Jude.

The letter from Jude is perhaps one of the shortest of the 66 books in the bible. Yet, in those few verses, it packs a punch. The reminder to contend for the gospel and its truth is compelling, and still very much relevant in today's context in Singapore. 

So far, over two Sundays at church, I have learnt heaps and been very encouraged by the sermons, not that I haven't been before that. For the sake of the gospel, it is of utmost importance and urgency to rebuke false teachers and throw false teaching out of the window, for they are no gospel and not about God. 

The reasons the false teachers give, especially regarding false teaching, may seem plausible at first. Upon probing and deeper examination, all the maggots and rotten insides get exposed. One common argument put forth by such groups is "What we preach does not really matter, what is most important is that we are brining people to God. Can't you see our church growing and new people accepting Christ?" But the implication of making that statement is that God's kingdom and church will grow through false teachings! What heresy! God's church is based on the gospel of Jesus Christ, not on the prosperity gospel, not a chance. The bible can't be clearer on that. 

Dear brothers and sister in Christ, for the sake of the gospel and the truth, fight, reject and cast out false teachings at all costs. Be discerning and loving, even though the latter can be very hard to do. Remember, it is for the sake of Jesus Christ. 

Accepting (perceived) Differences

Differences can be frustrating. Sometimes, I question why do certain groups of people not do things a particular way. Some other times, I hope they could change so that there will be less friction. But all the time, I am missing the point, as far as my concerns are, well, concerned. 

The focus on myself is essentially selfish, and putting what matters most out of the picture. What the bible says is true and should guide the way I think, and I could so easily point of the times where the latter has not been the case. Fundamentally speaking, we all gather because of what Christ has done. That's why we see the necessity to keep pushing each other on in the right direction. If that remains the same, I don't think the initial bitterness would surface. 

Perhaps I am just too cynical about everything, which might not be such a good thing sometimes. It is, at times, wiser to let go of my own selfish beliefs and take that 'bible snob' out, putting it to death. It's not only about head knowledge, as we always say. 

Of joy, and thankfulness.

"It's 2 o'clock", my laptop tells me in a matter-of-fact tone. Yes, it is 2 in the morning. 

I have been staying up late and messing with my sleep cycle, and it has affected me a fair bit. I'm clearly feeling the fatigue, and I still have to trudge through each day's duties. Those are, after all, my duties. There are some things that I still enjoy doing and will find time to do no matter how tired I am feeling and how terrible the week has been. 

All I want sometimes is to just spend an hour or two in the kitchen (yes, any kitchen!) and prepare a good meal for myself or an additional portion too. Food gathers people and it is possibly the best way too. It is through the people that God has placed around me that I am also encouraged to serve them and learn from them. And through which, I derive joy, knowing that all these come from God alone. 

This semester of uni has been one that's challenging for me, and the most tiring one to date. I think, however, that it happens to be the most meaningful one. Even though it can be hard to see certain things not working out and not going according to plan, and that it has been trying to get through each week, God has been particularly gracious as he has always been. For that, and what Christ has done, I am thankful. I do not deserve this, not a single bit.

I just need a couple of moments away, maybe just a couple more.

Conversations.

Good conversations go a long way, and they do good. I am grateful and in awe of the way God works. What was supposed to be a simple coffee break in the afternoon and introducing two friends to what I have been drinking turned out to be an intense (in a helpful way!) conversation about Christianity and its fundamentals.

It wasn't my first time talking about this topic, but it is the first time talking about this topic to people not from church or regen. It is refreshing to hear and discuss our views on praise and worship, speaking in tongues, and the purpose of certain things we do, among a lot of other things. It is encouraging to see fellow Christians here in USP taking plenty of joy in Christ, and thinking about things.

We can all say that we are Christians, yet each one of us differ in our stand on certain issues. Ultimately, it is Christ and what He has done that joins us as one family. It is because of our faith in Christ that brings us together. Points of disagreements prevail, but these are peripheral. It is ever so easy to put on that ivory tower mindset in the way we approach other Christians, thinking cynically about everyone else. Not only is that not helpful, it is sinful. Essentially, by doing so, one is putting Christ out of the picture. We are Christians, and we need Jesus as much as another Christian needs, and as much as a non-Christian needs.

I will keep asking questions, not in doubt that Christ is not enough, but to marvel at His greatness. They call it 'equipping'.

QUIDDITCH.

It's my third year, and I just had a good game of quidditch–an annual game where students gather to unwind and have fun as a USP community. It's tiring running around with a broom between my legs, but I don't think I have had so much fun in a long time. It was an excellent time playing alongside the juniors, seniors and batch mates, and a break from all the stress that has been steadily building up at quite a quick pace.

USP is one thing that I have been incredibly thankful for, and God has been showing me the community's need for the gospel, just as all of us do actually. In all honesty, trudging through each semester in USP is not easy–workload is heavy, content is alien, sleep is a luxury. Yet every now and then I am put into situations where the difficulties seem easier to manage. A good and growing Christian community that I can talk to, some of my closest friends in uni are in USP, and a bunch of very encouraging freshmen who are ever so enthusiastic about uni life. Lots of people out there do not understand the problems and troubles USP students face, and we are often labelled as being 'elitist' and 'arrogant'. It takes one to know one, and to know, one has to be in it.

One thing that I remind myself each day before I set out for class from Cinnamon College. "Be yourself, behave as God has instructed because you are now in Christ." Uni life may be hard, but God is still in control and it is, in every bit, worth thanking for.  

IFG.

Today marks the end of my third Inter-Faculty Games, and perhaps the one that I enjoyed the most. Badminton is a game that I have been playing for more than half my life, and half of it being competitive and the only reason I played and trained was to win. It was not until university, or halfway through army, that I began to really enjoy the game, and not in so much of a competitive manner.

I have reached a point where I play the game not to win, but to enjoy every moment on court. Winning is a bonus, it is not everything that the game has to offer. Yes, I do get frustrated at times when I do not get certain shots right, but I have leant, too, to get over it quickly. The company that I play the game with was encouraging, and they will be among the most memorable bunch of friends I have made in NUS.

It was one good IFG.

I'm sorry, but could you please speak in a proper language?

Speaking in tongues has been one of the most controversial topics of discussion among Christians. Some churches claim that if a Christian doesn't speak in tongues, he or she isn't spiritual enough. They make it seem as though speaking in tongues is a must, and is part of being spiritual, and is also part of being a Christian. To be honest, I have not encountered anyone speaking or praying in tongues till very recently. 

What is speaking in tongues? In short, it is to speak in another language, possibly one that is not known to you. But in reality, what came across as speaking in 'tongues' was just a random murmur that I am not sure if anyone really spoke that as a language at all. It feels odd, sounds odd, and not in such a good way. Well, but who am I to judge if it's really the Holy Spirit at work? That's not the whole point of this post actually, because we are to small to fathom what God can do. 

The churches who place such a great emphasis on speaking in tongues seem to be missing the point, and it could be intimidating and misleading to a newcomer to church. In the New Testament, we find extensive talks about tongues, especially concentrated in 1 Corinthians 14. But with that in mind, we should also read chapters 12 and 13 to better understand the context and instructions that Paul was telling the early church in Corinth. Paul clearly indicated in the letter the significance of the gift of tongues and how should one view it. Not every Christian will receive the gift, but each of us is gifted by God in ways that are unique. For a church, the more urgent matters that should deserve way more energy and strength being put into are edifying fellow Christians and telling non-Christians about the gospel. Both aspects are grounded on the belief in Christ Jesus and his saving works on the cross. It is of less value if one could speak in tongues that no one could interpret, than to encourage a fellow Christian with an understandable language, and also of less value than telling a non-Christian about the gospel in an understandable language. 

As Christians, we have to be discerning and weigh out what is the more important thing to do, than to pray in tongues. Prayer is not a mindless activity, as much as you have received the "gift of tongues" by the Holy Spirit.