Law & Grace

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Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. (Gal 6:7)

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. (1 John 1:5-6)

In this time and age, I believe that very few of us err on the side of being too "religious" in following God's laws. Instead, many of us are guilty of taking God's grace for granted.

I myself find myself guilty on many counts, especially after reflecting on today's sermon. Almost unconsciously, I have so often downplayed the many failings in my behaviour and character, assuming that I should not be "over-zealous" and "over-righteous"; and also that God's grace is "sufficient" to cover my "weaknesses".

Today's sermon reminded me that I needed to repent. This is no way to treat God's laws. Taking advantage of His mercy and grace is not the way a Christian should live.

Areas of my life that demanded my immediate attention:

(1) Enforcing the spiritual disciplines. It is time for me to stop using my busy life as an excuse for my failings in maintaining a consistent prayer and devotion life. Lack of discipline in this area is simply making a statement that there are areas in my life that takes precedence over my time with God. It should never be.

(2) Self centeredness & a lack of love for people. To be honest, very often, I do not really care if my neighbours and my colleagues die without coming to know Christ. I may not admit it, but often, as long as my own life and that of my loved ones are going well, I simply do not care enough for anyone else. That lack of heart for people is not of the Lord. How can I be a pastor in the marketplace if I lack even the most basic pre-requisite - a shepherd's heart for the people? How often do I pray for the people around me?

(3) Emphasis on godliness, not just respectability. Like what Pastor YC told me...I need to remember that the most important audience of my life is not the people around me, but the Person within me. So what if I "look" respectable in the eyes of the world? Should I be satisfied with that? No. There is still so much filth to get rid of in my heart, my mind. Hidden lusts, anger, envy, materialism. What I secretly yearn for. The world may not see them, but God does.

Time to re-establish God's laws and perimeters in all these areas in my life.
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