It has been about a year and four months into the work for me as a full-time minister for the congregation here at Jurong. I have not looked back since and am thankful that I had made the decision and had the opportunity to do so. Self-reflection or examining myself has been a regular affair for me coupled with the daily reflections – in the hope of being able to do things in a better way and also striving to be more like Christ. I am way far from that. I will like to just share three related points from the apostle Paul’s epistle to the church in Philippians 3.
Put Things Behind and Reach Forth to Things Before
The work in ministering to the saints and labouring for the Lord is challenging but I experience great joy in the work. Needless to say, there are discouragements and setbacks faced. In fact, in just this short span of over a year, the number of discouragements and heartaches experienced were several times more as compared to my twenty-nine years as a Christian. There were times when I have never felt so alone, ‘friend-zoned’, ‘cancelled-out’, avoided or ignored. It is heart-breaking when secular friends do that, but to experience this in the spiritual family whom I love so very dearly is something too much to bear several times - when repeated texts or calls to brethren who have not been worshipping or facing challenges were unanswered or met with non-response, when building up the courage to approach one for that one Sunday that he or she may be around ends up in avoidance, when seeking forgiveness in the event of unknowingly offending a brother or sister goes ignored, when preaching the truth and whole counsel of God ends up in one getting offended and upset with me, and the list goes on. In fact, just last Sunday alone, four messages of concern or wanting to meet-up went silent. It is just so very hard to bear. The pain is too great. There’s a natural affection between siblings, between parents and children and that should be the way in the church, hence the pain. But I think about the desertion of Jesus by His disciples (Mark 14:50-51), the grief Jesus had (Mark 3:5) and His sorrow (Matthew 26:38), the denial of Jesus by Peter (Luke 22:61) and the mocking and cruel treatment of Jesus (Matthew 27:27-31, 34-44). My pain or discouragement is nothing.
Paul wrote:
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,” (Philippians 3:13)
I look to God’s word in Paul’s inspired writing and draw encouragement and advice as to what to do. I am still learning in my service to the Lord and the congregation. Even Paul who had done so much for the Lord wrote that he counted himself not to have reached the epitome of the faith. He said he would put behind things of the past and focus on the things that lie ahead.
I have to look ahead. There is much work to do, there is much to learn. I have to put away any past laurels if I have, any wrongdoings and unwise decision making or approaches and focus on what lies ahead. I make it right, continue to grow and equip myself for service to the Lord.
Press On
Going to the Bible for advice is a to-do thing.
Paul wrote:
“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)
Despite all that Paul faced, he was pressing on for Christ and looking toward the prize. The Bible has described the Christian life as a race (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:24, Hebrews 12:1) and there is an incorruptible prize when one finishes the Christian race (1 Corinthians 9:25; Revelation 2:10).
I want to be like Paul to press on for the prize. I want to be like Paul to make Christ my example (1 Corinthians 11:1). I want to be like Paul to do what is approved of by God (2 Timothy 2:15; 4:2; Acts 20:26-27, 31). It is my prayer, brethren, that we all can study together, labour together, encourage and exhort one another, run the race hand-in-hand and press on together “for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”.
Mark Them Who Are Good Examples
Yet again, the Bible offers me advice. Paul wrote:
“Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.” (Philippians 3:17)
I look to what Paul wrote about taking note of those who lived their lives as how the apostles lived in their Christian faith. He also exhorted them to use him as an example.
I am so thankful for the preachers at the congregations over at Lim Ah Pin and Eastside who have been so encouraging and supportive even when I was studying at Four Seas College. They have been examples for me to follow and learn from. Every single one of them has always said “Come to me if you need help, face problems or ideas to bounce off with”. My meet-ups and conversations with them are so treasured. This also includes conversations and learning from preachers from the congregations overseas. I receive my annual dose of encouragement especially during the Four Seas lectureships. It is so wonderful to know of this spiritual blessing of the universal church – the body of Christ and also God’s providence in this means of encouragement for His people.
Whenever the word “mark” is being used, it seems to give a negative connotation. However, here, it is not so. There is a need to fix our eyes on those who are good examples in the faith. This is a help for me and for Christians. We look toward those who are good examples (both within the congregation and in other congregations), learn from them and be encouraged. I am glad to have such brethren to fix my eyes upon to learn from within our congregation and also in other congregations.
I must not forget, however, that the ultimate example is Jesus and that there is a need to run this race with patience.
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
I love the church and the brethren. As I continually examine myself, grow and serve in the Lord’s kingdom, I seek your prayers that I will be humble, patient, bold for Jesus, grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and to give God the glory for all things. Brethren, thank you!
Ask Yourself:
What are some things I need to put behind and reach forth to the things that lie ahead?
How can I be “marked” such that others can view me as a good example and learn?
Suggested Answers:
You may discuss this with close brethren or the Bible class teachers.