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

For the Beauty of the Earth

Aurora Borealis, Alta Norway 26 Oct 2019

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." Psalms 19:1 

On a cruise up the Norwegian coast to the Arctic Circle, Pat and I  were fortunate to see the  Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights. It was a spectacular display on the night sky. It is visible as dancing white-green clouds but if seen through the screen of mobile phones, IPad, using special camera apps, the colours become more vibrant with tinges of yellow and red in a largely green spectral background. 

I discovered that the Northern Lights experience is very unique to earth. The solar winds/storms emanate from the core of the sun and hurtle through the universe passing through the various planets as strong electromagnetic waves. However when reaching earth, these waves are deflected by earth's thin magnetic field, pass the earth by  and then are re-deflected backwards to the north and south poles.

Deflection of the Solar Wind

These re-deflected  waves now become visible in the visual spectrum especially the colour green. If the strong solar winds are not deflected it could cause havoc to earth's electronic and electrical systems as well as causing deleterious health effects. 

After  witnessing the Northern Lights, I cannot help but appreciate God's grace in enabling us to see the beautiful colours while at the same time protecting us from harmful effects. How fortunate for us! What a joy to be God's people and creation.   

Indeed when viewing these wonders of nature, we are confronted with an undeniable fact, how great is our God! God is ever present. We experience intertwining relationships, God with us and we with His creation, the good earth. We are reminded of two fundamental affirmations (Ref 1)  

    

• The earth is the Lord’s by creation

'The earth is the Lord's and everything in it, the world and all who live in it.' Psalm 24:1

• The earth is given to the human race by delegation

'The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth He has given to mankind.' Psalm 115:16

·    Nature can teach us many things.

 

Psalms 19:2 states "Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night night they revealed  knowledge." 

T   William Wordsworth understood this revelation. He wrote in "Tintern Abbey", 

For I have learned

To look on nature, not as in the hour

Of thoughtless youth; but hearing oftentimes

The still sad music of humanity,

Nor harsh nor grating, though of ample power

To chasten and subdue.—And I have felt

A presence that disturbs me with the joy

Of elevated thoughts; a sense sublime

Of something far more deeply interfused,

Whose dwelling is the light of setting suns,

And the round ocean and the living air,

And the blue sky, and in the mind of man:

A motion and a spirit, that impels

All thinking things, all objects of all thought,

And rolls through all things. 

     Wordsworth found God in the inspiration of nature, the Beauty of the Earth

For the beauty of the earth

For the glory of the skies

For the love which from our birth

Over an around us lies

Over and around us lies

Lord of all, to Thee we raise

This our joyful hymn of praise

For the beauty of each hour

Of the day and of the night

Hill and vale and tree and flow'r

Sun and moon and stars of light

Sun and moon and stars of light

For the joy of human love

Brother, sister, parent, child

Friends on earth and friends above

For all gentle thought and mild

For all gentle thoughts and mild

For each perfect gift of Thine

To our race so freely given

Graces human and divine

Flow'rs of earth and buds of heav'n

Flow'rs of earth and buds of heav'n

      
   Lionel

L

   Ref 1: John Stott, The Radical Disciple, Inter-varsity Press, 2010

Driven By The Breath of God

Waves hitting the Twelve Apostles Coast, Melbourne

"People will respect the name of the Lord … for He will come like a raging flood tide driven by the breath of the Lord." Isaiah 59:19

We envision that God will speak to us in a still small voice. He often does but there will be times when God can be relentless, coming at us with power and emphasis like the waves of the ocean crashing upon the rocks. The Bible clearly informs that 'the Breath of God' will be driving us towards God's purposes: What has it done and what will it do?  

The breath of God informs, instructs and commands. The Prophet Jeremiah wrote, 

"Is not my word like fire declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks a rock to pieces". Jer. 23:29. 

A friend shared this verse nearly 50 years ago and it has left a very lasting impression on me. My friend said to me that sometimes when reading God's Word, he would have a headache because it would be repeated again and again in his mind. Paul wrote that 

“All scripture is breathed out by God” (2 Timothy 3:16). 

This remarkable phrase about the breath of God gives us a look into the intertwining relationship between God and Scripture. Therefore, bible reading and study should not be trivialised because the Bible will open up to us the lessons of life. 

The breath of God creates life. There is a special relationship, an affinity, between God and Man.

 

"The Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and the man became a living creature" Gen 2:7.

God breathed into man and gave him life. Man was formed in the image of God. This relationship is priceless and described elsewhere in the Bible as a 'Pearl of Great Price'. However when man rebelled against God and sinned, this relationship was broken, the pearl was lost. The broken connection was restored when we become Christians and now we must live as if we are reflections of God's image.

The breath of God lifts up the Church. Ezekiel painted a dramatic picture of raising an army from lifeless and dry bones in the desert. 

"I will make breath enter you and you will come to life. Come from the four winds, O Breath, and breathe on these slain, that they will come to life. I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord have spoken and done it." Ezekiel 37:5,9,14

Like a mighty army moves the church of God. God is spurring us on as a church in triumph. But the lively and triumphant church begins with the single person who has the Holy Spirit in him. The Holy Spirit can empower the Christian to accomplish God's purposes. 

Let us ask the Holy Spirit to begin God's great work in us: 'Breathe on Me, Breath of God.'

1. Breathe on me, Breath of God,
   Fill me with life anew,
   That I may love what Thou dost love,
   And do what Thou wouldst do.
2. Breathe on me, Breath of God,
   Until my heart is pure,
   Until with Thee I will one will,
   To do and to endure.
3. Breathe on me, Breath of God,
   Till I am wholly Thine,
   Until this earthly part of me
   Glows with Thy fire divine.
4. Breathe on me, Breath of God,
   So shall I never die,
   But live with Thee the perfect life
   Of Thine eternity.

Lionel

Updated 1st published 29 Dec 2019

You've Got A Friend

"Greater love has no one than this; to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends.." John 15:13-14a

Songwriters write songs of love and romance. Seldom do they write about friendships; the pure and warm relationships of sisterly or brotherly love. Christians call this Agape, a love that comes from God. 

One of my favourite songs is "You've Got a Friend" written by Carole King. It is rare to find a song expressing the special relationship between friends without tingeing it with expressions of romance and love. Carole stated that "the song was as close to pure inspiration as I've ever experienced. The song wrote itself. It was written by something outside myself, through me."

One can understand why Carole felt that way. The words, simple in themselves, convey a pure down to earth message.

When you're down and troubled
And you need a helping hand
And nothing, nothing is going right
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest night

You just call out my name

And you know wherever I am
I'll come running, oh yeah baby, to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you've got to do is call
And I'll be there, ye, ye, ye
You've got a friend

If the sky above you
Grows dark and full of clouds
And that old north wind begins to blow
Keep your head together
And call my name out loud
Soon you'll hear me knockin' at your door

For a long time I felt quite uncomfortable with Agape, the Christian concept of brotherly or sisterly love. If a certain fondness develop towards another brother or sister, I would instantly recoil from it, fearful that such relationships could lead to romantic attachments or nuances. So my relationships with the ladies tend to be superficial and at arms length. As a result the same superficiality is applied to friendships with men.

With time, however, I learnt that striking up deep and sincere friendships need not be a taboo. I started making very good friends without worrying about giving wrong impressions. Friendship can be a distinctively personal relationship that is grounded in a concern of each friend for the welfare and well being of the other. One need not fear it or shrink from it. How else would long lasting friendships be made?

Friendship started with God Himself. At creation God extended His hands toward humanity and sought the company of those He created. This special relationship was broken by the original sin and adulterated with the Fall. Some may fear to make good friends as we fear what is good and pure can become soiled. 

Thus good friends are hard to find. If made, they will stick as close to you as family, yet make space when needed. In moments of weakness they will be there to strengthen you. When life falls apart they do not forsake you. Albert Schweitzer once said, "At times our light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame in us". 

That is why at every New Year's Eve, we sing the song Auld Lang Syne. The lyrics come from a poem written by the great Scottish poet, Robert Burns in 1788. It is set to an old folk tune which Robert Burns apparently rediscovered. The poem consists of rhetorical questions on friendships best illustrated by this version from James Watson.

Should old acquaintance be forgot
and never thought upon?
The flames of Love extinguished,
and fully past and gone?
Is thy sweet heart now grown so cold,
that loving breast of thine?
That thou canst never once reflect
On old long syne?

The song is often sung over many a tankard of ale or jug of beer. When Auld Lang Syne is sung, one must be completely drunk or dead if one cannot appreciate the value of reconnecting with old friends and thinking about old times.

Let's celebrate friendship!

Lionel

Updated 1st published 22 Dec 2019

Walk A Mile In My Shoes

Building Bridges

"Love must be sincere... Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:9-11

The ease of connectivity through the Internet has resulted in lesser face to face encounters. Thus, despite the phenomenal improvement in communications technology, people still find themselves isolated, lonely and misunderstood. Virtual conversations do not show endearing, emotional expressions and human communication skills used in conversations, letter writing and telephone calls.  They are  replaced by terse and short sentences over texting and Twitter. Such communications can unintentionally appear harsh and abrupt. Misunderstanding can arise because we do not spend enough time in meaningful, bridge-building conversations. 

One family example, the Lee Family communicates everyday through the WhatsApp three -continents conversations, Singapore, Australia and the United Kingdom. However, when sitting at a table with my grandchildren at their Marlborough home or in a restaurant, I would soon be adrift fiddling with my iPhone. So I decided that in order to get close to any of my three grandchildren, I would walk a mile with them to school every morning whenever I am staying with them in the UK.

Elvis Presley sang a song written in 1969 by Joe South entitled ‘Walk A Mile In My Shoes’ which suggested that true friendships can be built by stepping into each other shoes and seeing each other through the eyes of the other person. That is empathy! 

"If I could be you, if you could be me for just one hour

If we could find a way to get inside each other's mind

If you could see you through my eyes instead your own ego

I believe you'd be surprised to see that you've been blind, Mmm

Walk a mile in my shoes, just walk a mile in my shoes

Before you abuse, criticize and accuse

Then walk a mile in my shoes"

In trying to understand each other, we reveal ourselves and enable a reciprocal reaction. Understanding things, principles and concepts are very different from understanding people. Understanding people is possible only at a very personal and emotive level. The more deeply we understand other people, the more appreciative we are of them. We cannot achieve this by just communicating through the Internet. We need face to face personal interactions. We build bridges.  This is costly; we pay not only with our time and effort but also with our privacy, pride and ego.

Many think that 'walking a mile in my shoes' mean active engagement, doing something with that person. This is not always necessary. Often it is only about being there for and with that person, spending time in silence. I recall spending time with a Christian brother while his newborn son was undergoing surgery for a severe congenital heart condition. I heard of the birth of his son and the rush to surgery. I went to the waiting room, found my friend sitting all alone and just sat with him in near silence for the four over hours of the operation. Only the two of us, in silent prayer for the boy during the surgery.     

That was a true and treasured experience of empathy for a friend. I do not know how encouraged he was but I was ministered to as I spent those hours of silence in his shoes. 

The Bible adds the idea of love among friends, "Be devoted to one another in love".  It then states that "Love must be sincere." Sincere means proceeding from genuine feelings, free from pretense or deceit. It is a deep feeling and from the heart. The Bible asks us to spur one another towards love and good deeds.  

'And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds' Hebrews 10:24a

'So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.'

This rendition of 'You Raise Me Up,' is a one of the best expressions of empathy. 

Let us walk miles in each other shoes!

Lionel

Updated 1st published 15 Dec 2019