counter-intuitive
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
— Matt 9:11-13 (NIV)
Probably the most counter-intuitive thing a pragmatic Singaporean can do, but can we treat the other like one of us so as to draw them to Christ in us, the hope of glory?
The action is NOT to be limited to the polished, air-conditioned church building. It is to be done in through the Church as a body.
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give His life as a ransom for many.
— Mark 10:45 NIV
Dear brothers- and sisters-in-Christ, we have to get off our high church horses and start walking amidst the masses. We are too comfortable allowing the alien in our midst serve us, and we conveniently forget to serve them. Or letting them take that bit of advantage — if it means winning them to Christ. Sow the seeds even if you don't see the fruit immediately. (It is not you who causes it to grow anyway.)
What do you hold on to that does not allow you to see these people among your midst as ones who sin against you — precisely because they need Christ? Hard-earned money? That precious heirloom that moth and rust destroy? Pride?
Have you given up your possessions (including your pride) to follow Christ, who gave up His equality with God to suffer and die for us? What cost are you truly ready to pay as a professing Christian?
Little wonder do we see our contemporaries scoff and mock at us. Because they do not see the Gospel as Good News making a direct impact in their lives: Heaven is no heaven; the Kingdom is no kingdom.
It's already here, but not completely yet.
Our faith is no blind faith if they see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven.
Let's show them Christ. Let's show them Kingdom living.
Lord have mercy.
— Matt 9:11-13 (NIV)
Probably the most counter-intuitive thing a pragmatic Singaporean can do, but can we treat the other like one of us so as to draw them to Christ in us, the hope of glory?
The action is NOT to be limited to the polished, air-conditioned church building. It is to be done in through the Church as a body.
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give His life as a ransom for many.
— Mark 10:45 NIV
Dear brothers- and sisters-in-Christ, we have to get off our high church horses and start walking amidst the masses. We are too comfortable allowing the alien in our midst serve us, and we conveniently forget to serve them. Or letting them take that bit of advantage — if it means winning them to Christ. Sow the seeds even if you don't see the fruit immediately. (It is not you who causes it to grow anyway.)
What do you hold on to that does not allow you to see these people among your midst as ones who sin against you — precisely because they need Christ? Hard-earned money? That precious heirloom that moth and rust destroy? Pride?
Have you given up your possessions (including your pride) to follow Christ, who gave up His equality with God to suffer and die for us? What cost are you truly ready to pay as a professing Christian?
Little wonder do we see our contemporaries scoff and mock at us. Because they do not see the Gospel as Good News making a direct impact in their lives: Heaven is no heaven; the Kingdom is no kingdom.
It's already here, but not completely yet.
Our faith is no blind faith if they see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven.
Let's show them Christ. Let's show them Kingdom living.
Lord have mercy.
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