Christian Archives - Georgetown Baptist Church https://old.gbcpg.org/tag/christian/ IMPACT one life at a time Thu, 26 May 2022 08:10:36 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.0.9 https://old.gbcpg.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/cropped-logo_red_512x512-32x32.png Christian Archives - Georgetown Baptist Church https://old.gbcpg.org/tag/christian/ 32 32 True Shalom https://old.gbcpg.org/true-shalom/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=true-shalom Tue, 10 May 2022 06:36:32 +0000 https://old.gbcpg.org/?p=5232 Shalom (שלום). As a Christian, we may have been greeted with this word at least once. There is something unique and heartwarming about being greeted with this Hebrew word. But what is it about this word that comforts the heart of every believer in Christ? Simply put, shalom is the Hebrew word for “peace”, and it is commonly used among Israelis and occasionally used among Christians as a greeting and a farewell. And in both modern and Biblical days, shalom is also used to ask about one’s wellbeing. Most of us think of peace as a state of quietness or tranquility. It can also be thought of as the absence of conflict or trouble or war. While all the mentioned definitions are true to a certain extent, there are deeper and more powerful meanings that are carried by this ancient word. As I have been studying Hebrew for the past couple of years on my own, I have discovered rich and profound meanings of this seemingly simple word, that have encouraged me in my walk with God. Shalom in the Bible: Perfection Mentioned approximately 250 times in the Old Testament, the most basic definition that this word conveys is being complete, whole, or perfect. As an adjective, it refers to something that is intact, uncut, and undamaged, with nothing missing or lacking. It also describes a heart that is undivided and fully committed to God. Examples in the Scriptures include: “…[Joshua] built [an altar] according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses – an altar of uncut stones, on which no iron tool had been used. On it they offered to the LORD burnt offerings and sacrificed fellowship offerings.” – Joshua 8:31b, when Joshua was building an altar on Mount Ebal after capturing the city of Ai. “You will keep in him perfect peace, him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” – Isaiah 26:3 “Remember, O LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in Your eyes.” – 2nd Kings 20:3a, a prayer that King Hezekiah uttered at his point of death. Subsequently, as a verb, one of the definitions is to complete or to make something whole. It refers to taking what is missing or broken and restoring it to wholeness. An example is found in Nehemiah where the broken wall of Jerusalem was completed: “So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days.” – Nehemiah 6:15 Making Restitution/Payment In the process of restoring something to wholeness, this verb also means to pay back what was owed or to make restitution for any loss. An example of such usage is found in Exodus 22:1-15, where restitution is required in cases of theft or damage. Other examples in Scripture include: “He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.” – 2nd Samuel 12:6 “Anyone who takes the life of someone’s animal must make restitution – life for life.” – Leviticus 24:18 “She went and told the man of God, and he said, ‘Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.” – 2nd Kings 4:7 Reconciliation Another meaning that this verb conveys is to reconcile or to heal a broken relationship. In the Scriptures, this definition was not only applied on broken relationships with a family member or friend, but it also applied to relationships with an enemy. Such an example is used in Proverbs 16:7, “When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.” – Proverbs 16:7 This word can also be used in relationships with kingdoms and nations, as stated in 1st Kings 22:44, “Jehoshaphat was also at peace with the king of Israel.” – 1st Kings 22:44 What is amazing is that this word does not just mean cessation of war, conflict, or transgression against another person. It also means seeking the benefit of each other. The Gospel of Shalom So, how do all the earlier definitions relate to the gospel of peace that we have today? What does it really mean when Jesus said to His disciples in John 14:27 hours before He retreated to Gethsemane: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” – John 14:27 When God created Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, all creation was in the state of perfect peace and in complete communion with the Creator of all things. However, because of man’s choice to disobey God, that perfect relationship that God intends to have with mankind was broken. The world is cast into brokenness and left in shambles. The fallen world that we live in, along with its violence, heartache, pain and death are the consequences of that shalom that was lost so long ago. Because our sins have destroyed mankind’s relationship with Him, God, who is righteous and just, simply could not overlook our sins without payment. Sin had to be dealt with. The penalty for that broken fellowship must be paid, which is death. Nothing we could have done or we could ever do in our own strength, can ever meet God’s perfect standard of righteousness. Yet, this world was not left without hope because God, in His mercy and grace, has promised to send His Son, Jesus Christ, to make all things right and complete again. The moment that Adam and Eve sinned, God prophesied against the serpent that tempted them: “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel.” – Genesis 3:15 And through the prophet Isaiah, God promised that Christ would come as the “Prince of Peace”, and that there will be no end to the greatness of His government and peace (Isaiah 9:6-7). Paul in his letter to the Ephesians says: “For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in His flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility.” – Ephesians 2:14-16 Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can now come into God’s presence as His sons and daughters freely and boldly. Because Jesus paid the ultimate price by bearing our sins upon Himself on that cross, our broken relationship with our Maker can be mended. We, who were once God’s enemies can, therefore, be reconciled to Him through faith in Christ. We can have perfect peace with God because sin has already been paid for by the blood of Jesus. Through the finished work of Christ, the shalom that was lost in the garden has been restored and is available to us again today. And He will one day restore all things back to the way God intended with the promise of His presence dwelling among His people (Revelation 21:3). J.I. Packer, an eminent theologian and one of the most influential evangelicals in the world today, penned about God’s peace very well in his classic “Knowing God”: “The peace of God, then, primarily and fundamentally, is a new relationship of forgiveness and acceptance – and the source from which it flows is propitiation. When Jesus came to His disciples in the upper room at evening on His resurrection day, He said, ‘Peace be with you’; and when He had said that, He showed them His hands and side. (John 20:19 f.) Why did He do that? Not just to establish His identity, but to remind them of the propitiatory death on the cross whereby He had made peace with His Father for them. Having suffered in their place, as their substitute, to make peace for them, He now came in His risen power to bring that peace to them.” – “Knowing God” by J.I. Packer Our Response Having said that, true shalom can only be found in God alone. This shalom cannot be found in the absence of bad news or conflict or noise, nor is it dependent on circumstances, physical conditions, or what we feel; it can only be found by trusting in God, who is the eternal Rock of our salvation, just as the prophet Isaiah exhorts in his book: “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.” – Isaiah 26:3-4 Trusting in God means to give Him complete control, enthroning Him in every aspect of our lives, as He guides us and leads us in the way everlasting in our walk with Him. If you are not yet a believer of Christ, I pray that you may experience His peace that transcends beyond human comprehension and understanding by putting your faith in Jesus Christ and in His finished work. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” – Romans 5:1-2 Our Mandate to be Peacemakers As God’s children who have received His peace, Christ has therefore given us the mandate to be peacemakers and in being peacemakers, we are also given the ministry of reconciliation – reconciling people to God and reconciling one another in love. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” – Matthew 5:9 “All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” – 2nd Corinthians 5:18-20 Paul in his letter to the Ephesians also exhorted the church to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3), which requires humility, patience, and bearing with others in love. Let us be channels of God’s peace by exemplifying Christ’s life here on earth. Let us bring love and forgiveness in relationships that are scarred with hatred and hurt. Let us bring hope and light in a world that is filled with darkness and despair. Let us be reconcilers in every relationship filled with conflict and let our lives be a signpost that point people to Jesus Christ. “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn His face toward you and give you [shalom].” – Numbers 6:24-26 “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” – 2nd Thessalonians 3:16.

The post True Shalom appeared first on Georgetown Baptist Church.

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Shalom (שלום). As a Christian, we may have been greeted with this word at least once. There is something unique and heartwarming about being greeted with this Hebrew word. But what is it about this word that comforts the heart of every believer in Christ?

Simply put, shalom is the Hebrew word for “peace”, and it is commonly used among Israelis and occasionally used among Christians as a greeting and a farewell. And in both modern and Biblical days, shalom is also used to ask about one’s wellbeing. Most of us think of peace as a state of quietness or tranquility. It can also be thought of as the absence of conflict or trouble or war. While all the mentioned definitions are true to a certain extent, there are deeper and more powerful meanings that are carried by this ancient word.

As I have been studying Hebrew for the past couple of years on my own, I have discovered rich and profound meanings of this seemingly simple word, that have encouraged me in my walk with God.


Shalom in the Bible: Perfection

Mentioned approximately 250 times in the Old Testament, the most basic definition that this word conveys is being complete, whole, or perfect. As an adjective, it refers to something that is intact, uncut, and undamaged, with nothing missing or lacking. It also describes a heart that is undivided and fully committed to God. Examples in the Scriptures include:

“…[Joshua] built [an altar] according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses – an altar of uncut stones, on which no iron tool had been used. On it they offered to the LORD burnt offerings and sacrificed fellowship offerings.” – Joshua 8:31b, when Joshua was building an altar on Mount Ebal after capturing the city of Ai.

“You will keep in him perfect peace, him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” – Isaiah 26:3

“Remember, O LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in Your eyes.” – 2nd Kings 20:3a, a prayer that King Hezekiah uttered at his point of death.

Subsequently, as a verb, one of the definitions is to complete or to make something whole. It refers to taking what is missing or broken and restoring it to wholeness.

An example is found in Nehemiah where the broken wall of Jerusalem was completed:

“So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days.” – Nehemiah 6:15

Making Restitution/Payment

In the process of restoring something to wholeness, this verb also means to pay back what was owed or to make restitution for any loss. An example of such usage is found in Exodus 22:1-15, where restitution is required in cases of theft or damage. Other examples in Scripture include:

“He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.” – 2nd Samuel 12:6

“Anyone who takes the life of someone’s animal must make restitution – life for life.” – Leviticus 24:18

“She went and told the man of God, and he said, ‘Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.” – 2nd Kings 4:7

Reconciliation

Another meaning that this verb conveys is to reconcile or to heal a broken relationship. In the Scriptures, this definition was not only applied on broken relationships with a family member or friend, but it also applied to relationships with an enemy. Such an example is used in Proverbs 16:7,

“When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.” – Proverbs 16:7

This word can also be used in relationships with kingdoms and nations, as stated in 1st Kings 22:44,

“Jehoshaphat was also at peace with the king of Israel.” – 1st Kings 22:44

What is amazing is that this word does not just mean cessation of war, conflict, or transgression against another person. It also means seeking the benefit of each other.

The Gospel of Shalom

So, how do all the earlier definitions relate to the gospel of peace that we have today? What does it really mean when Jesus said to His disciples in John 14:27 hours before He retreated to Gethsemane:

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” – John 14:27

When God created Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, all creation was in the state of perfect peace and in complete communion with the Creator of all things. However, because of man’s choice to disobey God, that perfect relationship that God intends to have with mankind was broken. The world is cast into brokenness and left in shambles. The fallen world that we live in, along with its violence, heartache, pain and death are the consequences of that shalom that was lost so long ago.

Because our sins have destroyed mankind’s relationship with Him, God, who is righteous and just, simply could not overlook our sins without payment. Sin had to be dealt with. The penalty for that broken fellowship must be paid, which is death. Nothing we could have done or we could ever do in our own strength, can ever meet God’s perfect standard of righteousness.

Yet, this world was not left without hope because God, in His mercy and grace, has promised to send His Son, Jesus Christ, to make all things right and complete again. The moment that Adam and Eve sinned, God prophesied against the serpent that tempted them:

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel.” – Genesis 3:15

And through the prophet Isaiah, God promised that Christ would come as the “Prince of Peace”, and that there will be no end to the greatness of His government and peace (Isaiah 9:6-7). Paul in his letter to the Ephesians says:

“For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in His flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility.” – Ephesians 2:14-16

Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can now come into God’s presence as His sons and daughters freely and boldly. Because Jesus paid the ultimate price by bearing our sins upon Himself on that cross, our broken relationship with our Maker can be mended. We, who were once God’s enemies can, therefore, be reconciled to Him through faith in Christ. We can have perfect peace with God because sin has already been paid for by the blood of Jesus. Through the finished work of Christ, the shalom that was lost in the garden has been restored and is available to us again today. And He will one day restore all things back to the way God intended with the promise of His presence dwelling among His people (Revelation 21:3). J.I. Packer, an eminent theologian and one of the most influential evangelicals in the world today, penned about God’s peace very well in his classic “Knowing God”:

“The peace of God, then, primarily and fundamentally, is a new relationship of forgiveness and acceptance – and the source from which it flows is propitiation. When Jesus came to His disciples in the upper room at evening on His resurrection day, He said, ‘Peace be with you’; and when He had said that, He showed them His hands and side. (John 20:19 f.) Why did He do that? Not just to establish His identity, but to remind them of the propitiatory death on the cross whereby He had made peace with His Father for them. Having suffered in their place, as their substitute, to make peace for them, He now came in His risen power to bring that peace to them.” – “Knowing God” by J.I. Packer

Our Response

Having said that, true shalom can only be found in God alone. This shalom cannot be found in the absence of bad news or conflict or noise, nor is it dependent on circumstances, physical conditions, or what we feel; it can only be found by trusting in God, who is the eternal Rock of our salvation, just as the prophet Isaiah exhorts in his book:

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.” – Isaiah 26:3-4

Trusting in God means to give Him complete control, enthroning Him in every aspect of our lives, as He guides us and leads us in the way everlasting in our walk with Him. If you are not yet a believer of Christ, I pray that you may experience His peace that transcends beyond human comprehension and understanding by putting your faith in Jesus Christ and in His finished work.

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” – Romans 5:1-2

Our Mandate to be Peacemakers

As God’s children who have received His peace, Christ has therefore given us the mandate to be peacemakers and in being peacemakers, we are also given the ministry of reconciliation – reconciling people to God and reconciling one another in love.


“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” – Matthew 5:9

“All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” – 2nd Corinthians 5:18-20

Paul in his letter to the Ephesians also exhorted the church to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3), which requires humility, patience, and bearing with others in love.

Let us be channels of God’s peace by exemplifying Christ’s life here on earth. Let us bring love and forgiveness in relationships that are scarred with hatred and hurt. Let us bring hope and light in a world that is filled with darkness and despair. Let us be reconcilers in every relationship filled with conflict and let our lives be a signpost that point people to Jesus Christ.

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn His face toward you and give you [shalom].” – Numbers 6:24-26

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” – 2nd Thessalonians 3:16.

The post True Shalom appeared first on Georgetown Baptist Church.

]]> Don’t hold back, let us spark Joy! https://old.gbcpg.org/dont-hold-back-let-us-spark-joy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dont-hold-back-let-us-spark-joy Wed, 30 Jun 2021 04:16:44 +0000 https://old.gbcpg.org/?p=4184 In a world that has been ‘silenced’, all of us have been thrown into a state of apartness during the FMCO. The lyrics from the Christmas carol “Joy to the World” plays a silent tune in my mind. In Psalm 19, the psalmist describes the heavens and the skies- no speech, no words, no sound yet their voice go out into all the earth. All this reminds me that Heaven and nature sings, yes Heaven and Nature sings! “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” (Psalm 19:1-4 NIV) Each morning, the sky is like a canvas with the many hues and bursts of colours all so wonderfully displayed. One cannot help but lift up one’s eyes to admire the wondrous beauty of the bold strokes of colour that no human hand can create. There is a meditative silence all around us as the clouds glides slowly against a background of the emerging golden rays of the sun that is rising above the horizon. It is such a celebration of Joy! “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” (Psalm 8:3-4) Indeed, what is man that God is mindful of him! Who am I that God is mindful of me? The joy of knowing that God who in all His majesty is also a God who knows and cares for me is Joy unspeakable! I am reminded of what Jesus said in John 15:9-11 – to remain in His love so that His joy may be in us and that our joy may be complete. “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:9-11 NIV) As the love of God and the joy of the Lord fill our hearts, let us rejoice in the Lord and choose to spark Joy The fullness of joy is the assurance of God’s love for us as we remain in His love. It is often said that the joy of the Lord is our strength. As joy fills our hearts, our countenance radiates joy, hope rises in our spirits and we are strengthened to go on in our journey. When doors have to close to assemblies in church, we also lost the togetherness of fellowship lunches and friendship teas, the cacophony of children’s voices and the hearty exchange of conversations in the hallway. It is now Silence! The unutterable silence fills the empty hall now devoid of people. Many are closeted at home to stay safe. Loneliness, fear, anxiety and worry arise out of prolonged isolation. Is there someone in need of a word of encouragement, a word of cheer, a helping hand, or just to hear their name being spoken? As the love of God and the joy of the Lord fill our hearts, let us rejoice in the Lord and choose to spark Joy. Will you reach out to a friend, a relative or a colleague and be the sparkle in their life? “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior” (Habakkuk 3:17-18) This blog is authored by Mary Phuah on 30th June 2021

The post Don’t hold back, let us spark Joy! appeared first on Georgetown Baptist Church.

]]> In a world that has been ‘silenced’, all of us have been thrown into a state of apartness during the FMCO. The lyrics from the Christmas carol “Joy to the World” plays a silent tune in my mind. In Psalm 19, the psalmist describes the heavens and the skies- no speech, no words, no sound yet their voice go out into all the earth. All this reminds me that Heaven and nature sings, yes Heaven and Nature sings!

“The heavens declare the glory of God;
 the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
 Day after day they pour forth speech;
 night after night they reveal knowledge.
 They have no speech, they use no words;
 no sound is heard from them.
 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
 their words to the ends of the world.” (Psalm 19:1-4 NIV)

Each morning, the sky is like a canvas with the many hues and bursts of colours all so wonderfully displayed. One cannot help but lift up one’s eyes to admire the wondrous beauty of the bold strokes of colour that no human hand can create. There is a meditative silence all around us as the clouds glides slowly against a background of the emerging golden rays of the sun that is rising above the horizon. It is such a celebration of Joy!


“When I consider your heavens,
 the work of your fingers,
 the moon and the stars,
 which you have set in place,
 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
 human beings that you care for them?” (Psalm 8:3-4)

Indeed, what is man that God is mindful of him! Who am I that God is mindful of me? The joy of knowing that God who in all His majesty is also a God who knows and cares for me is Joy unspeakable!

I am reminded of what Jesus said in John 15:9-11 – to remain in His love so that His joy may be in us and that our joy may be complete.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:9-11 NIV)

As the love of God and the joy of the Lord fill our hearts, let us rejoice in the Lord and choose to spark Joy

The fullness of joy is the assurance of God’s love for us as we remain in His love. It is often said that the joy of the Lord is our strength. As joy fills our hearts, our countenance radiates joy, hope rises in our spirits and we are strengthened to go on in our journey.

When doors have to close to assemblies in church, we also lost the togetherness of fellowship lunches and friendship teas, the cacophony of children’s voices and the hearty exchange of conversations in the hallway. It is now Silence! The unutterable silence fills the empty hall now devoid of people. Many are closeted at home to stay safe. Loneliness, fear, anxiety and worry arise out of prolonged isolation. Is there someone in need of a word of encouragement, a word of cheer, a helping hand, or just to hear their name being spoken?

As the love of God and the joy of the Lord fill our hearts, let us rejoice in the Lord and choose to spark Joy. Will you reach out to a friend, a relative or a colleague and be the sparkle in their life?

“Though the fig tree does not bud
 and there are no grapes on the vines,
 though the olive crop fails
 and the fields produce no food,
 though there are no sheep in the pen
 and no cattle in the stalls,
 yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
 I will be joyful in God my Savior” (Habakkuk 3:17-18)

This blog is authored by Mary Phuah on 30th June 2021

The post Don’t hold back, let us spark Joy! appeared first on Georgetown Baptist Church.

]]> Why I am a Christian https://old.gbcpg.org/why-i-am-a-christian/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=why-i-am-a-christian Sun, 13 Jun 2021 05:14:24 +0000 https://old.gbcpg.org/?p=4173 Once in a while, I feel the burden of existential crisis upon my shoulders. Thoughts concerning my existence and my worldview circle around my head. Well, these thoughts do not roost permanently on my mind and build nests, metaphorically speaking. But they fly around my mind. Thoughts like: “Why do I believe what I believe?”“Why am I here in this world?”“What is the basis of what I believe?”“Why am I a Christian?” I feel that it is healthy to wrestle with these thoughts rather than to “sweep them under the carpet”. It is unfortunate that many kids or even adults were told never to ask such questions. Hence it is a blessing that I was able to wrestle with these questions since I was young. To my surprise, the outcome of such reflection strengthened my faith rather than blunted it. Personally, there are three main reasons why I am a Christian. There are many other reasons but these three reasons feature very prominently in my spiritual life. Work of the Holy Spirit Firstly, the ultimate reason why I am a Christian is the convicting work of the Holy Spirit in my life. Although I was brought up in a Christian family, I never would have trusted in the Lord Jesus without the convicting work of the Holy Spirit in my life. As Scripture says: And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. (Acts 16:13-14 ESV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1: 3 ESV) As the Lord opened Lydia’s heart, so the Lord opened my heart to hear the Gospel. According to his great mercy, he caused me to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. As I reflected on this, it brought me to my knees in worship. Salvation is of the Lord! Resurrection of Jesus Secondly, I am a Christian because of the resurrection of Jesus. According to 1 Peter 1:3, this new birth into a living hope comes through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Gary Habermas writes: When considering the life of Jesus, we can be very confident of these three conclusions: Jesus died by crucifixion; Jesus’ followers truly believed the risen Jesus appeared to them; and people who were not Jesus’ followers truly believed the risen Jesus appeared to them (Paul and James). The resurrection of Jesus is central to our Christian faith. If Christ has not be raised, then my faith is futile and I am still in my sins. If Christ has not been raised, what are the alternatives to the three conclusions above? As I reflected and read about the resurrection of Jesus, the alternative theories of his resurrection are implausible. There are many good books and articles written about the resurrection of Jesus. May we use the wealth of the reading resources available. No other alternatives Finally, I am a Christian because there are no other alternatives for me. I recall the exchange between Jesus and the twelve disciples in John 6:66-69 (ESV): After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” If I am not a Christian, what are the alternatives? If I want to go away from Christ, where shall I go? Atheism has always seemed very illogical to me. A few weeks ago, I was sitting in my balcony of my apartment. There was a potted plant before me. It was flowering and the flowers were not typically shaped. They were small and red, shaped like a bird. As I gazed upon the plant and its flowers, I started to laugh in awe and wonder. The design of the flower was so beautiful and intricate that, to my mind, there was no way the flowers existed by chance. There has to be a designer, a creator. I would be a fool to think otherwise. Psalm 14:1 “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” Other worldviews do not seem reasonable to me and are not intellectually satisfying. So, I will run with endurance the race that is set before me, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of my faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. By the grace of God, I will finish the race and keep the faith. What about you, my friend? Why are you a Christian? It is good to ask ourselves this question from time to time. You would find out that the answer is satisfying to the head and to the heart. And for those who are not Christians but are seeking the truth, won’t you come to Jesus? And if you need answers, never hesitate to reach out to us to walk alongside you in the faith. To God Be The Glory.Colin Kee

The post Why I am a Christian appeared first on Georgetown Baptist Church.

]]> Once in a while, I feel the burden of existential crisis upon my shoulders. Thoughts concerning my existence and my worldview circle around my head. Well, these thoughts do not roost permanently on my mind and build nests, metaphorically speaking. But they fly around my mind. Thoughts like:

“Why do I believe what I believe?”
“Why am I here in this world?”
“What is the basis of what I believe?”
“Why am I a Christian?”

I feel that it is healthy to wrestle with these thoughts rather than to “sweep them under the carpet”. It is unfortunate that many kids or even adults were told never to ask such questions. Hence it is a blessing that I was able to wrestle with these questions since I was young. To my surprise, the outcome of such reflection strengthened my faith rather than blunted it.

Personally, there are three main reasons why I am a Christian. There are many other reasons but these three reasons feature very prominently in my spiritual life.

Work of the Holy Spirit

Firstly, the ultimate reason why I am a Christian is the convicting work of the Holy Spirit in my life. Although I was brought up in a Christian family, I never would have trusted in the Lord Jesus without the convicting work of the Holy Spirit in my life. As Scripture says:

And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. (Acts 16:13-14 ESV)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1: 3 ESV)


As the Lord opened Lydia’s heart, so the Lord opened my heart to hear the Gospel. According to his great mercy, he caused me to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. As I reflected on this, it brought me to my knees in worship. Salvation is of the Lord!

Resurrection of Jesus

Photo by Wesley Tingey on Unsplash

Secondly, I am a Christian because of the resurrection of Jesus. According to 1 Peter 1:3, this new birth into a living hope comes through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Gary Habermas writes:

When considering the life of Jesus, we can be very confident of these three conclusions: Jesus died by crucifixion; Jesus’ followers truly believed the risen Jesus appeared to them; and people who were not Jesus’ followers truly believed the risen Jesus appeared to them (Paul and James).

The resurrection of Jesus is central to our Christian faith. If Christ has not be raised, then my faith is futile and I am still in my sins. If Christ has not been raised, what are the alternatives to the three conclusions above? As I reflected and read about the resurrection of Jesus, the alternative theories of his resurrection are implausible. There are many good books and articles written about the resurrection of Jesus. May we use the wealth of the reading resources available.

No other alternatives

Finally, I am a Christian because there are no other alternatives for me. I recall the exchange between Jesus and the twelve disciples in John 6:66-69 (ESV):

After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

If I am not a Christian, what are the alternatives? If I want to go away from Christ, where shall I go? Atheism has always seemed very illogical to me. A few weeks ago, I was sitting in my balcony of my apartment. There was a potted plant before me. It was flowering and the flowers were not typically shaped. They were small and red, shaped like a bird. As I gazed upon the plant and its flowers, I started to laugh in awe and wonder. The design of the flower was so beautiful and intricate that, to my mind, there was no way the flowers existed by chance. There has to be a designer, a creator. I would be a fool to think otherwise. Psalm 14:1 “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” Other worldviews do not seem reasonable to me and are not intellectually satisfying.

So, I will run with endurance the race that is set before me, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of my faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. By the grace of God, I will finish the race and keep the faith.

What about you, my friend? Why are you a Christian? It is good to ask ourselves this question from time to time. You would find out that the answer is satisfying to the head and to the heart. And for those who are not Christians but are seeking the truth, won’t you come to Jesus? And if you need answers, never hesitate to reach out to us to walk alongside you in the faith.

To God Be The Glory.
Colin Kee

The post Why I am a Christian appeared first on Georgetown Baptist Church.

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