‘...ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of the darkness into His marvelous light’
1 Peter 2:9
In the single toned grey jacket, Mao’s little red-book waving days of communist China in the 1950s and 1960s, one popular pastime of the Chinese in the communes, after a meal, often bereft of any meat, were to gather for a time of
- group study of the iconic great Chairman’s thoughts and litany of wisdoms
- a time of self-examination and public confession of one’s failure to live up to the great man’s teachings.
‘...because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps’
1 Peter 2:21
One of my greatest desire this year has been for the family to grow closer to God and move in spiritual maturity.
God has and is answering my prayers asked in His will.
Yet, like the piece of stone being hewned into the intended masterpiece by the sculptor, the irrelevant parts have to be chipped away, the raw edges smoothened. It can be painful and one often resist.
‘...as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which was against the soul;
1 Peter 2:11
As I sit back and reflect upon my life, outwardly, one is an example of a true follower of Christ.
Yet, the inward man in me, still sins, the carnal man in me still gives room to my worldly desires to taint my God given light.
‘Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake...
...For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men’
1 Peter 2:13-15
Madam Jiang Qing, the ubiquitous leader of the notorious gang of four, the wife of Chairman Mao, with dreams of being the next ‘Empress’ of China, used such confessional sessions to put to an end her enemies and anyone who dared stood in her way to greatness and notoriety.
Thankfully, she was not far from joining her late spouse in utopia-land and China today, thanks to Deng is a different animal, at least materially.
‘..because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps’
1 Peter 2:21
‘Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again, when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to Him that judgeth righteously’
1 Peter 2:23
As the imperfect man, I have often failed to live up to God’s calling, to be like Christ.
I believed I did grow spiritually, but sadly, it is like 5 steps up and 2 steps down, and in taking those steps down, I must have often unwittingly brought some weaker souls down with me towards the devil and away from their focus on God.
Is it possible to just soar like the eagle and transformed into Christ-likeness at the blink of an eye??
Thankfully, the world’s salvation is not dependent upon men, no matter how godly we try or think we are.
For all have fallen short.
Bad things should be reiterated twice. By our poor worldly behaviour, we can lead nascent believers away from God, and give an excuse to the sinners to continue to look away from God.
God is willing, I must will myself to look to Him, for all things are from, through and to Him
Will this desire to look to God, immediately correct my anger to make a right wrong, sate my lustful desire, take away my fears, satisfy my greed, change the world or people to fit my ideals??
What matters is what God thinks, what God wills.
As we look unblinkingly towards the Lord, as we move our hearts to Him, wholeheartedly, the Lord will work in us, that what matters then to us, matters not anymore.
For the love of God transcends all.
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
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