Second Epistle to the Church in Malaysia
To behave in fear and trembling in the face of challenges and contending situations conveys an expression of insecurity of faith. Even in the face of persecution involving suffering, imprisonment, detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA) or even death, we should not waver from our faith and principles, but hold high our heads in dignity as the people of God.
By Thomas Lee Seng Hock
One of the saddest things in the Church in Malaysia today is perhaps the passive and paranoid culture gripping both the leadership and members in the matter of the church’s responsibility, role and relationship in society.
Many Christians are confused, perplexed and bewildered in the face of challenges in the process of nation-building, particularly in the area of politics. They seem to live in fear of almost anything perceived by them as being anti-establishment, and cling persistently in dread and apprehension to the dictated status quo even if the state of affairs is authoritarian, harsh and oppressive, and violate their rights to freedom of worship and freedom of expression.
Take the case of an incident which involved an article I wrote on the history of a church. To put the history in its context I had to narrate certain political events that took place in the nation. The church leaders became so intimidated by the mere mention of certain opposition personalities that they insisted on removing what they considered as “sensitive” or “seditious” parts.
The joke is that what is written is common knowledge and is included as part of the nation’s history. Certainly, such paranoia is unwarranted and reflect poorly not only on the insecure mental condition of the leaders but more so on their personal faith in the higher power of Jehovah-Elyon and their poor understanding of biblical dialectics on issues concerning the church and state.
It is so unfortunate and sad that such foolishness still exists in this age of the incredible universal mass medium Internet. The Christian faith is not just a matter of the heart, it concerns the head too. It involves the totality of body, mind, soul and spirit. The whole person is involved. We are to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). And the Christian, being a person who has been saved, redeemed and is now a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), must be one who is committed to a comprehensive worldview encompassing an acknowledgement and high view of Almighty God as Creator and Father, the belief in the Lord Jesus Christ as the real and ultimate ruler of the whole universe, the empowerment of the blessed Holy Spirit to the realization and fruition of the will and purpose of God in creation, history and our destiny as his people.
To behave in fear and trembling in the face of challenges and contending situations conveys an expression of insecurity of faith. Even in the face of persecution involving suffering, imprisonment, detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA) or even death, we should not waver from our faith and principles, but hold high our heads in dignity as the people of God.
As the apostle Paul said, “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (Romans 8:15-17).
The Lord Jesus has given us a mandate to be salt of the Earth and light of the World (Matthew 5:13) and it is obligated upon us as his followers to exercise these two roles of being salt and being light.
Salt is an element that can be used for preservation, and, as salt of the Earth, Christians are to play their role in preserving the truth of God on Earth. Salt is also used as a cleansing agent, and, hence, Christians must be cleansing agents in society, getting rid of the dirt in the immoral and corrupt political culture in the nation. Salt is also used for giving flavour to food. As such, Christians are to provide a distinctive taste of quality living to those who are lonely, sick, bed-ridden, old, poor, widowed, orphaned, abused and abandoned. Salt is also used for healing. It is therefore the mission of the Christians to bring about healing to those who are sick, not only physically, but spiritually. Many people are in the grip of demonic superstition and are living like spiritual goons and zombies, and they need the healing touch of loving, caring and concerned Christians to get relief from their demonic bondage.
When describing Christians as the light of World in his Sermon on the Mount, the Lord Jesus explained: “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)
The whole purpose of a light is just that, to provide light. The Christians, being the light of the World have the task of shinning in the dark, dark World to expose the dark evils hovering around the people. The Lord Jesus himself is the true Light of the World. He has declared: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12). Christians merely reflect the light of the Lord Jesus in their life, lifestyle and work.
As the light of Christ, Christians must expose the evil, immoral and corrupt culture in society, especially in the area of politics. We are not to hide our light but to be visible, vigilant, vocal and vibrant in society, expressing and demonstrating our opposition to what is unrighteousness, unjust, unfair, immoral and corrupt. We cannot close an eye to the improper hanky-panky in the political arena.
Of course, as a church, we need to be non-partisan in our political stand, but that does not mean we cannot make value judgment on the agenda and practices of any political party based on our understanding of the biblical teaching on truth, justice, honesty, equality and sins. We need to exercise our citizen role by examining, evaluating and critically analyzing the platforms and manifestos of the contending parties in an election before casting our votes.
As the light of the World, we are like the beacon from a lighthouse guiding souls through the troubled waters of the sea and the storms of life. We cannot deviate on this responsibility. This is especially true of the pastors, elders and church leaders. They should lead by example, not diverge from the biblical injunctions in fear and trembling. Like the apostle Peter who was brought before the authorities on some unjust allegations, they should be brave and bold to declare: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.” (Acts 4:8-10) And in Acts 4:19-20, Peter and John challenged the authorities: “But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” That, my brothers and sisters in Christ, is what leadership in the church is all about, not like what the Cantonese call the “sook thau woo kyai” (tortoise who withdraws its head when coming across an obstacle).
The Bible tells us that “In him (Christ) was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” (John 1:4,5)
And Paul said in his letter to the Philippians, “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him” (Phil 1:29). And in his letter to the Romans, Paul said: “we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39).
So, my dear sisters and brothers in Christ, you should be bold and brave in taking a stand for the truth, and reject all immoral and corrupt leaders, who practise cronyism, nepotism, bribery, and injustice. If you belong to a party headed by such a leader, than you either work to remove him as the leader, or quit the party. You cannot remain and be part of the evil, immoral and corrupt leadership. Your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ who is the Way, the Truth and the Life demands that you cannot associate with the wicked leadership.
God bless you real good.
