Be a Christian every day
AT THE time of the American
elections last year, there was a lot of talk about religion and
politics.
People grumbled that the evangelicals
in the United States helped President George W. Bush win.
"Keep religion and politics separate!" is almost like
a mantra today, especially in Singapore.
The whole idea is that religion is a good thing to have but only
if you keep it private. You must be able to compartmentalise your
life and stow religion in a little box that doesn't affect or
infect others.
Is Christianity a private thing to hide? Is it a real bother to
others?
One Methodist church in Singapore last year tried a bit of reverse
psychology. The Discipleship and Nurture team designed a poster
which looked like a To-Do list and it began, "Monday - Shout
at Secretary."
From Tuesday to Saturday, the list included other nasty, illegal
and immoral activities.
On Sunday, the item was "Go to Church." The suggestion
at the bottom of the poster: "Don't waste your Sundays."
If you are bad the whole week, might as well keep up the nastiness
on Sundays! Of course the point being cleverly driven home is
that we have to be Christians every day of the week, not just
when we are in church on Sunday.
We all know what being a Christian every day of the week means:
being always loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, generous,
faithful, gentle and exercising self-control. Exhibiting the fruit
of the Spirit, in other words, and living upright and godly lives.
In his sermon on "The Catholic
Spirit" preached at Newcastle in 1749, John Wesley asked,
"While you have time, as you have opportunity, do you in
fact 'do good to all men,' neighbours or strangers, friends or
enemies, good or bad? Do you do them all the good you can; endeavouring
to supply all their wants; assisting them both in body and soul,
to the uttermost of your power?" We are clearly expected
to answer, "Yes."
If we are like that every day, who wouldn't want neighbours like
us?
And Christians are not subversive traitors out to incite rebellion.
We may be citizens of a heavenly kingdom, but our Bible tells
us to respect the authority of every human institution, whether
of emperors, governors or even slave-masters.
Our history, splotchy though it may be, has been one of service
to society. In Singapore, we have started schools, hospitals,
nursing homes, family service centres, counselling centres, mediation
centres.
Our practice is to pray for our leaders and country. Even our
Methodist Social Principles clearly support National Service.
The National Council of Churches of Singapore affirmed in its
statement on the casino issue that Christians are "responsible
people who are interested in the well-being of our society"
and that we will "continue to contribute to the building
of a compassionate, just, prosperous, peaceful and flourishing
Singapore".
If we do that every day, which
country wouldn't want citizens like us?
So why set aside our Christianity when we step out of Church?
It is precisely our Christ-likeness that makes us wonderful neighbours
and model citizens. It is our strong sense of morality, our desire
for upright living, our love for others that make Christians suited
to be leaders in society.
Okay, we may fail, not everyone tries to be like Christ every
day. But at the end of the day, our Christianity should impact
others and society for the better. Let me remind you about the
church we are in.
On the John Mark Ministries website, there is a sermon by Rev
Rob Benson which includes a story of Dr Russell Blowers.
Dr Blowers was the Pastor of East 91 Street Christian Church and
an active member of the Indianapolis Rotary Club.
Each week at club meetings a different member gave a brief summary
of his job. This is what Dr Blowers said when his turn came:
"I'm with a global enterprise. We have branches all over
the world, and representatives in nearly every parliament and
boardroom on earth. We run hospitals, feeding stations, crisis
pregnancy centres, publishing houses and nursing homes.
"We care for our clients from birth to death. We're into
life insurance and fire insurance. We perform heart transplants.
Our original Organiser owns all the real estate on earth plus
an assortment of galaxies and constellations. He knows everything
and lives everywhere.
"Our product is free for the asking. Our CEO was born in
a hick town, worked as a carpenter, didn't own a home, was misunderstood
by his family, hated by his enemies, walked on water, was condemned
to death without a trial, and rose from the dead - I talk with
him every day."
That is the Church you and I belong to.
So as we enter the New Year, have a word with our Lord (every
day) and see what you can do to live as a Christian every day,
to make this a better world.
The Rev Chiang Ming Shun, recently ordained as an Elder, is
Pastor of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church.
QUOTE:
CHRISTIANS RESPECT AUTHORITY
'Christians are not subversive traitors out to incite rebellion. We may be citizens of a heavenly kingdom, but our Bible tells us to respect the authority of every human institution, whether of emperors, governors or even slave-masters. Our history … has been one of service to society. In Singapore, we have started schools, hospitals, nursing homes, family service centres, counselling centres, mediation centres. Our practice is to pray for our leaders and country. Even our Methodist Social Principles clearly support National Service.'