Very often in life we are on the lookout for the “right person”. Some believe that no one will ever fit them, some believe that they have to keep an eye out for the right person and some others believe that by some way, God will bring the right person to them. Regardless of which of the possible types you might be (even if you are not on the above examples), it is important to know it is far more important to focus on being the right person first.
In the (then) perfect world where Adam and Eve lived, God created Adam first before Eve.
Genesis 2:7 (NIV)
“The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”
God never intended for man (or woman) to be alone.
Genesis 2:18 (NIV)
“The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him”.”
God had planned right from the beginning for man and woman to be together instead of being alone. It is pretty obvious that if God made Adam out of dust, He could make Eve out of the very dust that he made Adam. God however chose to make Eve from man’s flesh and bone to illustrate that in marriage man and woman become one flesh
Genesis 2:22(NIV)
“Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib He taken out of the man, and He brought her to the man.”
Genesis 2: 24 (NIV)
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wide, and they will become one flesh.”
It is interesting to note that Adam did not seek out Eve, he did not seek out the “right one” that was supposed to be his life partner. Now it is not that Adam did know there was something called a female because he was given the task to name all livestock God brought to him. Naturally and its an obvious assumption really, God brought both sexes of animals to Adam to name. So Adam would know in his heart that he lacked a counter partner (woman).
Imagine this; Adam is sitting on a rock while animals are brought to him by God. First a lion and lioness calmly walks up to Adam who stares at them. “God why are there two of them at the same time? Why do they look similarly yet one of them has a mane?” God then explains the male and female role and the whole deal while Adam slowly digests the facts. After naming them, different animals are brought to him, cows and bulls, tigers and tigress, eagles etc. He starts to wonder, why is everything in a pair? Why is there a male and female for everything I name while I’m alone?
Genesis 2: 19-20 (NIV)
“Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field.”
Why I’m mentioning this is because we should follow Adam’s example of waiting patiently for God to bring the right person to us. Instead of hunting for the person God intended for us, we should pray for God to change us into the right person. Sometimes God does not introduce the intended person to us because he needs to install certain values into us first, teach us important lessons or teach us how to value the things around us first.
How to become a right person? It is very easy. Follow what God has instructed or placed into your life. This could be work, studies etc. In a utopia which was essentially Garden of Eden before the fall of humanity, we actually see work (leisure work in comparison to the work done after the fall of man) done.
Genesis 2:19-20 (NIV)
See above verse
God instructed Adam to name the animals God has brought to him. God never intended for Adam to just sit around and like count the number of leafs falling onto the ground and play catching with the squirrels while dinner is made for him by God. God had designated task for him. First we see the task of caring and working in the Garden of Eden then subsequently naming the animals.
Genesis 2:15 (NIV)
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”
Genesis 2: 19-20 (NIV)
“Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field.”
All in all, we see Adam actually doing work in the Garden of Eden. Honestly not an easy task to do alone. Really, we can speculate why God had to make Adam wait first before bring Eve to him. I simply believe that God did not bring Eve until Adam was ready for her. It really could be that Adam might not have treasured Eve as much as he could have valued her. Why do I say this? Adam was given a really large task, naming all the animals in the world and caring for the Garden of Eden. God never intended for Adam to do it alone, he had from the beginning of time dreamt up of all of us (males and females).
Imagine this, Adam was going o.k for the first 2 hours naming animals and remembering every single name he gave them (because he wouldn’t be giving the same name to the same animal). Sooner or later, he would run out of ideas whether it is 4 hours later or 8 hours. Adam needed someone to help him out. I believe its during this time that Adam really learnt to value Eve as for who she is. She completed him and both of them together (as one) could complete the task God has laid for them. Adam had to become the right person, he had to change into the person God desired him to be. A person who loves and values Eve.
That’s why it is important for us to realise, it is not our job to look for our partner in life. Seek God’s presence and do earnestly whatever God has assigned you. Position yourself correctly to mould yourself into the right person.
God bless you,Jeremy Lim
As usual, any corrections, questions, words of wisdom and encouragement are welcomed. Pls post under comments and I will get back to you as soon as possible :)
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Worship - offering -
Genesis 2:7 (NIV)
"The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground..."
Many people tend to forget that we are nothing but dust itself. We are literally made of dirt from the earth that we now walk on and yet there is so much pride in us, we who are dust itself.
Isaiah 14: 12 - 14 (NIV)
"How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth you who once laid low the nations!"
"You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountains."
"I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High."
It was pride itself that caused Lucifer (Satan) to fall.
Revelation 12: 4 (NIV)
"His tail swept a third of the stars out fo the sky and flung them to the earth..."
And with satan fell a third of the angelic host in heaven. The stars that plunged to earth are considered to be the angels who fell with Satan and subsequently became his demons. Even Hebrew traditions speaks that a third of all the angels in heaven fell with Satan.
A very common misunderstanding with many people including Christians is that heaven is heaven because God is there (which is true) and that hell is hell because God is not there which is not what scripture teaches. Hell is simply the wrath of Almighty God.
Revelations 14:10
"... He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb"
And before the wrath of God, all people. I say again, ALL PEOPLE whether great or small will try and hid before God's wrath
Revelations 6: 15 - 17
"Then the kings of the earth, the princes... every slave and every free man hid in caves and amoung the rocks of the mountains."
"They called to the mountains and the rocks "Fall on us and hide us form the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath fo the Lamb!"
"For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?"
It is the perfect justice revealed against man throughout eternity. And before the wrath of the lamb, great and mighty man will cry out and cower in fear before God's righteous fury. Yes we do have the assurance of salvation and a place in God's presence in heaven when we are first saved. However, DO NOT presume that just because you call Jesus your Lord and Saviour will result in you being saved. We have to bear fruits (This is another topic). Justice will be poured out upon all non-believers and people who do not bear fruits for there is no such thing as a barren Christian. We will bear fruits. Just like how there is no homosexual Christian nor an occult practicing Christian who would bear true fruits of the Holy Spirit. And because of the crimes you have commited and commit in the future, justice would be poured out.
God's love is so great for us is SO GREAT that it is IMMEASURABLE! I will say this, when Satan and his followers rebelled against the Kings of Kings, Lords of Lords, the Almighty God, God saw it fit to send Satan and his followers to hell. And God was still righteous and perfect when melting out his judgement. Yet when Adam and his decendents rebelled, God has the very same right to send us to hell as well. He would be perfect and just still. However he sent Jesus as our saviour, as our hope and our way out. Jesus was sent down to earth for our sake, because out of Love God sent his only son to die for us.
Isaiah 53: 10, 12
"Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand."
"... because he poured out his life unto death and was numbered with the transfresors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."
Someone had to bear the sin, someone had to become the scapegoat, someone had to become the curse. We are saved only when Jesus was nailed to the tree to die for our sins. God has crushed his one and only begotten son for us! We must not only realise but understand that God had to measure out the punishment for it was God who was offended, it was God's wrath that was kindled and it was God's justice that had to be poured out. Someone (Jesus) had to interpose and suffer the judgement, the wrath and the justice of God.
Galatians 3: 10
"... "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law"
If anyone just broke one law, ONE law, you would be under a curse. I say it again, break just one law and your under a curse already.To be under a curse before our Holy God and heaven, we would be so vile, so disgusting, so dirty, so henious that when we enter hell all creation has the right to clap to God for his Righteousness. To save us out of love, someone had to die and that someone was Jesus. Jesus was seperated from God's favourable presence because he had to bear the sins of his people and become a curse before his father. Jesus Christ has redemped us and became sin on our behalf our of love. To take upon the shame, the guilt, the sin before a Holy God and dieing without him.
Now listen to me, God has loved us so much that he has sent Jesus, his only son to die on the cross for us. He did not have to send Jesus at all, for he would still be righteous and just. Praise is obviously the time when we praise and proclaim his greatness, thanking him for everything he does. Worship is different, worship is we saying Lord I love you. For all that he has done, for what he is and who he is, I love you. Offering is a special type of worship, offering really shows our heart and the sacriface we are prepared give to God.
2 Samuel 24: 24
"But the king replied to Araunah, "No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing"
Do not have the misunderstanding that you are sacrifacing what is yours, everything under the heavens and in heaven belongs to God. There is absolutely nothing that God who created everything does not own. He has given to you what he owns and as an act of faith, give back to him what he has given to you. In the ancient days, lambs, doves and other animals were sacrifaced however they were not bought without a price. It showed the level of faith, believe and love they had for God. Now we use money which is the price. God has given each of us different abilities and different standings in society as well as different richness for his own purposes. For what God has given to us, no matter how big or how small, God looks at the heart of our giving, not the amount for our offering as mentioned before is an act of love and faith to God.
Mark 12: 44
"They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on"
Now a days, we expect God to come to us, to explain and prove who he is and of course shower us with gifts. God does draw to us but with a myraid number of ways. This is so different from people of the past whom this particular characteristic we should learn and copy. For example, the Magi travelled for thousands of miles to see the Jesus and responded with joy, worship and gifts when they finally found him
Matthew 2: 1 - 2
"... Magi from the east came to Jerusalem"
"and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.' "
To sum things up, the essence of true worship is honouring Jesus for who he is and willing to give him what is valuable to you. Not because we have to give him the properties he had entrusted to us but because this is our act of love and faith to him.
Matthew 2: 11
"On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh."
God bless you,
Jeremy Lim
As usual, any corrections, questions, words of wisdom and encouragement are welcomed. Pls post under comments and I will get back to you as soon as possible :)
"The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground..."
Many people tend to forget that we are nothing but dust itself. We are literally made of dirt from the earth that we now walk on and yet there is so much pride in us, we who are dust itself.
Isaiah 14: 12 - 14 (NIV)
"How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth you who once laid low the nations!"
"You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountains."
"I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High."
It was pride itself that caused Lucifer (Satan) to fall.
Revelation 12: 4 (NIV)
"His tail swept a third of the stars out fo the sky and flung them to the earth..."
And with satan fell a third of the angelic host in heaven. The stars that plunged to earth are considered to be the angels who fell with Satan and subsequently became his demons. Even Hebrew traditions speaks that a third of all the angels in heaven fell with Satan.
A very common misunderstanding with many people including Christians is that heaven is heaven because God is there (which is true) and that hell is hell because God is not there which is not what scripture teaches. Hell is simply the wrath of Almighty God.
Revelations 14:10
"... He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb"
And before the wrath of God, all people. I say again, ALL PEOPLE whether great or small will try and hid before God's wrath
Revelations 6: 15 - 17
"Then the kings of the earth, the princes... every slave and every free man hid in caves and amoung the rocks of the mountains."
"They called to the mountains and the rocks "Fall on us and hide us form the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath fo the Lamb!"
"For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?"
It is the perfect justice revealed against man throughout eternity. And before the wrath of the lamb, great and mighty man will cry out and cower in fear before God's righteous fury. Yes we do have the assurance of salvation and a place in God's presence in heaven when we are first saved. However, DO NOT presume that just because you call Jesus your Lord and Saviour will result in you being saved. We have to bear fruits (This is another topic). Justice will be poured out upon all non-believers and people who do not bear fruits for there is no such thing as a barren Christian. We will bear fruits. Just like how there is no homosexual Christian nor an occult practicing Christian who would bear true fruits of the Holy Spirit. And because of the crimes you have commited and commit in the future, justice would be poured out.
God's love is so great for us is SO GREAT that it is IMMEASURABLE! I will say this, when Satan and his followers rebelled against the Kings of Kings, Lords of Lords, the Almighty God, God saw it fit to send Satan and his followers to hell. And God was still righteous and perfect when melting out his judgement. Yet when Adam and his decendents rebelled, God has the very same right to send us to hell as well. He would be perfect and just still. However he sent Jesus as our saviour, as our hope and our way out. Jesus was sent down to earth for our sake, because out of Love God sent his only son to die for us.
Isaiah 53: 10, 12
"Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand."
"... because he poured out his life unto death and was numbered with the transfresors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."
Someone had to bear the sin, someone had to become the scapegoat, someone had to become the curse. We are saved only when Jesus was nailed to the tree to die for our sins. God has crushed his one and only begotten son for us! We must not only realise but understand that God had to measure out the punishment for it was God who was offended, it was God's wrath that was kindled and it was God's justice that had to be poured out. Someone (Jesus) had to interpose and suffer the judgement, the wrath and the justice of God.
Galatians 3: 10
"... "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law"
If anyone just broke one law, ONE law, you would be under a curse. I say it again, break just one law and your under a curse already.To be under a curse before our Holy God and heaven, we would be so vile, so disgusting, so dirty, so henious that when we enter hell all creation has the right to clap to God for his Righteousness. To save us out of love, someone had to die and that someone was Jesus. Jesus was seperated from God's favourable presence because he had to bear the sins of his people and become a curse before his father. Jesus Christ has redemped us and became sin on our behalf our of love. To take upon the shame, the guilt, the sin before a Holy God and dieing without him.
Now listen to me, God has loved us so much that he has sent Jesus, his only son to die on the cross for us. He did not have to send Jesus at all, for he would still be righteous and just. Praise is obviously the time when we praise and proclaim his greatness, thanking him for everything he does. Worship is different, worship is we saying Lord I love you. For all that he has done, for what he is and who he is, I love you. Offering is a special type of worship, offering really shows our heart and the sacriface we are prepared give to God.
2 Samuel 24: 24
"But the king replied to Araunah, "No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing"
Do not have the misunderstanding that you are sacrifacing what is yours, everything under the heavens and in heaven belongs to God. There is absolutely nothing that God who created everything does not own. He has given to you what he owns and as an act of faith, give back to him what he has given to you. In the ancient days, lambs, doves and other animals were sacrifaced however they were not bought without a price. It showed the level of faith, believe and love they had for God. Now we use money which is the price. God has given each of us different abilities and different standings in society as well as different richness for his own purposes. For what God has given to us, no matter how big or how small, God looks at the heart of our giving, not the amount for our offering as mentioned before is an act of love and faith to God.
Mark 12: 44
"They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on"
Now a days, we expect God to come to us, to explain and prove who he is and of course shower us with gifts. God does draw to us but with a myraid number of ways. This is so different from people of the past whom this particular characteristic we should learn and copy. For example, the Magi travelled for thousands of miles to see the Jesus and responded with joy, worship and gifts when they finally found him
Matthew 2: 1 - 2
"... Magi from the east came to Jerusalem"
"and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.' "
To sum things up, the essence of true worship is honouring Jesus for who he is and willing to give him what is valuable to you. Not because we have to give him the properties he had entrusted to us but because this is our act of love and faith to him.
Matthew 2: 11
"On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh."
God bless you,
Jeremy Lim
As usual, any corrections, questions, words of wisdom and encouragement are welcomed. Pls post under comments and I will get back to you as soon as possible :)
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Awareness
This was written by a fellow brother in Christ (Joel) in my church in Singapore.
Awareness:
A group of women in Singapore recently sparked off an electrifying episode in a civil society that has not known much sensation. The team led by Ms Josie Lau has been voted out in an apparent defeat hailed as a victory for "what is right".
But what exactly transpired in these 35 days? What evil have Ms Lau and her team committed to deserve this avalanche?
They came as a large group to the AGM on 28th March, voted in numerical superiority to oust the Old Guard, and took over as the New Exco. They justified this with accusations at the Old Guard for promoting homosexuality and for losing sight of the Organisation's raison d'etre. The Old Guard, mad and furious at being thrown out of power, used their connections with the national media to make their dethronement a headlines story. It was a coup! they cried. And then, for every single day after, the press, especially The Straits Times, voraciously fed off this rare occurrence of a scandalous story, playing up two irrelevant things: that the New Exco used numbers to vote (who doesn't?) and that the New Exco was mainly Christian (why should that matter in a secular organisation?). In the end, an EOGM was held and a vote of 2-1 brought an end to the saga with the Old Guard brought back to office.
And while I disagree with many things Ms Josie Lau and Team did, especially choosing to take-over instead of to communicate, and their mishandling of opportunities to engage and express clearly their plans and intentions, there are many issues that have been largely ignored by The Straits Times (which single-handedly rose this story to national level):
1.
The take-over by the New Exco was legal
Though it may not have been the most productive option, the take-over by Ms Josie Lau and her team was completely legal and in adherence to Aware's constitution, regardless of the extraordinary circumstances under which they occurred. Just because it was planned and successfully undertaken does not make it a "coup" which, by definition, is unconstitutional. The Strait Times not only ignored this oversight, they blatantly used the word "coup" on all its coverage of the story to describe the take-over.Anyone knows that numbers matter in a vote, so why should coming in full force to vote for something you believe in be condemned?
2.
Erroneous notation of "secular"
The Straits Times also insisted on sending an equally wrong message with the word "secular".Singapore is a multi-religious secular country. That it can even be defined as such shows that "religion" and "secularism" are not incompatible. "Secular" does not mean atheism or "no religion"; it simply means "not religion-conscious", i.e., the individual's competency should not be judged by his religion.So in a secular organisation like Aware, why should Exco members' religious affiliations matter? But The Straits Times disregarded this and emphasised daily for the 35 days, that 6 (and not even all!) Exco members attend the same church. Try emphasising the religion/race of a particular cabinet minister and see what happens to you in this country where an ISA code is in effect.As a result, a group of women concerned enough to attempt righting a wrong, came to be portrayed as extremists in a country where the media is trained to be as gospel.
3.
Homosexuality
Under the slogan of "inclusiveness", gay rights groups have promoted the belief that accepting homosexuality as a normal alternative lifestyle is "open-mindedness", and that insisting it is abnormal (as opposed to "normal") is "narrow-mindedness" (and, if the person is Christian, "Fundamentalist").But this is a secular country. The Christian/Muslim/irreligious stand that homosexuality is wrong should be equally accepted and respected. A group that insists that homosexuality is "normal" is NOT more inclusive than a group that insists homosexuality is "abnormal" because the former group effectively excludes the beliefs of the latter group.So a truly inclusive group is one that says "some believe that homosexuality is normal, and some believe that it's abnormal; we leave this issue open to debate and do not make a stand on its normality". And that is what the Old Guard was NOT! It was pursuing its non-inclusive pro-homosexual (intolerant of the "homosexuality is not normal" view) agenda uncontrolled.
4.
Playing up of the $90,000 spent
Does anyone think that amid the storm of controversy, the New Exco was enjoying little holidays in exclusive resorts, and purchasing golden toilet bowls for the office? Playing up the amount without thinking about the facts is tantamount to implying this.Aware's constitutional clause for allowing no more than $20,000 to be spent in a month was written in the light of a consistent membership that never exceeded 300. In the last 5 weeks, this number soared to 3,000. Logically, the amount the Exco be allowed to spend should have been raised in proportion with this, but obviously, there has been no opportunity to address such issues. The EOGM itself (which could have been unnecessary) cost Ms Lau's Exco $19,000 to be held at Suntec Convention Centre (the venue the police insisted on). The Aware website was hijacked by the Old Guard, and in order to facilitate new membership registration (which were coming at a dizzying rate), new bandwidth infrastructure had to be fixed. Legal advice, given the death threats, personal attacks, and public posting of sensitive private information, was legitimate and understandable.Besides, the registration fee from the almost 3,000 new members meant that there was a windfall exceeding $90,000 in Aware's coffer funds.
5.
Failure of Old Guard to completely answer all accusations
This whole embroilment stemmed from one thing - the accusations and queries brought up against the Old Guard's practises. Surprisingly, disproportionately little coverage has been given to these issues in The Straits Times.Till now, the Old Guard has failed to completely answer all the accusations, especially on the sexual education program in schools. That the CSE teaches students as young as 12 years old that anal sex is "healthy", homosexuality is "normal", and pre-marital sex is "not negative", it is not surprising that a group of Singaporeans, known to be generally conservative, decided to step in and intervene. Regardless of religious affiliations, or the lack thereof, many parents in Singapore are against such slants in sexual education.
6.
Actions and behavior of the Old Guard
Hijacking Aware's website, issuing death threats and publicly releasing sensitive private information are all shameless deeds. And in rallying people to swing votes, they did the very thing they accused Ms Josie Lau's team of. And did this EOGM vote represent the view of local women, known to be conservative? Or were these voters mere sheep, excited by the rare occurrence of a sensational event in their country, conforming to the national media's biased point of view? I know only 1 of the original 300 members of Aware, and she voted for the Exco led by Ms Lau because she knew what the Old Guard had been doing, and the New Exco's plans and interests. The gay community is known to be outspoken and very passionate about their cause. Were the men who gave a loud voice in support of the Old Guard really doing this for women's rights or for their own vested interest that is out of the scope of the Organisation? What do they know about the Feminist Movement?
7.
Christians standing up against Christians.
It is a sad day when these words of Jesus came to represent His own body: A house divided against itself cannot stand. That a self-professed "Bible-believing" Christian, Gwee Li Sui, would make public his opposition to the take-over by Ms Josie Lau disappoints me. Of course we should not support Christians when they are doing the wrong thing. But we should never oppose them because we fear for our own safety, popularity or interests, in compromise of what is right. The Church's stand in Nazi Germany is a good example of Christians taking the wrong stand, to devastating effect.The Bible clearly condemns homosexuality (no, not homosexuals) in many places and not once condones it.James 4:17 says that anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. That a Christian would stand up publicly in opposition to fellow Christians who are doing what they believe is the right thing to do - taking over Aware through a legal vote to stop it from promoting (and teaching in schools) its non-inclusive pro-homosexual stand - in itself sends across a message that compromises what your beliefs on homosexuality are.Gay rights groups have made it seem like it's simply "inclusive" to accept homosexuality as a normal alternative lifestyle. But this is not true. In accepting this stand, Christians are tricked into effectively renouncing their own Christian (and not just Christian, but Muslim and also irreligious) stand that homosexuality is wrong. "Wrong" and "normal" are mutually exclusive. A Christian has to decide whether he believes in what the Bible says, that homosexual deeds are sin, or to believe what the world is preaching, that it is just a normal alternative lifestyle.That a secular group (secular meaning it ought to represent all faiths, not atheism in particular) was promoting an anti-Christian/Muslim/irreligious agenda by promoting and teaching children that homosexuality is "normal" means that it was going off its own secular course - it was not representing ALL views on this topic. The Old Aware was dictating their pro-homosexual stand (which excludes the Christian belief) and teaching it to young children. They were, in effect, teaching Christian and Muslim children that their religion is wrong! This is the line Pastor Hong of COOS identified as the boundary we should not let our country cross. This is the reason why Ms Lau and her team decided to intervene. But they were cut off before they could prove their worth.Ms Josie Lau and her team were not about forcing everyone to believe that homosexuality is wrong, in accordance with Christian values and beliefs. They have reiterated that they would support lesbians who are being discriminated. But the media and online community would hear none of this. What her team attempted to do, and was stopped by a majority of 2-1, was to halt the Old Guard's pro-homosexual agenda, to stop them from teaching children that it is normal to be gay - because this is in conflict with at least what a majority of the national population believes in. Were Christians part of the 2-1 majority? What were they intending to achieve?As Christians, what are we doing about this issue? Are we sitting back in comfort, denouncing the take-over as "extremist" simply because it's dramatic and has angered many, in hopes that we may be seen as "moderates"? Or are we investigating this issue, looking into accusations from both sides, and thinking before making a conclusion about the correct stand to take? I lament the present state of our country and, consequently, the Body of Christ in Singapore, that we have been found to be unable to make up our minds on what is TRULY right, choosing instead to conveniently side whatever is easy, consequently giving anti-Christians fodder to attack us. Indeed, deep down, beneath the dissent, we all know that all this unhappiness stem from the fact that Ms Lau's team is Christian.This is what should have been done instead: dismantling lies such as the one that says Christianity is about hating gay people. Christians should have been proactive in explaining what the Christian stand on homosexuality is: that homosexuality is wrong, but not wrong-er than all other sins, and that we're all guilty of sin anyway, so that makes us Christians "equal" to the most debaucherous homosexual, not more righteous on our own, so there is nothing to hate or discriminate about. This would have been so much more productive than simply saying "I OPPOSE these Christians who have taken over Aware, even though I'm Christian myself!". What benefit does that do?
Conclusion of the matter
All that said, I give credit where credit is due: to the Old Guard for their many years of good work in promoting women's rights. I also express my disappointment with Ms Lau's team for mishandling opportunities for engagement and clear expressing of their plans and intentions. This could have turned out so differently!But in all, I exhort all Singaporeans not to lose sight of the big picture. Secularism and inclusiveness must not lose their true meaning in a country as multi-racial, diverse, and yet secular as Singapore. Perhaps the only "victory" this episode has brought about is the Awareness it has raised in this country of the non-inclusive sexual education program in schools.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Stay close
Nothing seems more inspiring than reading the book of Job when one is going through a tough patch or requiring a boost of faith and encouragement. Whats interesting to see is the way the book paints the picture of God sitting in heaven in chapter 1. With the heavenly host presenting themselves to him and accounting what they have done to him. In this chapter alone, alot of things can be concluded about Satan.
Now Job 1:6-7 says
(6) One day the angels came to present temselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. (7) The Lord said to Satan, "where have you come from?" Satan replied the Lord, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it"
An interesting thing to note is God asking Satan where/what has he been doing? Well God sure knows Satan is not running around playing trick and treat with some little kids by the roadside and helping some old granny to cross the road. This is similar to him asking Adam and Eve where are you in the garden (Genesis 3:9). God is omnipresent and he knows very well Satan is bringing about destruction to his people. But this shows one important fact: Satan is accountable to God. He cannot just do things that he wants and he needs to come before God to account what he has been doing. Even his answer is a very reluctant answer as seen in Job 1:7. His just roaming the earth, walking around and smelling the daisys etc.
This is obviously not true, when God rubs in the fact that a God fearing man is out there, he can reply that God has put a "hedge around him and his household and everything he has". In another words, God has set a protection over Job, his family and everything he owns.
>>>> this shows Satan has obviously been trying to climb over the "hedge" and do something really naughty or to put it more simply, he has been trying to do his job as the prince of darkness to destroy Job's life.
Further conclusions from Job 1 (between God and Satan)
1) Satan is not stupid! He is a brilliant strategist that looks out for all strong and weak points.
- He managed to analyse Job's life, carreer, family etc. He is able to accurately analyse why many people trust and follow God. Afterall, many people are just out there just for the blessing of God, nothing else.
2) God knows what Satan is going to do.
- Satan is limited to what God allows him to do. A very important thing to realise is that God is aware that Satan is bringing suffering and difficulties to us but God allows the suffering for a reason. Now as Satan cannot do anything without God's permission (verse 12), pretty much God's people can overcome his attacks through God's power!
3) Satan is not omnipresent
- As seen in verse 6 & 7, he has to travel around the place. He may not be able to be at all places at one time but he has his aids (demons). But as a created being, he is limited like us.
4) He cannot predict the future
- As much as black magic and all those voodoo crap claims, it cannot predict the future! Satan and his demons are the centre of all those witchery stuff going around for centuries. In verse 9-11, he says Job will curse God. Read on, in verse 21 Job praises God. lol.
5) God limits Satan
- If not, there wouldn't be a book of Job. Satan would just kill him (verse 12).
Now the Bible shows God with heavenly councils and angels planning out their activities etc on earth (e.g. Seen in 1 Kings 22:19-23). As mentioned, all angels are accountable to God including the fallen ones. Countary to most views, we have to know that Satan can travel around even in heaven (e.g. 1 Peter 5:8). Thus Satan can travel pretty much most places. In Jude 1:9 shows a dispute between the Archangel and Satan, its not like the Archangel has nothing to do and go on a picnic with Satan. Satan is able to go to many places!
With a note before the ending, Satan is real... And his active. Its because we know this that we should all know that its very important to remain close to God who is > Satan.
Now Job 1:6-7 says
(6) One day the angels came to present temselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. (7) The Lord said to Satan, "where have you come from?" Satan replied the Lord, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it"
An interesting thing to note is God asking Satan where/what has he been doing? Well God sure knows Satan is not running around playing trick and treat with some little kids by the roadside and helping some old granny to cross the road. This is similar to him asking Adam and Eve where are you in the garden (Genesis 3:9). God is omnipresent and he knows very well Satan is bringing about destruction to his people. But this shows one important fact: Satan is accountable to God. He cannot just do things that he wants and he needs to come before God to account what he has been doing. Even his answer is a very reluctant answer as seen in Job 1:7. His just roaming the earth, walking around and smelling the daisys etc.
This is obviously not true, when God rubs in the fact that a God fearing man is out there, he can reply that God has put a "hedge around him and his household and everything he has". In another words, God has set a protection over Job, his family and everything he owns.
>>>> this shows Satan has obviously been trying to climb over the "hedge" and do something really naughty or to put it more simply, he has been trying to do his job as the prince of darkness to destroy Job's life.
Further conclusions from Job 1 (between God and Satan)
1) Satan is not stupid! He is a brilliant strategist that looks out for all strong and weak points.
- He managed to analyse Job's life, carreer, family etc. He is able to accurately analyse why many people trust and follow God. Afterall, many people are just out there just for the blessing of God, nothing else.
2) God knows what Satan is going to do.
- Satan is limited to what God allows him to do. A very important thing to realise is that God is aware that Satan is bringing suffering and difficulties to us but God allows the suffering for a reason. Now as Satan cannot do anything without God's permission (verse 12), pretty much God's people can overcome his attacks through God's power!
3) Satan is not omnipresent
- As seen in verse 6 & 7, he has to travel around the place. He may not be able to be at all places at one time but he has his aids (demons). But as a created being, he is limited like us.
4) He cannot predict the future
- As much as black magic and all those voodoo crap claims, it cannot predict the future! Satan and his demons are the centre of all those witchery stuff going around for centuries. In verse 9-11, he says Job will curse God. Read on, in verse 21 Job praises God. lol.
5) God limits Satan
- If not, there wouldn't be a book of Job. Satan would just kill him (verse 12).
Now the Bible shows God with heavenly councils and angels planning out their activities etc on earth (e.g. Seen in 1 Kings 22:19-23). As mentioned, all angels are accountable to God including the fallen ones. Countary to most views, we have to know that Satan can travel around even in heaven (e.g. 1 Peter 5:8). Thus Satan can travel pretty much most places. In Jude 1:9 shows a dispute between the Archangel and Satan, its not like the Archangel has nothing to do and go on a picnic with Satan. Satan is able to go to many places!
With a note before the ending, Satan is real... And his active. Its because we know this that we should all know that its very important to remain close to God who is > Satan.
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