Who Are We Working For?

This afternoon our school held a special meeting on the new pension system for private school teachers. Under the new system each private school teacher or staff will receive an increase of over two million NT dollars to his or her lump-sum retirement pension as well as be entitled to receive the same monthly pension as his or her counterpart in public school. It is commonly recognized that the new pensions will strengthen the morale of private school employees and help commit themselves to their service, teaching and research. “The new system will not only stabilize funding sources for the pensions, it will also help private schools recruit excellent teachers,” said Cheng Jei-cheng, Minister of Education (Taipei Times).

I was reminded of Abraham in the Bible who was called by God to leave his homeland, his people, and his relatives to the place which God would show him. Abraham didn’t know exactly know where he was headed, but he knew clearly God was leading him on the way to the promised land. He was called to be set apart from the world, even his friends as well as his relatives, to rely on God alone, his guidance and provision.

Christian are called by Jesus Christ to follow him and to serve him only. Who are we serving and working for if we are worried about the retirement fund and pension system? Jesus said, “But story up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do break in or steal: for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:20-21).

Redefining “Neighbor”

Most of us more or less have heard about some of Aesop’s fables in which the story teller use animal stories to teach morals  and values to the readers. By the same token, in the New Testament, Jesus often spoke in parables so that his audience themselves could draw out  the moral or spiritual lessons from those stories.

One favorite parable told by Jesus to an expert in religious law is a good Samaritan, whom the Jews have long despised and wouldn’t make friends with. The parable goes like this (Luke 1025-37):

A man was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took off his clothes, beat him up and left him severely injured beside the road. Meanwhile, a priest walked by, saw him but turned away to the other side of the road. Then a Levite, an temple assistant, walked over but ignored him. Later a Samaritan happened to travel by, saw him and showed his compassion on him. He bandaged his wounds and took him to an inn and told the innkeeper to take good care of the injured man. He would reimburse the innkeeper for the extra cost.

At the end of the story Jesus asked the religion scholar who his neighbor was. Jesus used this parable to illustrate the true neighbor is the person who is willing to offer help and sympathy in times of trouble. Indeed Jesus redefined the meaning of “neighbor”.

God’s Family

As Jesus sent out his disciples on their mission trips, he gave them power and authority to cast out evil spirits, heal the sick and preach the kingdom of God. The moment the disciples returned to Jesus, they reported with joy that even demons submitted to them in his name (Luke 10:17).  Yet, Jesus replied to them, “You should rejoice that your name is written in heaven” (v. 20).

Many Christians are often excited about great things such as signs or miracles God has performed through them. Of course they have praised Jesus and given glory to God for those wonderful and amazing things. But Jesus reminded his disciples that they should pay attention to who they are, not what they do. They had been chosen by God and their names had been written in the book of life. What they were doing was bring the lost to the kingdom of God.

It is an important reminder to all God’s children the time when we accept Jesus as our Savior. Our names are on God’s family list. Prosperous or unsuccessful as we may become in life, We are His children, the apple of His eye. God definitely looks to us on account of who we really are, not what we actually do.

The Crown of Life

The Imperial State Crown belongs to the British royal family, usually worn by a new monarch at the end of coronation as he or she leaves the ceremony. The crown needs constant repairs and recasting due to “age, wight, the personal taste of the monarch, or the unavoidable damage that comes with use” (Wikipedia).

Very few of us could wear a crown like the Imperial State Crown. Only if a person is born into a royal family. However, we all have a chance to wear the “crown of life” prepared and awarded by God, creator of heaven and earth, if we are born into God’s family by way of Jesus Christ? How are we qualified to receive this crown of life? In James 1:12 we read, “Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” To win or lose God’s crown, the best one that man can receive, depends on how we deal with temptation. Do we fall into temptation and sin against God? Or do rely on God’s word and His Spirit and resist temptation?

We all are facing vaious kinds of trials and temptation and they are great opportunities for us to gain this excellent prize, the crown of life which is durable and imperishable as well as extends into eternity.

A Misnomer

A misnomer, according to Wikipedia English, is “a term which suggests an interpretation that is known to be untrue . . .  A particular example is transference of a well-known brand name into a generic sense. (Xerox for photo-copy).” A misnomer sometimes can cause great misunderstandings. For instance,  this past April I invited my college professor to have a keynote speech at my school in Taipei. I suggested that she fly to Taiwan two days earlier before the conference in order to overcome  jet lag which she might experience. She finally decided to take a flight from China Airlines. But Initially she mistook China Airlines for a China-based airlines company. She told the travel agency that she was going to Taiwan, not to China. Another example is that in Taiwan there are many street names for given cities in China and vice versa. So Qin Dao East Road is in Taiwan and Taiwan Road is in Qin Dao City,China.

We as Christians might misinterpret our true identity because of the Devil’s scheme which allures us to stray away from God. We assume that the high position or honoted title we hold represent our achievement and true colors.  Eventually we’ll lose all the positions, all the fame and all the vainglory, so to speak. We’ll be left alone in time and only God keeps us company.

In Philippians 1:21, Paul said to himself, “To live is Christ and to die is gain.” To be a follower of Christ is “to live is Christ.” A Christian’s title is Christ who has died for his or her sin.

Dung Theory

My older daughter was assigned to clean the restroom at school after six-graders graduated two days ago. Before starting to work on this filthy (she called it) bathroom cleaning job, she prepared a filter mask and a plastic glove and perhaps some other things I didn’t know of.

After school she told us that the job was awful and the most worst part was that her partner kept complaining about the toilet cleaning but didn’t do the job at all. Then I shared with her how I had cleaned the toilets with my classmates when I was in grade school and even taught my school children how to clean them up when I was an elementary school teacher. I also compared the toilet cleaning job to how Jesus has cleansed us of our sins which are nasty and terrible.

On the other hand, I also mentioned the apostle Paul’s words in Philippians 3:8, “For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as dung, so that I may gain Christ.” Paul viewed all things as dung or feces, trying to get rid of them including power, fame, honor, slander or humiliation. Everything good and bad was worthless and distasteful to him. His ambition is life was to embrace Jesus and abide in Jesus only. Let’s learn from Paul’s “Dung Theory”, counting all things as dirty feces in order to win Jesus.

At the end of conversation I reminded my daughter that it was not your teacher, but God himself appointed this cleaning work to you.

“Where Sahll I Go?”

Summer vacation is only one week away. Many parents with younger children at home have been wondering whether or not to take their children abroad during the global economic recession or where to go if they’ve planned on having their summer trips. 

While making a plan, particular of any type of vacation, we take many factors into consideration such as time, how long being spent on vaction and budget, how much being spent on it. Being Christians, do we pray to God for his guidance before we actually plan on our vacations or holidays?

King David, whom God called a man after his own heart, sought God’s will in the time of fleeing from Saul. After Saul was defeated and killed, he asked God for directions. In 2 Samuel 2:1, David inquired of the Lord, ” Shall I go up to Judah?” The Lord replied, “Yes.” And David continued to ask, “Where shall I go?” The Lord said to him, “To Hebron.” David asked God initially whether he should go back to Judah instead of discussing his plan with his men. Then he kept inquiring God of which area of Judah he should go. He was aware that God had been protecting him and leading his army. God was his Lord and he should consult with the Lord.

In our Christian walk, do we show reverence for Jesus? Do we seek Him all the time however small or big, even a trip?

Giving Him Your Heart

Some of the people I have contacted and shared the gospel with have the same concern with regard to accepting Jesus as their Savior: They are afraid of losing their freedom and being under “God’s control”. They have to give up some things which they assume would give them happiness. But in reality the more we indulge our senses, the more we become enslaved to them and therefore lose the real freedom. In 2 Corinthians 3:17 where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. The true freedom is that you have the right to make a decision which is in line with the will of God and pleases the Father Himself.

In one Christian hymn Give Me Thy Heart, the author wrote, “From this dark world He would draw thee apart; Speaking tenderly, ‘Give Me thy hear.’” The world is so full of seduction and temptation that we easily fall into it without our own awareness. Psalm 119:105 says, “You word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” He is also the light of the world ans is able to lead us out of the darkness of the world. Unless we find the true freedom we don’t know what freedom is and we used to live in bondage in the past.

Need freedom? Give Him your heart!

A True Follower

A student of mine just graduating this June told me that he had registered a guaranteed course which would assure him to past the special examination for police officers next June. During this year’s preparation, what he has to do is go to class, follow the course schedule, study the material and review exam questions. If he fails the exam, the cram school will definitely return the fees.

This student has a clear vision and goal — to be a police officer. He told me he would exchange everything for passing the exam. I could see his determination through our conversation. This reminds me of being a follower of Jesus like myself. How will we follow Christ and what must we do to be called a Christian? Like my student, we have to make our decision to follow the Lord.

Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would become my follower, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily  and follow me” (Luke 9:23). If a person wants to be a true Christian, a follower of Christ, first of all he or she must give up self-seeking interests and ambitions, placing God’s will above his or her own desires. Then take up his or her cross every day. The cross is a symbol of humility and humiliation. Being God himself, Jesus obediently came to the earth and paid all our sins and even died on the cross. He suffered a great pain physically and shamefully. Finally they are eligible for following Jesus if they deny themselves and take up their crosses daily.

Most Christians think to be a follower of Christ is a type of honor and glory. Yes, it is in the sight of God, but humanly speaking, it could be a shame. Do we seek God’s will every day as Jesus sought the Father’ will earnestly? Are we willing to suffer as Jesus did obediently?

Are you ready to follow Jesus?

Honoring Leaders

The Ministry of Education has launched a “new lifestyle” movement titled Yopin Movement — good character, good quality and good taste — in order to build the nation’s character. Through this national project students as well as ordinary people are hoped to develop moral character, high quality of living and appreciation of art and music. The students are also expected to show respect for parents and teachers as well as be able to take responsibility for their actions.

To honor or respect parents and leaders in authority is always the core teaching of Christianity. David modelled his God-fearing life for every Christian  in honoring the king of Israel. Though David had many chances to kill King Saul (because he tried to kill David) to become a new leader of Israel, he respected God’s anointed and didn’t want to lay a hand on him. When Saul died in a battle, David  mourned and wept and fasted for Saul and his family. David even killed the person who didn’t rescue King Saul and instead killed him. David said to the man, “Why were you not afraid to life your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?” (2 Samuel 1:14).

Do we respect our leader or boss or president like David did? Honor our leaders and prayer for them, because they are chosen and anointed by God.