Discernment And Faithfulness
BRD REFLECTIONS:
Galatians 1 and Psalm 54 (NIV)
(Koh Choon Chye, Mandarin Ministry Worship leader & Outreach leader )
READ:
As I read Galatians 1 and Psalm 54, the verses and phrases that made a strong impression on me were:
Psalm 54
- v3: Arrogant foes are attacking me;
ruthless people are trying to kill me
– people without regard for God.
- v7: You have delivered me from all my troubles,
and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.
Galatians 1
- v6: I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-
- v7: which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.
- v23: They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”
OBSERVE:
- A false Gospel leads to confusion. Paul was astonished at how fast and quickly the Gospel of Christ was altered, leading to confusion. This is a reminder that false teachings will always exist. Look at our world now: there are many deviations from the Gospel leading to deception.
- People without regard for God may not necessarily be those who are bad or ruthless. They can be someone with a heart that is hardened towards God. They could include our colleagues, friends and family members who are pre-believers.
- Saul was transformed to Paul (Galatians 1:23), from one persecuting the church of God to becoming one of the most important figures of the Apostolic age. Only God can work such a miraculous transformation, which inspired the church of Judea. This has also inspired and motivated me personally in my Christian life.
- Psalm 54:7 reminds me to stay faithful and not be afraid. God can transform me just like how he transformed Saul to Paul.
APPLY:
- Discerning the correct teachings of the Gospel is critical. So much information online is like a double-edged sword. As I spend much time online, I need to pray for discernment and wisdom whenever I come across any teachings.
- Reach out to the people around me who may have a hardened heart and those who have a wrong perception of Christianity. Do not be afraid and pray for courage to share the Gospel with them. Reach out to the least, the last and the lost and share the love of our Lord with them.
- Be like Paul and not Saul. Be zealous in serving God not Man.
- Remain faithful and trust in God wholeheartedly to serve in the ministry I have been called to.
DO:
I need to:
- Be discerning about any Christian teachings that I come across and seek God when I am not sure.
- Free up my time to plan and participate in more Mandarin Ministry outreach activities to reach out to the least, the last and the lost.
- Be zealous in spending more quiet time with God to develop a more intimate relationship with Him.
- Continuously reach out to my dad who has a hardened heart towards Christianity, without being afraid or giving up.
PRAY:
Father God, thank you for your unwavering love. You have never given up on me even when there were times I have slackened in my journey of faith. Help me to have a discerning heart when learning your Word and any other teachings. With a correct understanding of your Word, I can be confident to reach out to those who have yet to know your goodness. Grant me wisdom to lead and build up the Outreach team in the Mandarin Ministry as I am new. Guide and journey with me as I continue to serve in the Mandarin Ministry committee. Lord, I pray that you will soften the heart of my dad and that he may be open to accepting Christ. In Jesus’ most precious name, Amen.
