My Journal

A misinterpretation of the Bible, specifically in Galatians 3:1 as well as 6:17.

I remember Galatians 3:1 ...耶稣基督钉十字架，已经活画在你们眼前...Rev. Stephen Tong once mentioned this in one of his lectures. Since then I had been having trouble searching for this verse because I used the wrong keyword. I thought "活画" was "活化". Until today, I suddenly stumble across this verse with great joy. Although, it is a bit embarrassing that my knowledge of this verse as well as my Chinese is lacking.

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When you are urged to do something that will cause you to move away from wanting to do God's Will such as devotion, study His Word, glorifying His name, run away from it.
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When stumble upon a question, problem, enigma, seize the time to research on them, do not waste a single second for them to build up, making life more complicated. Eagerly seeking solution is a good habit, even though often time it requires patience. Such is the beauty of this paradox.

James 1:19 ...let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. 

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As a reformer, my service to CCGCLI the Chinese Baptist Church is in a way, a lending from the Reformed Church. It is not right, for Christians to practise a habit of borrowing and not return, hoping that as time passes, it belongs to the borrower.  It is even unethical to wish to convert a reformer by electing him into the Baptist administrative committee, just as it is unethical before the eyes of God to elect a Muslim as a church choir conductor.

This is one habit of the American nation that we should not follow. The American nation is the most indebted country in the whole world, she loves to borrow as if plucking apples from the tree and call them her own.

If there is a word of wisdom: Do not simply allow Christians of American cultural influence to co-work/co-partner with you. But take every opportunity to support their works of evangelical ministries. 

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It is remarkable how American Missionaries love to show off their nationality as if it is the greatest nation on the planet and denying it at the same time due to the need for humility.

In my previous entries, I have already shown how corrupt America is when compared to other nations, and I am sure, there is no need for me to look for more proofs as there are plenty out there by others.

But it is note worthy, that knowing these weaknesses of America, how should one approach the world before God. Some followed the path of Balaam (exposing weaknesses to the enemies), some live in denial, some in ignorance, some in self-confidence, some in holy agony.  I'd say the latter one is more worthy. When we sorrow, we would call upon God. When we call upon God, we would submit and honor God, when we submit and honor God, we would know the righteous path to follow.

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Sometimes you see certain man of God love being a politician rather than a pastor. The way they give their sermons, the way they communicate, the way they pretend to be nice. Why?

Because they seem to love the crowd's reaction. As a politician, you would probably receive more direct criticisms. As a pastor, you would probably receive more love and perhaps even respect if that is still around these days. Meanwhile, some of them have studied enough to know that loving worldly praises more than God's is not good, so they tried to hide it or verbally justify their cause.  Nevertheless, you can tell how they love politics, getting rather excited at the waves of media/crowd.

Is this why God forbid Kings to be Priests or vice versa in Old Testament time? Not mixing politics into "religion"? If that is so, then there is a separator between religion and politics, and as a result, politics cannot touch religion or vice versa. This would mean, that these are of different worlds. How then can there be harmony, for two worlds to exist in one world for good? Unless one is gradually diminishing.  So one has to ask, why can't politics mix with religion? Is it because religion deals with what is true while politics deals with what is fake? what is impartial versus partial? what is perfect versus what is imperfect? Nay, if the other is sinful, how can it exist? How can it be tolerated or even established by God? It must be a curse since the beginning of time and yet, being a king involves God's annointment.

I would rather say it is a matter of God's sovereign calling. In the old days, God called only Levites, descendants of Aaron to be more precise, to be consecrated servants as mediator between men and God. A mediator of such must be holy. The complete holiness of Jesus Christ even as a man proves that the rest of the priests are corrupted since the fall of mankind.

As for a king, his main duty is to manage the nation for God, not a mediator who is separately called to be consecrated between God's children and God. 

So first, to be a preacher or a pastor who bring the elected to God, it must be of God's consecrated calling.

Secondly, his life must be holy. He must watch himself for he is called to be consecrated.

Therefore, to be a preacher or a pastor, one must first be called by God. This does not mean Christians in general should not preach. Every child of God is salt and light of the world, witnesses of Christ. But for a preacher or a pastor, they have dedicated their whole life and time to be a mediator between God and his children.

As for a politician, he must realize that he's also working for God and that everything he does, he will have to answer to God eventually. He must not be a hypocrite despite the stereotypical accusation against such position.

In conclusion, one who is not called by God, should not make worldly approval as his conviction. For he is not consecrated for such task. Every Christian should know the different measures of faith and calling God has bestowed upon him or her. Or else, he shall share the fate of King Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:19).

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Because it promotes discipline.
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