On regards to the authenticity of the Bible, the expert critics have been trying for many years to shoot down every single detail mentioned and yet no fault has been found except for differences in translations (Hebrew, Greek, Aramiac to English, French etc...). Whatever claims made by anyone. For pleasure or religiously related, the Bible is still the best selling and continuously being printed book in the market for centuries. How does one explain this phenomenon? If it were all bluff and air, wouldn't it be chuck aside and forgotten in this modern, intellectual, individualistic era?
As for the claim that the Bible is inspired or authored by God (Maker of heaven and earth), penned by human vessels aka the writers. Only followers of Christ would agree and say AMEN to it. To make this more logical for non-believers. God intended His word to be understood by only those He has purposed for. Meaning believers or pre-believers.
It was interesting to know that Jesus intentionally spoke in parables but explain the meaning to His disciples. (which is now recorded in the Bible). Luke 8:10, Matthew 13:10 onwards. You can just Google. "Why Jesus Spoke in Parable?s" but do refer to the Bible passages instead of commentaries.
Therefore, I do not expect non-believers to treat the Bible = God's word or authority to be obeyed. If one sees the Bible as fables and only a book with words, they bring no meaning or purpose to the person's conduct of life. The commands and laws by God do not bind them, whereas they are applicable to believers. God's chosen people.
If you have time, read the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:1-23 & Luke 8:1-15. You might want to slow down at the part where Jesus explains to His disciples why parables.
I was inspired to write about this simply because i read a refute on the authority of God on sexual immorality. To God, homosexual relationship is wrong. To non-believer or moral relativist certainly not agree with what a book dictates as right or wrong.
my fav site for quick.. searches of passages. What is moral relativism?
Happy Chinese New Year all!!
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Sunday, January 08, 2012
On the Topic of Love.
Today's sermon (Luke 15:11-32) was about what the Elder Son lacked (in the Parable of the Prodigal Son). He (the son) forgot that all the Father wanted was a son who loves Him. To be in communion or a loving relationship with the Father.
A very familiar passage, especially to all those who attend church on Sundays for the many years of their life. For the benefit of those who are hearing this for the first time, Jesus was questioned or jeered at for feiloh-shipping (eating) with the 'sinners'. Sinners would be anyone who doesn't follow the law of God according to the Upper class standards (in this passage would be the Pharisees and scribes). Coming back to modern time, we also have quite a segregation of class based on our income, profession and family background.
So Jesus' respond to the Pharisees and scribes (liken to us Christians today) with the above parable (came in 3 parts). The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin and The Lost Son ( or Prodigal Son). Do take time to read whole chapter of Luke 15.
Interestingly I actually found out I have a nickname from one of my students in SSS. Teacher Mandy is the Philosophical one. Well I took it quite negatively, that would mean from a teenager's POV... That I'm boring, long winded and not happening or cool or fun lah. But then my friend corrected me and said that it can be viewed from another perspective. I just like to talk about deep stuffs.
Either way I will wanna direct you to the point God had showed me this whole week. When we see ourselves as Christian. Which rings louder? I see myself as a child of God or a servant of God? So, does it mean by doing alot of good deeds, being in church and serving God in ministry is not what God wants? Like what the Pharisees been slaving themselves and following God's every law is not enough to get God's approval? What they have been doing is not wrong, they lacked 1 very important ingredient to all their deeds. Their relationship with God was severed.
"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are." 1 John 3:1
What are the ways we can build this loving relationship with God? (yes, i heard you... Praying to Him, spending quiet time with Him, reading the Bible) And you need to do this daily so you know who God the Father is.
in 1 John, it talks so much about God's relationship with us and us with others. That we cannot separate love of others with our love for God. John made it very clear in
1 John 5:1-3 (NLT)
"Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too.
We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments.
Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome."
And do read the whole 1 John to get a fuller picture of who we are in Christ and how we ought to be living out our faith.
So, the reason why we do what we do (ie. go the church, go sg, missions, Evangelise, feed the poor, or spend 50% of our free time serving God) is simply because we love God. It is a response of our love towards God's love (1 John 4:9-21).
If I am still unable to love a fellow Christian or a child of God. I do need to question myself, do I really know God?
If I am still unable to accept the love of God (Gift of Salvation) is for also those who are unsaved and outside of Church walls. I have to ponder whether have I missed God's point.
If I am grudgingly serving in any ministry in church. Complaining and dreading and frustrated every minute. Time for me to evaluate my relationship with God.
I woke up 1 day during the week with a heavy heart to be told I'm a sinner saved and loved by God through an unimaginable dream. (this is another topic altogether)
So about the Elder Son that was mentioned, interestingly there was no ending to this story. (fascinating point) The continuation of what would the Elder Son now decide to do? Come back into the house and celebrate with the Father and with his Younger Brother or stay outside and not be part of God's will... This is for us to respond if we sense ourselves have been like the Elder Son.
Today's sermon (Luke 15:11-32) was about what the Elder Son lacked (in the Parable of the Prodigal Son). He (the son) forgot that all the Father wanted was a son who loves Him. To be in communion or a loving relationship with the Father.
A very familiar passage, especially to all those who attend church on Sundays for the many years of their life. For the benefit of those who are hearing this for the first time, Jesus was questioned or jeered at for feiloh-shipping (eating) with the 'sinners'. Sinners would be anyone who doesn't follow the law of God according to the Upper class standards (in this passage would be the Pharisees and scribes). Coming back to modern time, we also have quite a segregation of class based on our income, profession and family background.
So Jesus' respond to the Pharisees and scribes (liken to us Christians today) with the above parable (came in 3 parts). The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin and The Lost Son ( or Prodigal Son). Do take time to read whole chapter of Luke 15.
Interestingly I actually found out I have a nickname from one of my students in SSS. Teacher Mandy is the Philosophical one. Well I took it quite negatively, that would mean from a teenager's POV... That I'm boring, long winded and not happening or cool or fun lah. But then my friend corrected me and said that it can be viewed from another perspective. I just like to talk about deep stuffs.
Either way I will wanna direct you to the point God had showed me this whole week. When we see ourselves as Christian. Which rings louder? I see myself as a child of God or a servant of God? So, does it mean by doing alot of good deeds, being in church and serving God in ministry is not what God wants? Like what the Pharisees been slaving themselves and following God's every law is not enough to get God's approval? What they have been doing is not wrong, they lacked 1 very important ingredient to all their deeds. Their relationship with God was severed.
"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are." 1 John 3:1
What are the ways we can build this loving relationship with God? (yes, i heard you... Praying to Him, spending quiet time with Him, reading the Bible) And you need to do this daily so you know who God the Father is.
in 1 John, it talks so much about God's relationship with us and us with others. That we cannot separate love of others with our love for God. John made it very clear in
1 John 5:1-3 (NLT)
"Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too.
We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments.
Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome."
And do read the whole 1 John to get a fuller picture of who we are in Christ and how we ought to be living out our faith.
So, the reason why we do what we do (ie. go the church, go sg, missions, Evangelise, feed the poor, or spend 50% of our free time serving God) is simply because we love God. It is a response of our love towards God's love (1 John 4:9-21).
If I am still unable to love a fellow Christian or a child of God. I do need to question myself, do I really know God?
If I am still unable to accept the love of God (Gift of Salvation) is for also those who are unsaved and outside of Church walls. I have to ponder whether have I missed God's point.
If I am grudgingly serving in any ministry in church. Complaining and dreading and frustrated every minute. Time for me to evaluate my relationship with God.
I woke up 1 day during the week with a heavy heart to be told I'm a sinner saved and loved by God through an unimaginable dream. (this is another topic altogether)
So about the Elder Son that was mentioned, interestingly there was no ending to this story. (fascinating point) The continuation of what would the Elder Son now decide to do? Come back into the house and celebrate with the Father and with his Younger Brother or stay outside and not be part of God's will... This is for us to respond if we sense ourselves have been like the Elder Son.
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