It has grieved many Malaysians and without doubt, it must have grieved our Lord. The political landscape here had turned so ugly. Fabricated lies filled the media minute after minute. Truth has been distorted to cover those in authority. When I read the article by RPK yesterday, my eyes swelled with tears. He wrote what may appear to be his last article to fellow Malaysians as his case was being tried in court today. However, the hearing was postponed to next Monday. Perhaps he will prepare another last words to us.
The sensational news of partially nude pictures of Selangor’s state assemblywoman took prominence in the news. I do not know why Malaysian politics has fallen into such depths of unethical portrayal but since when is sleeping in the nude in the privacy of one’s own room become a sin? Clearly it is a desperate attempt of some quarters that has nothing else better to do but to stir confusion, attention, and cheap publicity for themselves.
However,
Negaraku, tanah tumpahnya darahku
Rakyat hidup, bersatu dan maju
Rahmat bahgia, Tuhan kurniakan
Raja kita, selamat bertakhta
Rahmat bahgia, Tuhan kurniakan
Raja kita, selamat bertakhta
Truly, the rightful King shall reign on His throne over
How are we ever to bring an impact to our nation? I think the only way is to look inward, to ourselves. I believe that the church should be influencing society. On the contrary, the society has been influencing the church. We allow this to happen when we use worldly standards to measure spiritual matters. We ended up with practices that are less than Christian, or worse, unchristian. If the Bible teaches equality, do we practice equality in church? If the Bible teaches fairness, servant leadership, humility, do we see these in the church? Instead, we often find Christians, leaders in particular, enjoying the limelight and join the crowd in clamoring for titles, for positions, for recognition. Perhaps I am being too critical. But shouldn’t Christian leaders themselves know the Bible well enough that if more is added, more is expected? The passage in the gospel of Matthew (22:1-14) tells a parable of how many were invited refuse to attend the banquet. The host sent his invitation to others and the banquet hall was full. However, some who were unprepared were thrown out. The very significant verse here is in verse 14: Matt 22 v 14
"For many are invited, but few are chosen."
The question to all of us is this…we, as Christians, are invited but how many wants to be chosen?
While we grieve over the sins of our nation, I question ourselves: are we without sin to cast the first stone? Instead, I think we should pray for renewal within us, first and foremost. If not, the enemy will hold something against us. Then, and only then, do we have the right to speak of righteousness, justice, fairness.
Why am I being so critical of Christian leaders? Simply because I have had just enough of church politics. And by church I mean all Christian organizations. I am tired of the unchristian manners practiced within organizations claim to exist in God’s name. That is using God’s name in vain. Often these unchristian approaches are Christianized through claims of spiritual discernment. But hey, if one’s live does not display godliness, that is just an excuse to exercise tyranny. (Matt 7 v 15)
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them
Perhaps I am being too idealistic. After all, we are all fallen human beings living in a fallen world. But that is reason enough that all the more we as Christians must portray Christ likeness…so we can rightly be the witness, the testimony, the ambassador of the Light, the Love, the Grace.
I want to be the few who are chosen, not among the crowd who are invited. I want to keep my ideals although the price to pay is constant disappointments. But I believe it will be worth the effort and the sacrifice that I shall remain unshaken despite the circumstances. My constant prayer is that the Lord will grant me a spirit like that of His servant Habakkuk (Hab. 3:17-19) who can still rejoice in the Lord despite the circumstances because his faith is rooted in God alone.
17Feb09
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