Second Epiphany
Today is a heavy day for me. I come to another realization after watching the sermon by Rev. Dr. William Wan on "How to live as a Christian in a VUCA World".
Last time, I think of Christianity as a cheerful and happy and easy religion. I couldn't stop thinking why others do not want to come to Christianity. Christianity not only teach how to be good, but promise Heaven to those who believe in Jesus. And this promise is not an empty, made up promise. There was an actual established fact based on historical event that the Person who started this "movement", which what we called Christianity, did come to Earth, did die and did raised from His death. His words, His promise became trustworthy words as soon as He appeared to 500 people after His resurrection.
So Christianity, yeah... it is a real deal. And the way to God, is through Jesus. As long as you believe, you have access to God.
But hold on a moment! It is not that simple after all. God does want ALL to enter Heaven. That is His utmost desire for us. But not everyone, if not, most people won't enter Heaven, not because they are banished by God, not because they can't, but because they CHOOSE not to go. Why? because to stay on the path is difficult, the requirement to follow Jesus is ridiculously difficult. God never meant for Heaven to be easy to enter. He wishes He can make it easy, He wishes He can widened the Narrow Gate. But He knows that by doing that, He won't have true, sincere, genuine people. And I am guessing, if He does that, the Satan, the rebellion will happen again.
If I think about what I have read in the Bible, there is nowhere in the Bible where Jesus sugar coat the "entry requirement" to enter the Heaven. So when my cell group leader was giving us pointers for discussion later, I come to a realization that as a Christian, I do not have to sugar coat Christianity to others. In fact, I shouldn't!
We teach God's words as it is. Of course we have to teach in sensitivity, in love, not bombard and guilt trip the person. After all, as difficult as it may be, we want to "catch" as many people as we can.
At the end of it all, we can only worry that much, we can only do so much and we can only convince people that much. God is the One who pulls His people to Himself and the Holy Spirit is the One who convince His people about the truth. And Jesus is the One who set the example for us on how to behave, what to say and what to do in any kind of situations. We do not need to think of new ways, just do what Jesus has taught.
Last time, I think of Christianity as a cheerful and happy and easy religion. I couldn't stop thinking why others do not want to come to Christianity. Christianity not only teach how to be good, but promise Heaven to those who believe in Jesus. And this promise is not an empty, made up promise. There was an actual established fact based on historical event that the Person who started this "movement", which what we called Christianity, did come to Earth, did die and did raised from His death. His words, His promise became trustworthy words as soon as He appeared to 500 people after His resurrection.
So Christianity, yeah... it is a real deal. And the way to God, is through Jesus. As long as you believe, you have access to God.
But hold on a moment! It is not that simple after all. God does want ALL to enter Heaven. That is His utmost desire for us. But not everyone, if not, most people won't enter Heaven, not because they are banished by God, not because they can't, but because they CHOOSE not to go. Why? because to stay on the path is difficult, the requirement to follow Jesus is ridiculously difficult. God never meant for Heaven to be easy to enter. He wishes He can make it easy, He wishes He can widened the Narrow Gate. But He knows that by doing that, He won't have true, sincere, genuine people. And I am guessing, if He does that, the Satan, the rebellion will happen again.
If I think about what I have read in the Bible, there is nowhere in the Bible where Jesus sugar coat the "entry requirement" to enter the Heaven. So when my cell group leader was giving us pointers for discussion later, I come to a realization that as a Christian, I do not have to sugar coat Christianity to others. In fact, I shouldn't!
We teach God's words as it is. Of course we have to teach in sensitivity, in love, not bombard and guilt trip the person. After all, as difficult as it may be, we want to "catch" as many people as we can.
At the end of it all, we can only worry that much, we can only do so much and we can only convince people that much. God is the One who pulls His people to Himself and the Holy Spirit is the One who convince His people about the truth. And Jesus is the One who set the example for us on how to behave, what to say and what to do in any kind of situations. We do not need to think of new ways, just do what Jesus has taught.
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