Many Christians Aspire, Few Attain
Many Christians desire to and even aspire
to serve the Lord during their pilgrimage
on earth. They love their Lord and they are
grateful for what He has done for their
lives, having been changed from something
ash-like (useless, meaningless, purpose-
less) to something joyful and full of
purpose and meaning in life.
Well and good if that can be sustained
in the long haul. In reality, however,
it’s unfortunate that our usefulness
can be stopped short just when we are
performing at our peak, as it has
happened to so many. Of the Christians
mentioned above, there’s a significant
proportion which will never make it to
do what the Lord laid on their hearts
to do. Not because of lack of resources
or time or determination in many cases,
but simply because of the lack of health
or time left on earth to accomplish
what some of them wish for so long to do.
No doubt, Scripture exhorts us to do
everything “with your might.” (Eccl 9:10)
But how can we do anything let alone doing
it with our might, when we are stricken
with so many physical, emotional and even
mental handicaps?
A recent article in the Straits Times titled,
“Singaporeans Live Longer but Suffer
8 years of Poor Health” may cause some
surprises and pull some heart strings. This fact,
I believe, is not confined to Singapore alone
but is replicated throughout the civilized
world. In addition, WHO (World Health
Organization) said the world’s population
spends an average of 11.6% of their lives in
a disability. What does that mean for you and
me? It means that we lose 8 or more years in
disability and/or poor performance for Christ,
the Savior of our soul. It also entails our
losing the most useful years of our lives in
terms of spiritual maturity as well as personal
knowledge and experiences---to say the least---
in the service of God and man.
What good can we be if we get a stroke for
instance and be confined to a wheelchair,
always needing the services of another,
instead of being of service to our fellow men?
Not much good!
If so, how then can so many of us attain
what we set out to do? The solution is
obvious: Total health is vital, not just
spiritual health (it’s very unfortunate
that so many Christians are unconcerned
or unaware of how they can make a
difference to their own physical, mental,
emotional and even social health, but they
love to play up the spiritual aspect---
nothing wrong with that---but fail to do
something concrete about building the
other aspects of health in their lives;
this is where I believe the Church has
failed miserably!). We must address this
problem, or else we might face rejection
by the living God!
....Please ponder over
this and carefully consider my blog,
to serve the Lord during their pilgrimage
on earth. They love their Lord and they are
grateful for what He has done for their
lives, having been changed from something
ash-like (useless, meaningless, purpose-
less) to something joyful and full of
purpose and meaning in life.
Well and good if that can be sustained
in the long haul. In reality, however,
it’s unfortunate that our usefulness
can be stopped short just when we are
performing at our peak, as it has
happened to so many. Of the Christians
mentioned above, there’s a significant
proportion which will never make it to
do what the Lord laid on their hearts
to do. Not because of lack of resources
or time or determination in many cases,
but simply because of the lack of health
or time left on earth to accomplish
what some of them wish for so long to do.
No doubt, Scripture exhorts us to do
everything “with your might.” (Eccl 9:10)
But how can we do anything let alone doing
it with our might, when we are stricken
with so many physical, emotional and even
mental handicaps?
A recent article in the Straits Times titled,
“Singaporeans Live Longer but Suffer
8 years of Poor Health” may cause some
surprises and pull some heart strings. This fact,
I believe, is not confined to Singapore alone
but is replicated throughout the civilized
world. In addition, WHO (World Health
Organization) said the world’s population
spends an average of 11.6% of their lives in
a disability. What does that mean for you and
me? It means that we lose 8 or more years in
disability and/or poor performance for Christ,
the Savior of our soul. It also entails our
losing the most useful years of our lives in
terms of spiritual maturity as well as personal
knowledge and experiences---to say the least---
in the service of God and man.
What good can we be if we get a stroke for
instance and be confined to a wheelchair,
always needing the services of another,
instead of being of service to our fellow men?
Not much good!
If so, how then can so many of us attain
what we set out to do? The solution is
obvious: Total health is vital, not just
spiritual health (it’s very unfortunate
that so many Christians are unconcerned
or unaware of how they can make a
difference to their own physical, mental,
emotional and even social health, but they
love to play up the spiritual aspect---
nothing wrong with that---but fail to do
something concrete about building the
other aspects of health in their lives;
this is where I believe the Church has
failed miserably!). We must address this
problem, or else we might face rejection
by the living God!
....Please ponder over
this and carefully consider my blog,
posted by Ray Chee at
7:37 PM
2 Comments:
Besides spiritual, we need physical, intellectual and holistic health. I agree. Some are on their high horses holding their Bibles in hand, passing judgement and think they already have a place in heaven. Do you call this blind faith?
By
Anonymous, at 3:54 PM
Hi Mr/Ms Anonymous,
I’m pleased you agree with me on the fact that the four main areas, viz., spiritual, physical, intellectual, emotional health—in short, holistic health—is vital for all of us. It definitely is not easy to find a healthy balance all of the time, is it?
Truly, I have no credentials to answer your question here. You should have addressed that to a minister of God. But, I’ll try my best to do it here. Forgive me if I do not answer your question well; I only belong to laity.
Yes, you are right! Not all those who stand up on the pulpit preaching the high things of God, or merely saying, “Jesus is my Lord or Master” will enter Heaven. Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21). And these people may be performing miracles, prophesying, driving out demons, and perhaps doing all the other Christian things.
“think they already have a place in heaven”?
Can one really THINK one’s way to heaven? Certainly, not! The Bible never teaches that!
It’s by repentance through faith that they will go there—yes, you CAN go, and KNOW that you WILL go, to Heaven! But what will get us there? Faith in a loving Heavenly Father who gave His Best, His Only Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for man’s sin—penalty we, sinful people, so deserved. Jesus Christ, the Righteous and Holy One, was sinless, and so because He did not commit any sin, He satisfied God’s wrath as the perfect substitute for the sin of mankind. Jesus was indeed the Lamb of God, the once-and-for-all-times- and the one-and-only- PERFECT-sacrifice that was able to justify all those (EVERYONE in this world, INCLUDING YOU and me) who believe in Him of their sin problem. “In him (Jesus Christ) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace….
In Him we have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through His blood, the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses (shortcomings and trespasses), in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor,
For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved ( R3 delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God;
Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law's demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.]
In fact, He—the eternal Son of God—BECAME sin that those who believe in Him might be made the righteousness of God (2 Cor 5:21); this is grace so amazing!
If those people are basing their faith in their own abilities, power or whatever, other than what the Word of God teaches us, then, yes, I would call that “blind faith.” This is because the Bible says, we are ALL lost sheep; and lost sheep will never know how to find their way back to the shepherd. We NEED a shepherd!! Thank God, the Shepherd of our souls sought us out, and gave us, believers in Him, eternal life.
Jesus: “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep…I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep… My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” (John 10:7, 9, 10,11, 27-30) Eternal life is Yours! Receive it NOW!“passing judgement”?
The Bible says we are not to judge others, lest we be judged (Matt 7:7). We judge at our own risk. God forbids that I should judge anyone. May God help me not to do that. I know that it is easy to say things that may offend when you are writing so much. By the way, please feel free to let me know if I have unknowingly offended anyone in my blogs, or if anything needs improvement.
God will be the ultimate Judge. He judges justly. The Word of God that speaks of judgement to come stands, and we do well to heed it. Jesus, the Bible says, when He comes the second time—and He will—He will not come to save the world because He has already done that. His second coming will be to judge the world.
Even so it is that Christ, having been offered to take upon Himself and bear as a burden the sins of many once and once for all, will appear a second time, not to carry any burden of sin nor to deal with sin, but to bring to full salvation those who are [eagerly, constantly, and patiently] waiting for and expecting Him. (Heb 9:28)
For we know him who said, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge his people." (Heb 10:30)
…the Lord, the righteous judge, will… (2 Tim 4:8)
We can rest assure that He will be righteous in all His judgement.
NOTE: I did not say all the above! I have no right or power or authority to make any such statement! I’m merely quoting or regurgitating what I consider is the authority in my life, the Word of the Living God.
Kind Regards,
Ray
By
Ray Chee, at 3:08 PM
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