WHERE ARE WE ARE HEADED?
Rev Johnson Chua

How should Christians react/respond? What is our role in this nation, indeed in any nation for that matter? What Scriptural guidelines can we find to light our way?

The Role of God’s People in the World

1. Jer 29:5-7: To be a blessing to the nation as the Jews in exile in Babylon were called upon to do by God through the prophet Jeremiah, 
   "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."
   Christians in this country were part of the economic migrants that came before the 2nd WW looking for greener pastures. In the beginning the general idea was to come, earn some money and then return home to start businesses or buy land and farm. But they decided to stay on. Citizenship was offered them in exchange for loyalty. We are their descendants today and this is what we have been doing.
2. Matt 5:13-16: To be salt and light in society. Standing for what’s right; speaking against corruption, highlighting wrongdoing and anything else that causes decay in society; modeling how people should live in relation to one another and over Creation, setting the example in mercy, compassion, forgiveness and love. And in so doing, bringing glory to our Father in Heaven, Matt.
    In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
   
3. 2 Cor. 10:3-6: To undo the works of the devil, exposing his lies and deception, 
   3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete
4. Eph. 3: 10: To be God’s pilot project to show to all the principalities and powers what a redeemed humanity can be under His hands,
   His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms…
   
   Eph 1: 11-12: That we might be to His praise and glory
   In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
   
   Summary by Duane Ruth-Heffelbower an American Attorney and Mennonite Pastor; the Church has a 3-fold role towards society:
   a) Witness to God's love, power (and grace)
   b) Call society to peace, justice and compassion
   c) Work toward the welfare of all members of society.

The Situation in our Churches

1. PTL, prayer is intensifying, from the latest update of MNPM just sent out yesterday.
2. Need for ISO for Church? Varying standards in our churches. I wonder if it would be good to draw up an ISO for churches across the board in this country. Then we can all measure ourselves against it. Just a suggestion.
3. Need to strengthen the East Malaysian Church. More visits, more understanding, more familiarity with leaders there, more partnership, more help, more support. 

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