Just through these 2 days, I realized that I didnt change some of my values. I understand that it takes time. But I somehow feel so guilty and want so much to repent. Father, show me a sign.. Sigh. Forget about them. But there is one thing for sure, that I will change.
Have been so packed up during this week. But I still had time for Him and reading. (: I was reading this book called 'The Revolution Of Love'-by George Verwer. It somehow strucked me that some people's believe in God is wrong. Let me tell you more only if you are not rushing for time, if not just leave here & come back when you free :D Haha..
The Basic Message
This is, I believe, the basic ingredient that is largely lacking in Christianity today, and the lack of it is the source of most of our problems. It is the cancer that is eating away at the church, but it is not secret. In fact, it is so non-secretive that it is written on almost every page of the New Testament. And yet, because our hearts are so hard and cold, and because we are so self-centered, we do not see(or we do not really believe) that the basic message of the New Testament is love!
I am absolutely convinced that most of us miss this most obvious and often-repeated message, even while we are laying great emphasis on what is an 'orthodox' interpretation of the Bible; what is 'biblical teaching'.
Well, I would like to ask, 'What is biblical teaching?' We have long discussions on the Second Coming, on the meaning of the crucifixion, on the Church, the Holy Spirit, and so on. But what about love and humility and brokenness? These usually go into a seperate category, but I want to tell you that if your teaching does not include love and humility and brokenness, then your teaching is not biblical.
There are thousands, even millions, of people who claim to be 'orthdox Christians' because they cling to a certain set of beliefs in accordance with the Bible. They are aware that they do not practise much humility, but they do not think that makes them any less orthodox. They are aware that they do not really love other Christians (especially those who are different from them), but that does not cause them to think their teaching is not biblical.
They may admit that they know nothing of serving others and considering others better than themselves, and yet they consider themselves Bible-believing, othordox Christians.
They could not be more wrong! This is not Christianity but a travesty of Christianity--thinking we can be orthodox without having humility, thinking we can call ourselves Bible-believing Christians through our lives do not show love or the other fruits of the Spirit. In fact, I believe that this is the greatest error that has ever hit the church of Jesus Christ!
Teaching cannot be seperated from practical living. I cannot see Jesus Christ as some sort of spilt personality, partly doctrinal and partly moral, trying to bring two separate realms of truth into our minds. He is not on one occasion satisfying our intellectual curiosity by teaching us things about God, and in a separate exercise meeting our moral need by trying to make us more like the character of God. You cannot have a correct understanding about God without wanting to live in a way that pleases God.
'Oh,' someone says. 'there is a good, evangelical Christian...he has a very good understanding of the Bible. He doesn't have much love for others and he's not very humble, but he certainly understands the Bible.' I tell you, he does not understand the Bible is he does not love other Christians. What do we read in 1 John 4:8? 'Whoever does not love does not love God.'
There is no more biblical teaching than love, and apart from love there is not biblical teaching. Love is the foundation of all other biblical eaching, and you cannot build the building of biblical truth without that foundation.
Pure and Peace-loving
True wisdom, on the other hand, will never bring confusion: 'But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure'. God's wisdom is primarily not orthodox, but pure. And whenever what we say, and do, is not pure, then it is not from heaven, but is a mere earthly 'spiritual cleverness'. God's wisdom is also peace-loving. Alan Redpath says that when you know you are not controlled by the Spirit, when you know you are a little upset, then just do not open your mouth! I like the way he puts it: 'At that moment, literally force youself back into the will of God.' Force youself back into the will of God, and then speak. But never open your mouth when you are not controlled by the Spirit, for no matter how hard you try you will never speak with true wisdom.
How many times have you hurt someone because you spoke too soon? Husbands and wives, how many times have you hurt you partner because you did not keep quiet a few minutes longer until you were in control of your tongue? I have lost the number of times I could have kicked myself just beacuse I did not wait a little longer before I spoke.
James reminds us, 'The wisdom that comes from heaven is first pure, then peace-loving, [then] considerate. Considerate wisdom--gentle, the AV version says. I wish many young people would study this verse. It is easy to be a 'keen Christian' when you are young--and we are grateful for that. When you are young and energetic it seems that the world is just waiting to be conquered in the name of Jesus Christ. You cannot imagine why it has taken so long.
Through this do you think you are an orthodox Christian or a true believer? Haha. I'll have more good and learnable things from George Verwer, so the KIAs or the CHRISTIANS, wait ok? (: Next would be accepting critisms. Next post la.. haha. I find it very difficult to accept critisms. Imagine someone scolding you, or bad-mouthing in front of you, how would you have reacted? It will be SO difficult. I will definitely rebut him or maybe I would just say SHUT UP and walk away. Haha. That's how most people react. But surprisingly, there ARE people who actually accepted it and even smiled back. & also, it is so difficult to talk with LOVE.
-END-
Today was a great example for me. My Aunt just told me yesterday that I shouldnt drink cold drinks after eating something very very hot, like eating chilli. She explained that during the time you were eating chilli, your lung actually expand, & when you drink something cold straight away, this actually shrinks your lungs. So people watch out for this ah! ^^ After knowing this, my sister today drank cold drinks when eating the tom yam steamboat at home, just being concern and also trying to warn her, I told her not to do that. But she wanted to go her way, & i said the second time that it was bad, but she still continued and I said:
Me:Don't drink it's bad.
Sis:Very hot right.
Me:I DONT CARE ALREADY LA. YOU WANNA DRINK YOU DRINK LA. YOU DIE YOUR PROBLEM.
Sis:I DIE MY PROBLEM RIGHT, YOUR BUSINESS AH?
Me:OF COURSE LA.. I MERELY TELL YOU TO WARN YOU.. FORGET IT LA!
My gosh, was I talking with love? Definitely no! Im totally letting my own emotions take control of me, & not the holy spirit. This is totally wrong. I feel so upset and guilty. I prayed to God in my heart, I said Father, what's wrong with me? I actually let my own emotions take over me.. Father, help me to control my emotions. But after that, I apologised to my sister. Apologising doesnt HELP! Because I feel that I have already said hurtful stuff because I was feeling really angry but that is wrong! That is not God's teaching! Some Christian I am huh? But so what? That doesnt mean I dont have a chance to change. I will still change! I WILL! Although there are so many problems now, but I know God will wants to test me, he wants me to apply what I've learnt into situations like these. So.. in time to come, I will change. (:
Hope all these enlightened you my friends! ^^ Anyway, school is reopening on Monday. Gosh, that's quick and I dont want to go back! Haha. Im coming for this Sunday's service and drums lesson! Woohoo~ Saturday Im having guitar lessons. Yayyy~ Heee. Alright, take care all. & dont fall sick now! (: CIAOS!