::Monday, January 07, 2008::
:: my earnest plea.. ::
Year 2008 is a new year. Months down the year, we will see it as a boring year. And close to the end of the year, we will see it as meaningless year. Will it be so?
All these years, it has been a burden in me to encourage shom members in the Lord. Particularly because of my past experience, it is God's will and plan for me to be so. Nevertheless, it has been a burden in me to encourage shom members to contend for the faith. The teachings of God's Word is the fruit of our faith. How can we say that we are contending for the faith we are holding while neglecting the fruit?
To be honest, this year could be my last term as a leader in shomerim. It dawns on me to share something from my heart.
I felt very sad when fellow brethren do not have the spirit to defend the faith. Or rather, to defend the fruit of our faith.
When the VPP issues arose amidst life bp church and febc, my heart speedily raced. It was a passion, not to be the strongest, to contend for my faith. I read deeply into the issues and almost wanted to visit the original manuscript in different countries. This was the battle I was called into to stand up for my Lord. Have we done so in Tabernacle? Or perhaps Shomerim? How often have we stood firmly for it? Yes, it is open to everyone to have different conviction given to the measure of faith. Remember the mother and son story I illustrated previously? Between cobra and bread? Are we giving two options? Or are we holding the truth and not willing to share with others? Are we telling others that the cobra is bad and that we are not sincere in it? Or we are not sincere in reminding others that cobra is bad? It is very encouraging to see fellow youths swearing the dean burgon oath. The adults are not alone in it. The youths have sweared into the battlefront and fight for what is true. It is not hidden from anyone or have forgotten about it. It remains a constant reminder and lesson for us to remember and learn. So that one day, when such issues arise in home, church and workplace, we can firmly stand for our Lord. We stand not for anyone but for our Lord!
Where is the spirit to defend our faith? Where is the spirit to defend the fruits of our faith? If the leaders are asked to swear the dean burgon oath, are we ready for it? If shomerim is asked to swear the dean burgon oath, are we ready for it? Shomerim has a long history considering agape and care and share. Are we still absorbing doctrines and have not yet engraved deep conviction in our hearts?
Partly, it was my fault. I have failed to encourage everyone to do so: to stand firmly for the truth, even to the point of swearing it into our hearts.
Dean Burgon Oath:
“The Bible is none other than the voice of Him that sitteth upon the Throne! Every Book of it, every chapter of it, every verse of it, every word of it, every syllable of it, every letter of it, is the direct utterance of the Most High! The Bible is none other than the Word of God: not some part of it more, some part of it less; but all alike, the utterance of Him who sitteth upon the Throne; faultless, unerring, supreme!”
The Word of God says, "This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded. If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth." - Numbers 30:1-2
For article on VPP, read Dr. Khoo's book on "Kept pure in all ages".
Till my last moment on my death bed, may the Lord help me and those who has taken this oath to be faithful and remain true to our Lord. If you have this conviction in your life, than I really thank God. For there's no greater joy in me for shomerim but to see fellow youths declaring and swearing firmly on God's truth! This is my prayer for shomerim this year.
>>shared by+my life - God = broken pencil+
on 23:34.
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