Galatians 6 - to (do) become a new creation

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. (Galatians 6:1)

Reading the very first verse of today's chapter felt like it is targeted at me.

I have been quite discouraged recently, and was deciding to leave things as it is and not do anything more. Because sometimes, trying to steer someone onto the righteous path is so difficult. They might just throw these words in your face: "Haa-naa, you are very holy."

Sometimes, trying to walk on this path yourself is even more difficult, because you are tempted to go with the others who have left this path. In fact, you know you are not holy at all; rather, you are hoping that there are others who would strive to be holy with you.

This verse seems to be a reminder for me to continue to "restore him in a spirit of gentleness". How should I go about it?

I have been feeling like I have been trying too hard in too many things. So, I am trying to take a back seat in some things. Afterall, each will have to bear his own load, right? There is only so much I can do. As long as I've tried, that's good enough?

For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. (Galatians 6:15)

What really matters is not whether you are circumcised or not, but that after one receives Christ, he becomes a new creation.

As I am reading this verse, it seems to me that the new creation that Paul was talking about is something that we have to do to make it happen. In other words, it is not simply that after we are washed in baptism, we emerged out of the water, already being new creation; but that we need to make sure that we actively seek to be a new creation after we are baptised into Christ. And we have the ability to make that happen, because we have the Holy Spirit to guide and give us strength!

Therefore, Paul was saying, whether you do circumcision or not, it does not matter; what matters is that you (do) become a new creation. ie you do something to change yourself for the better, more Christ-like.

Have we truly become a new creation after believing in Christ Jesus? We can't sit and wait for it to happen. We need to make it happen, by our actions, our conduct, our speech, and by the decisions we make in our every day life.

One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches. (Galatians 6:6)

This verse intrigued me a little, probably because I am a teacher.

What good things will my student share with me? It's kind of an interesting question...

But, well..... I can think of one now.

A truth-seeker whom we came into contact with through our door-to-door evangelism efforts has been fervently studying the bible with us and has decided to be baptised!

This is indeed the best gift I can ever receive as one who teaches, I suppose. And by her decision to get baptised, that is also the best gift I can ever give to my student.

It is happening this Saturday, and I can already imagine the joy as angels in heaven are rejoicing together with us :)

May God bless.

Galatians 5 - On provoking and leaven

A little leaven leavens the whole lump. (Galatians 5:9)

Sometimes, we think that "a little bit" of something is nothing really. What is a little bit of me-time, just slacking and idling? What is a little bit of worldly entertainment, just to relax ourselves?

How about, a little bit of sin?

In the old days, when people made bread, they included an ingredient called leaven. Leaven is a yeast that makes bread rise. It creates air pockets in the dough, which end up being the tiny holes of air in finished bread. Have you ever had bread that had air pockets in one end of the loaf, and none in the other? No. Bread that has these air pockets has them evenly distributed throughout the bread. That's because when you put leaven in dough, it affects the whole loaf. (http://www.ebibleteacher.com/children/lessons/leaven.htm)

Like a little drop of ink in a glass of water...

A little bit of sin in our life will also affect our entire soul.

A little bit of sin can also spread and affect the entire church.

A little bit of sin will spread until it takes over our lives.

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. (James 1:14-15)

Therefore, say "NO" even to a little!

Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:26)

The word "provoke" really caught my attention. I have been giving some thoughts regarding this - that some of us might be provoking each other without the consciousness of it. However, I believe there is really no ill intentions.

It's just that recently, I find myself at the receiving end of provoking remarks. And I really find it hard to resist retaliation.

And even if I can control myself, and not be provoked, I can't help feeling all lousy and sour about it.

And so, this verse came at the right time.

Let us all pay more attention to our deeds, especially the words that we speak, so that we may not be guilty of provoking one another, albeit unintentionally and unconsciously.

Because when the harm's done, there is no 'undo' button to remove the hurt.

Let us be careful with our words and know how to say "NO" to even a little today.

Galatians 4 - Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ

My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, (Galatians 4:19)

I have always wondered how life would be like to be there with Jesus some two thousands years ago, to hear Him speak directly, and to watch Him perform signs and miracles before my very eyes.

Now, I wonder how it would be like to be living in the days when Paul was going around establishing churches, doing both pastoral and evangelism work.

We all know he was like a father to the believers, having begotten them through the gospel in Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 4:14-15). Isn’t it wonderful to have a mentor like him in our life of faith, to teach us what’s right and what’s wrong, and to guide us along our way?

For whom I Labour in birth

We should really thank God if we are able to think of someone in our life who is like Paul to us. However, how about passing it forward and consider if we have been Pauls to the people in our lives? As RE teachers, or counsellors, or befrienders to truth-seekers (in fact, every believer!), we have the opportunity to impact on somebody’s life. Do we seize hold of that opportunity, that grace? Do we go to the extent of labouring in birth for these “little children”?

I guess Paul used “labour in birth” to illustrate how painful and difficult the process to bring someone to Christ can be. It is something we have to persevere in, in order to deliver someone in Christ. Have we truly “labour in birth” for someone else? Or have we only been dwelling in our own comfort zone?

Until Christ is formed in you

and this is our ultimate aim, isn’t it? That Christ should form in the little ones we pastor. Sometimes along the way, we may have forgotten about this. We get so tied up with planning good and creative lessons or events, that we forgot the true goal of it all is to make sure that at the end of the day, Christ may be formed in each and every one of us.

I am afraid for you, … (Gal 4:11)

How about considering this too - do we actually fear for another’s faith? Or we live oblivious to the people around us? Do we actively look out for each other’s faith and seek to build each other up?

… lest I have labored for you in vain. (Gal 4:11)

Paul did not mean that he regret labouring for the believers, but ‘laboured for you in vain’ meant the possibility that even believers of Christ may not be saved at the end of the day. In other words, not all who claimed to be Christian would enter the kingdom of God and enjoy eternal bliss.

Paul was not thinking about himself; he was thinking for the believers, reminding them and hoping that his labour would not be in vain, that is, everyone will be kept on this narrow path unto heaven.

Brethren, I urge you to become like me, (Gal 4:12)

Do we sometimes wonder if Paul was a little bit conceited when he says something like this? But after some thought, I start to reason that how many of us can boldly make such a remark?

“Imitate me..”

Paul must have had a certain level of spirituality to make such a bold comment. He must have enjoyed such a close relationship with the Lord Jesus that he is confident to say, “Imitate me,……. as I imitate Christ.” (1 Cor 11:1)

Actually, we should aim to say that too for it would mean that we are confident that we are living life God’s way.

To be blameless. This should be what we are striving for.

Galatians 3 - I need Jesus

Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. (Galatians 3:21)

Paul was trying hard to persuade the Jews that only faith in Christ Jesus saves; the Law cannot bring us salvation. If it can, Christ would have died for nothing.

Actually, the Law can give life too.... if we can keep to every little thing that the Law says to do.

If we can totally keep the Law, yes, we would be perfect. We could enter into life (Matthew 19:17).

What is the Law in today's context for us non-Jews?

It could be a set of good principles that we live by, or a way of life that is good, or a list of things that we aim to do that are good. In other words, we try to use our own methods to do good, and be good. We do our way to being good.

But being the wretched man that I am, more than once, I know that I have failed terribly. By myself, I cannot do good. In fact, many times, I shun from doing good.

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. (Romans 7:18-19)

Why can't I do good? Because the only source of goodness is God. Only God is good (Matthew 19:17).

I cannot find life if I try to get a tutor (which is, the Law (Galatians 3:24), or a set of good principles we aim to live by, or simply our good conscience). What they can do is simply keep me safe (Gal 3:23).... until Christ Himself comes into my life.

If I am trying to find life, I need to go to Life Himself.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6)

So, right now, in my weakness, having failed umpteen times from trying to do good or be good, there is only one thing that I am hanging on tightly to, one hymn that keeps singing in my ears.

I need Jesus....
I need Jesus...

I need Jesus everyday...

Need Him in the sunshine hour..

Need Him when the storm clouds lower..

Everyday, along my way,

Yes, I need Jesus...

Only Jesus can save me in my wretchness. Only He can bring me up from the depths of the pit to the highlands, where I can lift my head high. Not because of any good that I may have done, but because His blood washes away my guilt and so I can stand blameless and hold my head high.

And even so,

I stand

trembling

in awe of Jesus

and the cross on which He hangs.

...Thank you, Lord Jesus, for saving me.

Hebrews 5 - obedience through suffering

...he learned obedience through what he suffered. (Hebrews 5:8)

There is a saying that goes something like, "If you are not beaten, you don't know the pain."

Jesus learning obedience through His sufferings reminds me of this. Indeed, it is often after the chastisement of God that we know how much we have strayed and how to really submit to Him. And we know that when God chastise, it is because He still treats us as sons (Hebrews 12:5-7); for who will care about someone else's son?

And so, though we suffer chastisement, it is for our good, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin (1 Peter 4:1). I wonder if you have had experiences like this? I personally felt this chastisement from God and experienced how sufferings has made me ceased from sin. Perhaps it is because I have behold the power and might of God, and know that He is indeed true and living right here with me, how would I dare then to sin any more?

Therefore, suffering can be good.... for it helps us to learn obedience. For we will not dare to do anything against His will anymore.

However, Jesus did no wrong.

Yet, He suffered.

For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. (1 Peter 2:19-20)

Isn't this a higher level of faith now? Are we able to Level Up?

It is probably not easy. A recent Home Bible Study also raised up a similar question about life in the workplace. If our bosses show favouritism or prejudice, how do we deal with it? Being the Bible Study leader, yet with so little years of experience working in the real world, I found it difficult to simply show verses like 1 Peter 2:19-20 and ask believers to do it, because the Bible says so.

I know it is not easy, but if Jesus has showed us the example, in the flesh, we can probably do it too, by the power of the Holy Spirit living in us.

And through this kind of suffering, we will be able to learn a deeper level of obedience towards God; not just one that is of fear because I-have-suffered-chastisement-before,I-am-not-gonna-go-through-it-again, but one that allows us to truly obey God from the depths of our soul because we stand in awe of Jesus, us having tried suffering for doing good and have failed (and so we know it is not easy), yet Jesus did it, all for our sake.

What have you suffered for doing good? Keep it between yourself and God :)

Hebrews 1 - Jesus at center stage

The Epistle to the Hebrews started with such a strong emphasis to differentiate Jesus from the angels; we can’t help but get the drift.

While it is not my nature to dwell too much on theological stuffs, Hebrews 1 sent a reminder to me that there are some things about our faith which we must know and be clear about. And this is one of them.

Jesus is God (Hebrews 1:2-4)
1. Jesus is heir of all things.
2. The world was created through Jesus.
3. Jesus is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature.
4. Jesus upholds the universe by the word of his power.
5. Jesus made purification for sins.
6. Jesus is sitting down at the right hand of God (still there, according to our concept of time and space, interceding for us. (Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25))
7. His name is more excellent than the angels’.

Jesus is different from the angels; He is more superior

1. He is the Son (Heb 1:5).
2. He is to be worshipped (Heb 1:6).
3. His throne lasts forever (Heb 1:8-9).
4. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb 1:10-12).

whereas angels are…
1. to worship Him (Heb 1:6).
2. spirits and described as a flame of fire (Heb 1:7).
3. ministering spirits sent forth to minister God’s children (us!) (Heb 1:14).

A short chapter, but we realize that if we were to delve deeper, it is not as easily digestible as we might think. Who is this Jesus? Do we really know Him as God, the Creator? Do we see Him as different from all other ‘gods’ and spirits? Do we realize that His name is more excellent than all others (cf Acts 4:12)?

As I am reading the first chapter of Hebrews today, it was also brought to my awareness how the author quoted extensively from the Old Testament Scriptures. It reminded me of how I was attracted to come and listen to the sermons spoken in True Jesus Church at the initial periods of my faith. I like how we refer ever so often to the Bible in a single sermon alone. It was something different, something refreshing, and something that we must never give up on!

The Word of God is the basis of our faith, and the core of what we speak about. If ever we deviate or rely more on worldly wisdom, we would go haywire.

Hebrews is the bridge between the Old Testament and the New Testament as it has much reference to the Law and the OT Scriptures and these were used to testify for Jesus. The stage is set and Jesus is taking center stage; may we be able to learn much from the epistle to the Hebrews for the next few weeks.

Acts 21 - 28 The journey continues...

I have not been able to do my daily bible reading properly but I still tried to keep up with it by reading from my iPhone over breakfast etc :)

I just want to note that... as I read the last words of Acts, I can't help but feel a sense of ..... I don't know the word for it, maybe

incompleteness?

or a cliff hanger?

or what my guitar school teach me, a journey chord?

I was having my breakfast this morning while I read the last chapter of Acts and somehow I didn't feel quite right, as though there was no closure and I didn't know how to feel about it, but because I was rushing to work, I didn't think so much.

However, I am thinking now about it again, and I realised that it really is a journey chord (a journey chord, when played, suggests continuity) that has been strumming in my head.

We are not quite at home yet (there is also a home chord which is usually the ending of a song); the journey still continues.

I thought about whatever happened to Paul, this great evangelist? But I realised it is not important. What is important is whether we continue this journey today.

This journey which the first church began, and the apostles started on, are we, the true church today, also walking on it?