True Religion

'With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.' Micah 6:6-8 

What is true Religion?

I have been a Christian for more than 55 years and I consider myself a religious person. But how do I define my Christianity? For the most part, my Christianity has been defined by the things I do, a litany of practices that pronounce my faith:

• Attending church
• Reading the Bible 
• Praying
• Fellowshipping with Christian brothers and sisters
• Leadership in church and other Christian organisations 
• Attending sermons, speeches and seminars
• Evangelism and Crusades
• Reading Christian books
• Serving God in social concerns
• Supporting missions
• Supporting Christian schools
• Giving generously

My Christianity is a series of outward behaviours, as offerings to God. Henry Scougal, a Scottish minister and theologian (1650-1678) in his article entitled, 'The Life of God in the Soul of Man' (Ref 1) wrote of Christians like me, "They are found caught up in a constant round of duties and observances. If they live peacefully with their neighbours, are temperate in their habits, are regularly at worship - both publicly and in their own homes - and sometimes extend themselves to giving to those in need, then they think they have performed sufficiently."

I also define my Christianity by applying my mind to understanding God through the discipline of Bible Study and reading books of the life and writings by the heroes of the faith. I try to understand and defend church doctrines and theology. Henry Scougal's opinion of such Christians practising their faith as "A matter of intellect and understanding and orthodox opinions. The only account they can give of their religion is that they are of this or that theological persuasion or that they have joined one of the many groups (denominations) or sects into which Christiandom is so unhappily divided.

Many friends I know are emotionally devoted and attached to the practice of their prayer, praise and worship. Henry Scougal wrote of them, "Still others are focus on their emotions. They concentrate on spiritual ecstasy in their devotions. All they aim for is to pray with passion, to think of heaven with pleasure, and to be so overwhelmed with a sense of loving God." 

These may be expressions of our religiosity but they are but external expressions; what is needed is an inner transformation. Henry Scougal wrote, "Those things that have any resemblance to true holiness - or are at best the ways in which holiness may be pursued - are frequently mistaken for the real thing." 

What then is true religion? The word 'religion' come from the Latin word 'religare' with 'ligare' deriving the English word ligature. Like ligature this word, 'ligare' means 'to tie fast.' Thus true religion is to join or link God with us. Scougal emphasised this re-tie, "True religion is a union of the soul with God. It is a participation in the divine nature. It is the very image of God drawn upon the soul. In the apostle's words, it is Christ formed in us."

In Micah 6:6-7 two rhetorical questions were asked; the answers to these questions were negative. Displays of religiosity, sacrifices and worship in themselves will not honour God. Micah's great question in verse 8, then is What does God require of us? How can we please God? The answer to that question is to have a relationship with God (to walk humbly with God) and from that relationship to do good by our neighbours (to act justly and love mercy). 

Henry Scougal wrote "The life and power of true religion are better expressed in actions than in words because actions are more lively and better represent the inward principle from which they proceed." It boils down to this; that true religion is to follow the commandment that Jesus later reiterated to the religious leaders and experts of religion of His days 

'Love the Lord Your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength' The second is this: 'Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no greater commandment than these.' Mark 12:30-31

 

With what shall I come before the Lord,

And bow myself before God on high?

Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings,

Shall I come before Him with yearling calves?

Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,

With ten thousand rivers of oil?

Shall I give my first-born for my transgressions,

The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

He has shown you, O man,

He has shown you what is good.

And what does the Lord require of you

But to do justice and to love kindness,

And to walk humbly with your God?

So in the twilight years of life, as we face eternity, we learn to experience God, know Him. We should stop trying to demonstrate the activity of our faith as much as to try to have a inner transformation of Christ in us. Let us offer to God a relationship with him and others as the expression of our true religion.

Lionel 

Ref: Henry Scougal, The Life of God in the Soul of Man. Crossway Short Classics, Crossway 2022 

Set Your Mind On The Kingdom Of God

St Francis in Meditation, San Damiano, Assisi

'But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given you as well.' Matthew 6:33

The Bible, the Word of God, is very interactive with the lives of committed Christians. God speaks to us from the Bible, often referred to as the Living Word. A verse such as Matthew 6:33 impacts differently at different times of our lives, yet remains always relevant as we grow and mature in faith.

There are 2 parts to this verse

• Acquiring the Kingdom - 'Seek the Kingdom'
• Acquiring wealth - 'All these things will be given you.'

With each passing year, my understanding of both these aspects take on different slants and understanding. 

What does it mean to seek first the kingdom of God? I started first by seeking to do God's will, to participate in Christ's ministry, to become involved. Over the years, I served in the church, in charitable organisations, in missions and social concerns; to do God's will. 

But Father John Main, whose advocacy of Christian meditation led to the eventually founding of WCCM (World Community for Christian Meditation), understood this 'seeking first the kingdom' to mean setting our minds on the Kingdom of God. In one of his lead-ups to a time of meditation, John Main mentioned that our minds are often set on all forms of intermediate desires and aims when our one true focus should be only God. He said, 'The moment we go beyond all intermediate desires and desire only God, that is the moment of reality, the moment of enlightenment.' 

And so instead of focusing on the 'doing' I learnt much later on in life, to focus on the 'being' - being in the presence  of God. This is what we are doing in our Quiet Times, in prayer, in silence, in stillness and in meditation. We set our minds on the the kingdom of God, finding God's presence. Whereas Christian Ministry fulfills God's will, Christian Meditation equally fulfills Christ's injunction to seek first His Kingdom.

And sometimes, action comes after meditation as was the experience of St Francis of Assisi. In the 13th Century a young Francis entered the dilapidated church of San Damiano, just outside the city walls of Assisi. He knelt before the San Damiano crucifix in meditative prayer when he heard God's voice telling him that the church was in ruins and asking Francis to rebuilt the church. Francis after his quiet contemplative moment went into action not only to rebuilt the physical church at that location but started a movement to stir up the universal church.

Regarding the second part of Matt 6:33, admittedly, an early intention to seek the kingdom was to acquire wealth and blessings. We conclude that the blessings of wealth and happiness will be our reward as we seek after God. This belief is prevalent with many Christians and has led to teaching of the  prosperity Gospel. While Christian industry may bring much wealth and satisfaction, the verse aims at establishing priority, the priority of pursuing God rather than the pursuit of earthly treasures.

Hence many have interpreted Jesus' statement, 'all these things shall be added unto you, to mean spiritual wealth rather than material wealth. Some, like saints Francis of Assisi and Theresa of Calcutta, chose the paths of poverty instead.

About possessions and wealth, Saint Paul wrote:

'I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with Him.' Philippians 3:7-9 (NLT)

'Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.' Philippians 4:11-13

It is wonderful to see how the Word of God 'grows' on you. I think I now understand what Christ meant in Matthew 6:33 and learned to apply through the quieter and more reflective times of my maturing age. Having been a Christian for so many years, seeking to find and doing the will of God, I realise that whilst Christian service was important in my younger days, Christian meditation and a more contemplative phase begin to take precedence in my maturing years.

  

Seeking the Kingdom of God now means Finding the Presence of God. This song by Don Moen expressed the desire to seek God's presence through Christian meditation,  'I Just Want To Be Where You Are' 

I just want to be where you are

Dwelling daily in your presence

I don't want to worship from afar

Draw me near to where you are

I just want to be where you are

In your dwelling place forever

Take me to the place where you are

I just want to be with you

I want to be where you are

Dwelling in your presence

Feasting at your table

And surrounded by your glory

In your presence

That's where I always want to be

I just want to be

I just want to be with you

I just want to be where you are

Dwelling daily in your presence

I don't want to worship from afar

Draw me near to where you are

Oh my God, you are my strength and my song

And when I'm in your presence

Though I'm weak, you're always strong

I just want to be where you are

In your dwelling place forever

In your dwelling place forever

Take me to the place

Take me to the place where you are

'Cause I just want to be

I just want to be with you

I just want to be

I just want to be with you

Lionel

Don't Put God In The Box

'When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers - the moon and the stars that you set in place -  what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?' Psalm 8:3

Humanity limits Deity. We put God in a box, limiting his infinity to our finiteness. We perceive Him from our limited experiences, confine Him to our world views and expect Him to act within the scope of our personal preferences.

We experience God in the shallows and conceive of him with our shallow minds.  

The prophet Jonah is the Biblical example of such an attitude and behaviour. He first chose to run away from God's mission to preach to the people of Nineveh, a civilisation Jonah considered as evil and corrupt and undeserving of God's mercy and salvation. When that plan was thwarted by God's intervention, Jonah preached reluctantly but was surprised that the Ninevites repented and that God's stayed His hands at destroying the city. 

Jonah then had the audacity to complain about the mercy of God, became depressed and remorseful when his views were not considered. Even when God provide shade in his remorse, he felt that he had the right to complain and took issue with God removing the provided shade.

Jonah's attitude was an example of the pride of religious men who thought they knew better and could opined what God can and cannot do. We confine the Almighty into our own little huddle and box of limited understanding of God's universe. 

God is doing right only if He executed what we planned and conceived. Otherwise we feel that God has let us down. This was the example of the Prophet Elijah in the episodes at Mount Carmel and Mount Horeb (Sinai). 

Elijah had a spectacular, grandstanding show against the prophets of Baal. In dramatic fashion, he challenged them to a contest at Mount Carmel. With the prophets of Baal present, he asked God to bring fire from heaven to consume the altar of his sacrifice. The prophets of Baal called on their gods to do the same to no avail. But for Elijah, the Lord demonstrated His power in vivid drama, by fire which consumed Elijah's sacrifice.

Elijah had the notion that he had clearly demonstrated God's greatness so much so that the people, King Ahab and Queen Jezebel would all repent. He strutted off to the capital city, Jazreel presumably to confront king and people. He was met with indifference, no repentance happened. Instead Jezebel threatened to kill him in 24 hours. This caused Elijah to flee to Mount Horeb not only for protection but to stave off his depression and demand an explanation from God as to why Elijah's grand design did not work. 

There, in a cave on the mountain God ministered to Elijah, gently helping him to recover. God showed Elijah, His presence, not in the hurricane, earthquake nor fire but with a gentle whisper, a still small voice. 

God dealt with Elijah as so often with us, in unexpected ways. In a message entitled the Still Small Voice on 1 Kings 18 and 19, Timothy Keller eloquently expounded on experiences on Mount Carmel and Mount Sinai which is worth listening to. Timothy Keller drew three lessons:

• Do not confine God to your world view.

• God works in all sort of places,  even those not on your map that is where you least expected.

• Don't put God in your box.

Timothy quoted Elizabeth Elliot from her book Through The Gates of Splendor, "God is God and if he is God there is no place except in His will and that will always be immeasurably, unspeakably and infinitely beyond any of your largest notion about what He is about to do."

It is laughable how some of us in our conceit can conceive God. We treat God like a 'Jack in the Box,' a toy some of us had as children. We try to demonstrate God the same way we open up that box, putting up a show to impress. This often can end up being clownish. 

We cannot show God. Only God will show us who He is. Elijah brought down fire from heaven but God comes in whisper.  

Jimmy Owens wrote a song, 'He Cares For Me' that speaks of the greatness of God and a most wonderful truth is that this Almighty God cares for us.

Our God is far greater

Than words can make known

Exalted and holy, He reigns on His throne

In infinite splendour He rules over all

Yet He feeds the poor sparrows

And He knows when they fall

His power is great and will ever endure

His wisdom is peaceable, gentle and pure

But greater than all these glories I see

Is the glorious promise that He cares for me

The earth and the heavens

Are the works of His hands

And billions of angels

Obey His commands

He guides the great galaxies, spinning through space

Yet He gave us His Son as a gift of His grace

He rides the wild heavens

He strides through the sea

The high mountains tremble

To hear His decrees

His voice with great thundering

Sounds from above

But to His own children

He whispers His love

Who are we to say who can or cannot be saved by God? Who are we to choose whom should God care?  God comes in a multiplicity of ways and in a word of grace.

Lionel

A Wideness in God's mercy

'Then Peter replied, "I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation, He accepts those who fear Him and do what is right." Acts 10:34-35

Aldersgate Day, which falls on the 24 May every year, is celebrated by Methodists the world over commemorating John Wesley's great assurance of salvation and the love of God - his heart-warming experience.

This year, 2023, the Methodist Church in Singapore's Aldersgate Theme is 'Love God by Loving your Religious Neighbour.' Why the additional adjective, religious?

There were times when Christians have gone to war with other Christians. And there were times when Christians have gone to war with people of other faiths. Just as Christians were persecuted in early church history, Christians in turn have persecuted people of other faiths including the Jews.

Why the intolerance when clearly Jesus taught us not only to love our neighbours but also our enemies? I suspect that this year's Singapore Aldersgate theme is a warning against intolerance of other religions and to encourage greater mutual respect and cooperation among the various world religions. This interfaith awareness and sensitivity is especially crucial when living in a multi-religious and multi-racial society such as in Singapore. 

Interfaith dialogue promotes understanding and mutual respect between the diverse faiths and need not intend to foster unity and full acceptance of each other's belief. It is simply meant to promote better relations among the races like we used to have when we lived in villages and 'kampongs.'

Historically and today there are generally two common positions Christians take in their acceptance of the different world religions:

• Exclusivism. This approach takes the view that there is salvation only for Christians, that is those who have by faith confess Jesus Christ as their personal saviour. Historically it is the position of Catholicism and Protestantism and is expressed by the Catholic dogma, 'Outside the Church, no salvation' or in Latin, 'extra ecclesiam nulla salus.' This same imperative generally spurred the 18th and 19 Century Protestant missionary movements.

'Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6

• Inclusivism. This approach takes the view that although salvation is brought about by the atoning work of Christ, it is nevertheless available  in principle to all. Devout and good people, 'religious neighbours' of different faiths may without knowing it be included in the universal scope of Christ's salvation. They are anonymous Christians. The narrative in Acts Chapter 10 suggests that the centurion, Cornelius was right before God prior to his conversion and before he accepted Peter's teaching and received the Holy Spirit.

'One day at about three in the afternoon, he (Cornelius) had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, "Cornelius!" Cornelius stared at him in fear. "What is it, Lord? he asked. The angel answered, "your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God." Acts 10:4

 "Then Peter began to speak: "I now realise how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right." Acts 10: 34-35

John Wesley wrote on his notes on the Book of Acts, "He that first reverences God as great, wise, good, the cause, end and governor of all things well, and secondly from this awful regard to Him, not only avoids all known evil, but endeavours according to the best light he has, to do all things well; is accepted of God - through Christ, though he knows Christ not. The assertion is express, and admits no exception. He is in the favour of God, whether enjoying His written word and ordinances or not." 

Despite his relentless preaching of the Gospel, it seems to me, that John Wesley did not assume that the good religious person is already condemned but in his words, 'is accepted of God, through Christ, though he knows Christ not.'

Jesus in His ministry on earth, broke all racial, cultural and religious barriers set up by the self-righteous Jews. He reached out to the

• Samaritans - John 4:4-7
• Romans - Luke 7:1-10
• Canaanites - Matthew 15:21-28
• Decapolis, Syria - Mark 7:31-37

In His life on earth, Jesus bridged the gap with people of many faith. He spoke out against the jaundiced views of the religious leaders of the times.

Whichever our position, Exclusivism or Inclusivism, we should not restrict God's mercy nor limit it. It is entirely God's prerogative to forgive and save sinners. The Lord will judge and dispense justice, it is not for us to make the call. 

There is a hymn, 'There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy' which celebrates the expense of God’s love mercy–'like the wideness of the sea.' This hymn was written by Frederick William Faber a Catholic priest who converted to Catholicism from his original Anglican faith. He is known for composing the more familiar hymn, 'Faith of Our Fathers.' 

This hymn declares God’s welcome for the sinner and the good person alike. It tells us not to allow our finite minds to limit God's infinite love and mercy. It reminds us that 'the love of God is broader than the measure of our mind.'

In our dealings with our religious but non-Christian neighbours let us broaden the measure of our own love so that it might be more like God’s love. 

 

There's a wideness in God's mercy,

like the wideness of the sea;

there's a kindness in his justice

which is more than liberty.

There is no place where earth's sorrows

are more felt than up in heaven:

there is no place where earth's failings

have such gracious judgement given.

For the love of God is broader

than the measure of our mind;

and the heart of the eternal

is most wonderfully kind.

But we make His love too narrow

By false limits of our own

And we magnify His strictness

With a zeal He will not own

There is plentiful redemption

through the blood that Christ has shed;

there is joy for all the members

in the sorrows of the head.

There is grace enough for thousands

Of new worlds as great as this

There is room for fresh creations

In the upper home of bliss

If our love were but more simple,

we should take Him at His word;

and our lives would be illumined,

In the joy of Christ our Lord.

Frederick William Faber said, “Kindness has converted more sinners than zeal, eloquence, or learning.”

Lionel

Inspired by the Aldersgate sermons of

Bishop (Dr) Gordon Wong, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore

Rev Lui Yuan Tze, Pastor, Charis Methodist Church Singapore