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about entries links leader of the month tag
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Somehow or rather, this week hasn’t been great. It felt so moody, so fearful, so tiring, so demanding... and somehow I think it’s linked to Gd Friday. As we celebrated the Lord’s death on the cross & His resurrection, it felt that the evil one really tested us this wk. I don’t know abt u guys, but this wk felt so weird. Really really...

There were things that irritated me, and led to tonnes of complaints, whining and even disrespect towards my parents. It felt so sinful, in a way. As I seeked the Lord, both through the bible and a Christian book, something really spoke to me.

Think we’ve heard that Sin is about I. It’s about me doin the things I want, my way, my style, my thinkings, my plan, my direction, my control, me me me… Yes sin revolves things like smoking, sexual immorality, unforgiveness and many others that u can find within the bible. But the book I read says this, “Sin also involves small things that we subconsciously forget. Having doubt in God, not praying, using wrong words to speak, and many more. I donno about u, but when the book started stating all these stuff, I felt really bad. It was an area of my life that I didn’t notice; my blind spots.

U know… in the bible, it always says that we are to be like Christ. Frankly speaking, that’s the limit u know. We can’t be Christ Himself, only imitate Him and aim to be like Him. Why? Cos we can’t stop sinning, even if we put in 1000000% effort, even when we resist all temptation, I’m sorry to say this but it’s just to hard to maintain. Or simply what Ps. Khong always say, “IMPOSSIBLE”!!

So the main thing is, what do u do about it? Remain guilty of sin? Decide to dwell in that state of depression? Stay as far away from God so that you can avoid Him? (although u know u actually can’t) or we shud just don’t even bother trying to be Christ-like?

I believe DE Congre Mtg would reveal a certain aspect of Sin, if u caught what I caught.

As Ps. Danny shared about the 1st point, God drew this picture in my head. When u sin, u come to a 2 way junction.
1) Path of Judas
2) Path of Peter
Please choose…

U know what happened to Judas right? He sinned against God and backstabbed Jesus. Kissed Jesus and delivered him to the Roman soldiers… come on, we all know the story already…But would you choose the path of Judas? The path of remorse? Would you allow the devil to continue gripping tightly onto you, because of your sin? Would you allow the devil to drive you to the edge and commit suicide like Judas?


Or would you pick the path of Peter? The path of repentance. The path that the Lord wants us to take. The path that are created when Jesus died on the cross. You see, God wants you to change. He doesn’t want you to keep suffering in that sin, He loves you and can’t bear to see you struggle really. That’s why He opened the path of repentance. Or else we would still
be stucked with burning of cow or animal offerings just to clear our name. Instead, He provided the path of repentance through the blood of Jesus, the 2nd chance that was provided. The words, “Forgive them for they know not what they do” were said by Jesus Himself.

Recently, Bjorn Liu asked me a question.
“If God planned for Jesus to die on the cross, and planned that Judas to betray Jesus, doesn’t it mean that God planned for Judas to commit suicide and go to hell?”

U see, Judas was given a choice (to sin or not to sin) but God knew that Judas would choose to sin. But God didn’t plan for Judas to go to hell. Judas had every opportunity to seek for forgiveness but he didn’t. He remained guilty.

Peter, on the other hand, had to answer Jesus 3 times that he really loved Jesus. Peter repented. He was forgiven for even denying Jesus 3 times. He repented of his mistakes. Trust me, if he didn’t answer Jesus when Jesus asked him whether he loved Him 3 times, I believe Peter would have been in the same state as Judas.

The sin of betraying Jesus and the sin of denying Jesus is equal. There’s no such thing as 1st class Sin or 2nd class, or even 4th class. Sin = Sin. It’s a simple mathematical equation. But the 2 men chose their paths differently.


We will never be perfect, it’s a fact. Romans 3:23 says "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". But don’t let that be a discouragement for us Christians. But understand that the grace of God is there (just don’t take it for granted). Rather, confess your sins and remember, repent. choose ur paths wisely.

“Lord, we ask for smth very simple this day. We’ve sinned. We’re sorry. But Lord, we wanna change. We choose to be like Jesus, help us b’cos we can’t do it in reality. Mould us into ur image more and more. Amen”


-darren
"In repentance and rest is your Salvation
In quietness and trust is your Strength"
Isaiah 30:15

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