barriers

Sunday, June 17, 2007 T: 19 03

It saddens me how Christians could quarrel among themselves, saddens me to see how those who called themselves to be the body of Christ would divide themselves, right even early church when Christians argued between following Paul and Apollos. It saddens me how we seem to have that sinful inclination to create even more barriers to overcome, as if those already present are not a strain on us. Many a times, I heard the same question from my non-Christian friends. ‘Why is it that we seem to have so many factions, so many types, the Methodist… the Charismatic… the Pentecostal… the Baptist… the Presbyterian and so on?’ I never really know a good answer, except that we are still all the same, that we believe in the same God, the same salvation. Are we? We can’t ignore the fact that each of these denominations have different administrative systems, different perspectives to the various doctrines in the Bible, different practices, and different emphasis. The only consolation is that we have Jesus Christ who is central no matter what. That at least makes us one, but we can’t pretend that a certain skepticism and wariness between people from different denominations, possibly even different churches, are non-existent.

Lately, much debating about the name of my youth group is going on. For me, I see in it nothing except pointlessness and futility. After all, I don’t think such names matter at all, for we are all the same in the body of Christ. If a name will grant identity and that sense of belonging, isn’t to be called a Christian, child of God better than any other names we come up with? If a name will make it easier to attract other non-Christians and an uninteresting name like STAR would not, then isn’t it better for it to be just called Youth Ministry, and not some abbreviations which one has to further explain, at the same time not having to be concerned about the baggage ‘PUNJ’ is carrying and the uninspiring nature of ‘STAR’? Instead, we find a line drawn across the room, separating the entire huge group of people sitting together initially into two. We find ourselves wondering why others could not see our point of view, wondering why the democratic system that is implemented turns out to be so flawed. Before we know it, we have successfully divided ourselves again. Perhaps I’m exaggerating the problem, but the utter meaninglessness of it all, in this reality that will soon fade away, does not make sense to me. Or could someone else enlighten me?

A friend was commenting after the session. He questioned the usefulness of democracy, especially about such issues, taking into account also the voters involved. After if the democratic voting isn’t chosen as a solution, would there be such worries? Perhaps if left to be independent in such matters, the church would only be torn apart because of diverse perspectives and opinions. Instead it would be better to let the church leaders, chosen by the church, to take the responsibility. Even so, chaos would arise if the leaders themselves came to a dispute. And if voting is still to be used, perhaps only when a higher percentage of people are in agreement, then could a decision be made. At least, the church would not be torn into half.

The Great Commission in Matthew is for us to go forth and spread the good news of Christ, as I have seen in my bible study today. The greatest commission, if I may suggest, is the greatest commandment in Mark 12 – to love God and love thy neighbor. Barriers are erected simply as a result of sin, as a result of the lack of love. And so, as people who called ourselves to be followers of the Cross, are we be able to give up our selfishness and be others-centered? Are we able to look at another Christian in the eye and acknowledge him or her whole-heartedly as a fellow brother and sister? Are we even trying to be our best, out of our love for Christ and what He has done? I don’t think the gospel as presented to us in the Bible is some ‘feel good’ brainwashing. Rather the foundation of Christianity is that we are all unworthy and undeserving (Total Depravity), but the beauty of grace is that it makes life not fair in favor of us, that Christ willing died for us. Are we able to forgive as the Lord has forgiven us, love as the Lord has loved us? Do we try to, instead of letting the anger and frustration dominate us? Can we love the people who we do not like? How are we even treating our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ? It’s human nature to let our mundane wants and desires to get the better of us, but do we see ourselves changing? I think repentance is no least important than accepting that Jesus has died for you.

We are Christians. Words like ‘chosen’ and ‘predestined’ and ‘selected’ are not foreign to us. We are supposed to be different from the rest, to be set apart from the rest. Then why are we so concerned about what others think of us?

神吊侠侣∶

“哪知道周伯通天真烂漫， 匈中更无半点机心， 虽天性好武， 却从无争雄扬名的念头， 决没想到自己是否该算五绝之一。 黄药师笑道：“老顽童啊老顽童， 你当真了不起。 我黄老邪对‘名’淡泊， 一灯大师‘名’为虚幻， 只有你， 却心中空空荡荡， 本来就不存‘名’之一念， 可比我们高出一筹了。”

I think I’m not contextualizing the above passage a little, but it will be my hope that let names be the least of our worries. However let us seek to always put the interests of others in front of ours, not easy I know, but we’ll get there someday.