Pondering 2

Reality cannot disprove theology. Reality did not reflect theology because reality did not live according to theology. Therefore reality cannot disprove theology. So do not be stuck in reality. Think and reflect on theology. Think and reflect more on theology… and live according to theology to bring about theology into reality… God bless you.

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Japan Christians

http://dl2.cbn.com/cbnplayer/cbnPlayer.swf?s=/mp4/BGI01_WS

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No Right or Wrong?

Some weeks ago, the church that Bobby attended celebrated their Youth Sunday. During the course of celebration, a youth leader went on stage and showed three short videos. The first was on whether a devoted sister should marry a non-believer. The second was whether an aging and constantly nagging mother should be sent to the old folks’ home. The third and last video was on whether a recently graduated and devoted sister should opt to work in a night club as compared to the clerical post as her family was in a tight spot financially. To Bobby’s amazement, the youth leader repeatedly stressed that any decision was okay as there wasn’t any right or wrong answers to any of the three scenarios as shown through the video.

To be frank, Bobby was very disappointed and highly frustrated. In fact there was even anger bubbling within that Bobby needed time to cool off before putting up this thought for sharing. There was a sense of great urgency within the church when thirty odd youth agreeing that the devoted sister in the first video should opt to marry a non-believer as husband. To top it off, the youth leader on stage repeatedly stressed that there was no right or wrong answers or decisions! Even if the choice taken that obviously went against the scriptures, there still wasn’t any right or wrong answers!!!

What has happen to our churches? What made our church leaders compromise? What and where is wrong with our religious establishments? What are the roles of our churches today? The simple fact is that though it is politically correct to say that church should not force its wills on its congregations but nevertheless, shouldn’t churches teach the correct and complete truth to their congregations? As leaders of the church, shouldn’t they live a rightful life as testimony to the God that they proclaim?

Looking back to this, Bobby felt heavy that Christians, including Bobby, should live a life worthy of the Call of God. We should be tactful in our way of life, in speech and in action, that we do not cause any of our brothers and sisters in Christ as well as those would-be believers to fall and miss the Gospel. As for the thirty odd youth that do not take matrimony issues seriously or truthfully, the Youth Ministry should repent and start teaching the correct and complete truth to the flock entrusted to them. The grace of God is not about right or wrong but before any of the believer can made any informed decisions, one has to be taught on what is right and what is wrong least no blinds lead blinds and all fall into the pit. God bless you.

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Can or Cannot?

About a week ago, Bobby was having lunch with some church friends. The one that sat beside Bobby started sharing his views on Christianity. As he continued, he started to complain how hypocritical some Christians were as they drank alcoholic drinks. “Clearly,” as he continued, “the bible is against Christians drinking alcoholic drinks.”  He continued to point out that Jesus even refused to adhere to His mother’s request about the shortage of wine during the wedding in Cana (John chapter 2). After that, he began to be judgemental with some of the conversations that were taking place then.

Bobby politely got his attention and then started sharing with him on the issue of can and cannot. It was rather a sad reminder that most churches and ministries preached that ‘can and cannot’ list especially to new converts and would be believers. We cannot drink. We cannot smoke. We cannot gamble. We cannot lie. We cannot this and cannot that. Sometimes the list could be overwhelming. Bobby attended a youth service in one of the local churches a couple of years ago. Bobby was greatly surprise that a notice of ’20 cannots’ was pasted on the main entrance. Imagine those youth that went to this service weekly were constantly being reminded of the ’20 cannots’.

Have anyone heard non believers said that they cannot yet believe and receive the salvation because they were not sure whether they can stop smoking or lying or gambling or buying lottery or gossiping or stop practicing corruptions as they were still active in business and in constructions and so on and so forth? Where did they get these ideas of can and cannot? It was not that one could condone these but when one over zealously preached the ‘can and cannot’ list, isn’t one have overlook the grace of God? When one preached the ‘can and cannot’ list, undoubtedly, one will have to look deep into oneself. The I, me and myself will overshadow the grace of God. Without the strength and wisdom from God who can permanently and gracefully kick out bad, unhealthy, depressive and untoward habits?

Back to the conversation Bobby had with the brother, the brother was reminded that the bible was not against drinking wine or any alcoholic drinks. The bible did forbid believers from getting drunk (Ephesians 5:18). Not forgetting also, Jesus did miraculously changed water into the best wine (verse 10) during the wedding in Cana. In fact, this was the first recorded miracles of Jesus during His earthly ministry some two thousand years ago. Paul in 1 Timothy 5:23 also advised Timothy to drink some wine to ease his digestion.

So as Christians, we should not focus entirely on the can and cannot. Instead, when one love God and want to do His will, willingly and lovingly, one bad habit after another will be eliminated. Look upon God and know that he is God. Only Him has the authority and ability to lead us gently and lovingly out of our unbiblical ways. Though it is not wrong for us to remind ourselves and our brethrens on the holiness of our God, we must not be judgemental over it. God bless you.

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