Make haste.

Finally, sorry for the long post! May this Easter turn your eyes to Calvary and help you see the power and value of the price Jesus paid for you. Happy Easter!

Don't Get Rusty

Have you ever neglected your bike for a long time and then tried to ride it?
If you said yes, you will know that riding it requires quite a lot of effort, more than what is normally required!
Why?
The links of the chain in the cycle that connect the pedals to the wheels develop rust. Old door hinges and machinery suffer the same fate!
How do we fix it?
We add a lubricant to smooth it out so that the links can move freely, the way they should.

This 'lubricant rule' doesn't only apply to machinery, it also applies to us, as Christians. Ever so often, absorbed in the hassle of life, we neglect praying, reading and meditating on the word of God. By doing so, we become rusty Christians - it is impossible for us to function smoothly. We make the wrong choices, end up in a mess and wonder why! We forget to seek His guidance, listen to what He has to say or even pay attention to His warnings, no wonder we get tangled in a mesh!

No matter, how busy your day is, set apart at least ten minutes to read the Bible and pray, asking God to speak to you and guide you. You may wonder if it would really make a difference, but trust me, it really does enhance your relationship with the Savior - He is a personal God who is eagerly waiting to be involved in your life, to smooth out the creases and carry you through the calamities. Just let Him. Spend time with Him and you will see and feel the difference. His word is the lubricant, unless you use it effectively, you will never be able to function smoothly.
Remember, things that remain rusty for long, eventually stop working forever, lose all potential and have to be discarded. Hence, whatever you do, don't get rusty!

Morality Cannot Evolve

It always worries me to think that morality evolves with society. But should it? What is morality anyway and where does it come from?

'Morality' is defined as the 'principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior', according to the Oxford Dictionary. 'Principles' are defined as a set of 'rules', therefore morality is a conscientious law. A 'law' that evaluates the intentions behind every thought and action, a 'law' that we cannot determine ourselves but is fixed by a greater force that abides the law and is beyond the law (thus, is perfect!). Morality is rooted in our conscience; it is often associated with the 'gut-feeling' that determines our actions. We were given a conscience, its something you're born with - we don't determine it and learn it as we grow, we just 'know' it, somehow; thus we were given morality. The 'Giver' is God. Morality isn't just a set of rules that can be refined as time progresses, it is fixed. Morality finds its place deeply rooted in the principles and values preserved in God's word and the guidance He provides through His Holy Spirit.

Things are so different these days but the Holy Spirit isn't, He is the one who shapes our conscience and guides us; He has been given to us by an unchanging God. As our conscience or morality comes from Him, it cannot change. 

God never changes

Malachi 3:6 For I am the Lord, I do not change

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever

From seasons to societies' expectations, everything changes. God created everything, He is the maker of all time and space, it's therefore logical that God is beyond time, space and change.

'Thus, a finite time ago, a Creator endowed with free will could have easily brought the world into being at that moment. In this way, the Creator could exist changelessly and eternally but freely create the world in time...So the cause is eternal but the effect is not. In this way, then, it is possible for the temporal universe to have come to exist from an eternal cause: through the free will of a personal Creator.' - 'God Is Great, God Is Good' by William Lane Craig and Chad Meister

God's word doesn't change

Yes, God does not change, thus His words do not change either. It is illogical to even assume that an unchanging God would create changing laws. For His changing creation to work synchronously, He has to place unchanging laws - fixed laws that are inerrant in accuracy and precision, isn't that what creation itself, abstrusely exhibits? 

• If the earth's position from the sun differed even by a minute amount, it would make life or conditions favorable for life impossible.
• If the moon was  even a milli-meter closer to the earth, it could plummet into the earth destructively.
• The absences of mechanisms in our body that control homeostasis and protein synthesis, would make life impossible.

...and the list goes on!

Although we were looking at physical laws of design and order in the universe, the same applies for moral laws.
If something is 'wrong' or 'immoral' today, it must be 'wrong' and 'immoral' in ten years time. Murder was considered a sin in Jesus' time, although Jesus lived around 2000 years prior to our existence, and society has changed so much, our view of murder does not change. Something that was wrong then, is obviously wrong now!

While we are quick to nod our heads vigorously, why do we struggle to stand firm for ALL the values and laws the Bible holds and portrays? The deeds and practices the Bible called 'sins' during the time it was written, are still sins!
The Bible was written by around 40 different writers, in various places, situations and time periods but agrees on ALL the laws it portrays - It was NOT a bunch of ideas, mere, bored men put together! It is a God-breathed, God-inspired book; yes, men 'wrote' it, however, the ideas WERE NOT their own, they were given to them by God. Men were the vessels or the pens that God chose to use. Anyone who reads the Bible and considers the profound message held by every verse, would know exactly what I'm talking about.
I need not give examples to depict the continuous detriment our society's expectations and values face. In the name of 'rights', we are tolerating unlawful, sinful behavior and nourishing our own sinful, evil desires. By doing this, we rob morality of its real, original meaning; we accelerate at a steady rate towards a society that will have NO REAL MORALS.

It is our responsibility to be stewards - that role does not require us to look after nature alone, it requires us primarily to care and support fellow human beings! Hence, I urge you, as a Christian to pray and take your stand for the word of God and the message, values and laws it promotes; that is the only way, we will preserve morality and godliness in an ever increasingly secularized world.

Things are so different these days but the Holy Spirit isn't, He is the one who shapes our conscience and guides us; He has been given to us by an unchanging God. As our conscience or morality comes from Him, it cannot change. 

Just To Tell Me

As it was Valentine's day yesterday and also my 2nd spiritual birthday, I couldn't help but reflect on the greatest love story ever told: God's unfathomable, unfailing love manifested in Christ Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. As I was listening to Jamie Grace's 14 Love Songs, I felt an overwhelming desire to write one about the One I love and by whose love I am who I am today.
Therefore, 'Just To Tell Me' portrays our search for the perfect love and the fact that, no matter what, we can only ever find it in Jesus - The One who gave Himself up for our sake, just because He loved us.

Should the Church influence politics and the government?

My views have changed since I posted this. Of course I believe God and His Word are important in government and the laws that we make. However I do not believe that a 'Christian state' is possible - 'Christian' is a word that is largely misused, and strikes the church in that state with apathy. The early church thrived under a secular government, they never sought to create a Christian country, however they sought to create a society with such values not by force, but the transforming power of the cross. That is what we should be aiming for.



During a very interesting conversation on the bus with my friend, the issue about the state and the Church working together was raised. As its a very interesting topic and one I feel strongly about, I have decided to share what I believe here...

Should the state be secular? No!
Should the Church influence politics and the government? Definitely! I am not trying to advocate a denominational superiority or bias in the values and laws enforced by the government, however I believe in the greater Church body's absolute influence - values derived from the word of God directly and not mere doctrines preached only by a particular denomination that is contrary to the word and will of God. Values that Christianity is built upon and not what a particular type of Church is built upon or advocates, and certainly not the compromises made by some denominations sadly on some of the key, basic, clear principles God wants us to exercise.
Why?

1. 'In God we trust.' You might wonder what difference this would make! It makes A LOT of difference! 
Lets look at Israel - their battles with Palestine ended victoriously, when their trust was placed fully on God. David, a young lad, beat Goliath, a giant more than double his size, purely by relying on God as his strength and trusting that he will be delivered.
The Six Day War:
When Israel faced opposition from all its neighboring countries and aloofness from the world, it beat the well armed, thousands or millions with its humble insufficient troops and man power in six days - can you believe it? Just six days! As our jaw drops in wonder, and before we give all the credit to Israel, let us remember that this is a miracle. Any rational mind will understand that Israel would've been extinct if it weren't for some divine, supernatural intervention. How did they succeed? Well, while the neighboring countries trusted their heavily armed troops, while the world waited to hear about Israel's swift downfall, Israel hoped and placed its trust in one person, God! They took courage in and exercised Moses' words in Deuteronomy 31:6
'Be strong. Take courage. Don't be intimidated. Don't give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let you down; He won't leave you.'
How awesome are these words! Every single one of them true! God won Israel's battle miraculously, He was with them. There have been records of Arab troops, thousands, advancing up a hill, towards six (just six) Israelites with minimal supplies of bullets that were running out; the Arab troops fled back, withdrawing and yelling "Ibrahim" out of fear. They report seeing a giant, magnificent, holy figure standing behind these men. My guess is, it was not Abraham, but the almighty God. The One who promised to be with His people when they trust in Him. This is a real incident, actually reported! Thus, a country that trusts in the One True God, will never be put to shame, will be a victor, as long as they pursue the Lord's will and  abide in His ways.

2. A country built on Biblical values and principles pleases and wins the favor of God.
If we take time to analyze the evolution of the law, we can see that the once Bible-based, God centered law has been compromised to please various groups of people and also to give ourselves more freedom to quench the thirst of our sinful, evil desires.
For example:
a) Abortion - Once when life was valued was totally wrong and considered murder. Now, although life begins at conception, we call the baby inside the womb, 'a ball of cells' or a 'developing piece of tissue' - Just to be permissive towards the idea of abortion. Yes, it does make it easier to say 'I'm removing a ball of cells or a piece of tissue' than to say, 'I am murdering a God-given child' or 'I'm killing a baby'. Sometimes, abortion becomes essential, for example to save the life of the mother .etc - however, the fact is, once permitted, without strict conditions, it has become a part of life, not a serious decision that requires a lot of prayer and must be avoided at all costs - Do you see the difference? Do you see the evolution?
b) Homosexuality - The Bible is CLEAR about homosexuality being a sin. A homosexual is on the same level as a liar, thief, blasphemer or a murderer .etc. i.e. a sinner. There are two popular views different denominations take on this issue - 'Its natural, you can't help it, God loves homosexuals, thus you can be one.' or 'Its a sin, really bad, we hate all homosexuals.' Both views are ridiculously polarized, partly Biblical but primarily a twist of words to please a certain group of people and to appeal to the 21st century.
Yes, homosexuality is a sin. A homosexual is as bad as us, not worse, he/she is a sinner and so are we, all of us indulge in different sins but are ultimately, in God's eyes, branded as one - 'A sinner' (that's why liars and homosexuals are spoken about together, both have the same fate!). Once again, we can see the evolution of the law on this topic too, the law was once really strict but now, it is highly liberal, enabling people to indulge in this sin deeper freely, instead of warning them about the eternal consequences of it; it does not understand and dismisses the Bible's core message.
Returning from the digression, why is it important to build a country that is centered on godly values and principles? From the Old Testament, we see that Israel's kings who rejected God and led the country into sin were not only harshly punished by God but also, were responsible for the downfall of the country. However, kings who made God and obedience to Him, the priority of the country, found favor in the eyes of God and were delivered from distress. Remember, all of God's promises to the Israelites and to us, had and have a condition, that we follow His commandments and obey Him. Thus the law needs to support a person's relationship with God and make it easier for them to focus and please God, by doing so they win the favor of God - that is worth it!

3. A praying country succeeds
I was saddened to recently read that a much loved tradition, of saying a Christian prayer before a council meeting, was stopped in a council in Britain due to opposition on equality grounds. Ridiculous! Isn't this depriving Christians of equality? Yes, in deed! What is so unequal about seeking God's guidance and saying a prayer before a meeting, even as a tradition, in a supposedly Christian country?
This would certainly sadden William Wilberforce (1759-1833), a member of the then British Parliament who said that Britain's hope rested "not so much on her navies and armies, nor on the wisdom of her rulers, as on the persuasion that she still contains many who love and obey the gospel of Christ, that their prayers may prevail." My favorite part is "...that their prayers may prevail." I love it as it is so true, once, when Britain honored God and trusted and called on Him through prayer, she was victorious and full of splendor, but as she rejects God, fails to seek His guidance through prayer and watches her communication with her Maker and Keeper deteriorate, she herself slips lower and lower, from the position God intended and wants for her. That is truly something to be sad about!

There we go, this is not all there is, I could go on reasoning my point, which is very valid, however it would result in a lengthier post; I have picked my top three points as to why the Church needs to influence politics. (Let me re-phrase it to avoid confusion: '...as to why God should be the center of politics.')Yes, the present situation does seem bleak but there is hope. We see in the Bible that Israel also turned away from God, we all do! But they had people in authority who feared God and spoke His word to them. They had people like Wilberforce who made Israel understand the root of her success and helped diminish the pride that blinded their eyes from seeing God. Pride and self-righteousness result in godless laws, values and societies. People depend on their intellect and selfish desires and practice hatred towards godly things - once we see a revival, we will be able to see a change and God at work in our countries more, lifting us up and supporting us. He needs to be the foundation our country rests upon.

What can we do now?
We can stand up for Biblical values and principles! We can also pray! Pray for people like Wilberforce to rise up and speak out. Let us pray that God touches and softens the hearts of those around us, so that our country seeks and trusts Him, and thus be able to serve and glorify His holy name. Remember, when God did miracles and delivered Israel, the countries around feared the Lord, the God of Israel, the one true God.