Today has been one where I had to go from one place to another for three meetings - one in the heart of the Central Business District (CBD); the other in the West and the last one was in church where I had to meet one of the Lay Ministry Staff and a sister-in-Christ to change some terminologies in the Missions Policy that I am in the process of revising.
By the time I was on my way to church, I was already very tired and frankly I was not at all excited in going for the meeting. The revision of the policy has been going on for a while and it has sapped quite a bit of my energy. While in the bus, I asked the Lord to help me press on and that the meeting would be a fruitful one.
Well, it was a great time spent with two of my sisters-in-Christ as we managed to amend all that were required. I thought it would take a while for us to complete the work but it was shorter than expected. We also had a great time as we discussed about plans to raise the missions awareness in the church and the involvement of members.
Interestingly, I left the meeting refreshed and enthusiastic as to what the Missions Committee can do to challenge most, if not, all in the church to play a part in the Great Commission that Jesus had given to all Christians.
Anyway, a conversation that I had with someone a few days ago has been bothering me and I still cannot seem to get over it. It may seem trivial but I feel this liberal thought or practice may eventually lead to a bigger problem, if the mindset is not dealt with.
It was about two persons holding hands even though they are not in a relationship and these two individuals are young adults who are still in the university. When I asked how come this is so and the answer I got was that I belong to the old generation and that the new generation of today does not subscribe to the traditional thoughts anymore.
To me, I think the person whom I was having this conversation with has missed the point altogether - it is not a matter of traditional mindset versus the new but it is a case of compromise which next time may lead to others telling me it is okay to have sex before marriage or co-habitation is the in-thing or extra-marital relationship is acceptable or pornography is part of sex education. All these may sound as if I am exaggerating but mind you some of these practices are already happening and sadly amongst Christians.
Where is God in this? What do we take relationships for? A 'fun' thing with no commitment whatsoever; when-I-get-sick-of-you-I-shall-change-partner mentality? That it is okay to follow what the world does?
Taking a step further, are we trying to say that Jesus' teachings, which are more than 2,000 years old, are old fashioned; that they hold no truth; no relevance and value anymore?
I am troubled by the above-mentioned.
Well, this will bug me for a while and I will pray about this.
Time to get on with my work!
"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." 1 John 2:15-17
"You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you." 1 Titus 2
By the time I was on my way to church, I was already very tired and frankly I was not at all excited in going for the meeting. The revision of the policy has been going on for a while and it has sapped quite a bit of my energy. While in the bus, I asked the Lord to help me press on and that the meeting would be a fruitful one.
Well, it was a great time spent with two of my sisters-in-Christ as we managed to amend all that were required. I thought it would take a while for us to complete the work but it was shorter than expected. We also had a great time as we discussed about plans to raise the missions awareness in the church and the involvement of members.
Interestingly, I left the meeting refreshed and enthusiastic as to what the Missions Committee can do to challenge most, if not, all in the church to play a part in the Great Commission that Jesus had given to all Christians.
Anyway, a conversation that I had with someone a few days ago has been bothering me and I still cannot seem to get over it. It may seem trivial but I feel this liberal thought or practice may eventually lead to a bigger problem, if the mindset is not dealt with.
It was about two persons holding hands even though they are not in a relationship and these two individuals are young adults who are still in the university. When I asked how come this is so and the answer I got was that I belong to the old generation and that the new generation of today does not subscribe to the traditional thoughts anymore.
To me, I think the person whom I was having this conversation with has missed the point altogether - it is not a matter of traditional mindset versus the new but it is a case of compromise which next time may lead to others telling me it is okay to have sex before marriage or co-habitation is the in-thing or extra-marital relationship is acceptable or pornography is part of sex education. All these may sound as if I am exaggerating but mind you some of these practices are already happening and sadly amongst Christians.
Where is God in this? What do we take relationships for? A 'fun' thing with no commitment whatsoever; when-I-get-sick-of-you-I-shall-change-partner mentality? That it is okay to follow what the world does?
Taking a step further, are we trying to say that Jesus' teachings, which are more than 2,000 years old, are old fashioned; that they hold no truth; no relevance and value anymore?
I am troubled by the above-mentioned.
Well, this will bug me for a while and I will pray about this.
Time to get on with my work!
"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." 1 John 2:15-17
"You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you." 1 Titus 2
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