It must be more than a Religion

Thoughts gathered during Ladies Fellowship, sermon from the scripture text 1 Peter 2:1-10. 

Religion is something we practice, something that we do periodically for a purpose. It is a practice that can also be put aside for various reasons. If Christianity is only a religion to us, then it must not be all that important to us, since this is something we can do without if we choose to.

So what exactly is Christianity to us? What is the Christian identity we want to be? With identity comes belonging; with belonging comes a sense of self. A little soul searching brings to mind how, no matter how sinful the state of my life is, the fact that I am a Christian is the only sanity amidst my chaotic life. It is the only comforting thought that reassured me that not all is lost. It is a fact that I clinged on dearly to draw strength for me to go on. Being a Christian to me is no less than my life, it is my very being, my entire self.

I recalled an episode in my life when I was in my teens, not too many years after I first accepted Christ. I was exploring a different church where a lady was tasked to encourage me to join her church. She told me I was not saved at all. What I thought was an acceptance of Christ and reborn as Christian when I was 13 years old was "false" provided I carry out a series of actions to cleanse myself, re-confess my sins and re-declare my belief in Christ. To re-declare my faith was not a problem, I would gladly do this over and over again. However, the moment when I was told I wasn't saved and could not be considered a Christian was as though half of me died. I felt as though I was dealt with a blow that hit right into my soul. Being a Christian is not just practising a religion, it is who I am, it is what I am, without which there is no me. 

Recognizing what Christianity is to us is only the beginning of our new life. To live a spirit-filled life is another study on its own. For a start, I am thankful I can call myself a Christian. I can proudly declare I have been called out of darkness to God's marvellous light. I have tasted God's mercy to allow me to be a child of God. I am thankful this is who I am, it is what I want to be and how I want to live my life.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 1 Peter 2: 9-10. 

A Good Neighbour

"Love thy neighbour as thyself." 

This commandment is only second to the commandment of loving thy God with all thy heart, all thy soul and all thy mind. Matthew 22-37-39. 

What does it take to love thy neighbour? Proverbs 3:26 is clear what we should not do - withhold that which is due to your neighbour. We should not delay that should have been given to your neighbour. God had provided to us all the goodness at the right time and we have been fully blessed, should we not provide for our neighbours the little bit of goodness that we can give?

In this day and age, having a neighbour that we can communicate is very rare, let alone one whom we can have a good relationship. Yet we know having a good neighbour is so important, but have we made any effort to connect with our neighbours? I have been most blessed to have a good neighbour in this life. Mr Yang is a Peranakan with such a big heart. He has a little Jack Russell that was happily overweight due to all the good food that came from the owner's table. He extended his love even to my two retriever dogs three times the size of his. 10 years ago when I become his neighbour, he became the unofficial guardian of my dogs. Very often he will come with treats from his own dog's stash or off his own table. My dogs grew to love his regular visits as they finally had the chance to eat something sinful, a break from the strict diet they had in my house. 

I benefitted from Mr Yang's generosity as well. Knowing that I would rather starve than to cook something in my own kitchen, my neighbour will give me a bowl of his own lunch or dinner whenever I am at home. He always thinks I will really starve and selflessly provided me from his own table. His portion is always good for 2 or 3 of my own meals and without him, home cook food would have been a rarity in my life lifetime. Mr Yang is my neighbour, the guardian to my dogs and a second father to me. I thank God for His provision of such a good neighbour in such abundance that truly I do not deserve.