July 11, 2010
We, Christians are given a new lease of life. We have been ushered into a new kingdom under the reign of a just, perfect and holy God.
Yet the church is far from perfection. Barely do we hear people describe the church as holy. In fact, the church has suffered a few scandals too many.
So let’s admit it – the church is not perfect.
But that does not stop us from believing in the church. Why?
BECAUSE GOD BELIEVES IN THE CHURCH. God believes in us. He believes in us because He is at work in us. The Holy Spirit that is in us is at work in us. Believe it!
I Thess 5:23-24
23May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
Yes, the church is not there yet – we are in the process. Christians are not there yet - we are in the process toward perfection.
In this process of becoming perfect, we exchange the old for the new. We say goodbye to sinful indulgences in exchange for new habits for growth. We strive toward perfection spurred on by the fact that God believes in us.
The One who calls us is faithful and He will do it. Amen.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
church unity
July 4, 2010
Jesus leaves behind no other visible witnesses except us, His disciples.
Jesus leaves behind no visible body, except the Body of Christ, His church.
Jesus leaves behind no other agenda for the church except that we are to testify that He is indeed from God.
Before His leaving, Jesus’ prayer for His disciples and us is as follows:
“.... The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind— just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, so they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me. ...” (John 17:20-23. The Message)
Unity - that is the Lord’s revealed will for His church.
Is it attainable? Clearly yes - since the Lord desires and prayed for it.
Is it easy? Clearly No. With so many denominations, inward fighting, the church’s resume is clearly lacking.
How do we do it? We do so by focusing on the common ground and collaborating in humility. It means this -
"In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity (love).” (attributed to Saint Augustine of Hippo)
In a world that is torn and divided, a church united in love is like a healing balm that displays the power of God and gives credibility to our message.
Jesus leaves behind no other visible witnesses except us, His disciples.
Jesus leaves behind no visible body, except the Body of Christ, His church.
Jesus leaves behind no other agenda for the church except that we are to testify that He is indeed from God.
Before His leaving, Jesus’ prayer for His disciples and us is as follows:
“.... The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind— just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, so they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me. ...” (John 17:20-23. The Message)
Unity - that is the Lord’s revealed will for His church.
Is it attainable? Clearly yes - since the Lord desires and prayed for it.
Is it easy? Clearly No. With so many denominations, inward fighting, the church’s resume is clearly lacking.
How do we do it? We do so by focusing on the common ground and collaborating in humility. It means this -
"In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity (love).” (attributed to Saint Augustine of Hippo)
In a world that is torn and divided, a church united in love is like a healing balm that displays the power of God and gives credibility to our message.
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