On the Topic of Love.

Today's sermon (Luke 15:11-32) was about what the Elder Son lacked (in the Parable of the Prodigal Son). He (the son) forgot that all the Father wanted was a son who loves Him. To be in communion or a loving relationship with the Father.

A very familiar passage, especially to all those who attend church on Sundays for the many years of their life. For the benefit of those who are hearing this for the first time, Jesus was questioned or jeered at for feiloh-shipping (eating) with the 'sinners'. Sinners would be anyone who doesn't follow the law of God according to the Upper class standards (in this passage would be the Pharisees and scribes). Coming back to modern time, we also have quite a segregation of class based on our income, profession and family background.

So Jesus' respond to the Pharisees and scribes (liken to us Christians today) with the above parable (came in 3 parts). The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin and The Lost Son ( or Prodigal Son). Do take time to read whole chapter of Luke 15.

Interestingly I actually found out I have a nickname from one of my students in SSS. Teacher Mandy is the Philosophical one. Well I took it quite negatively, that would mean from a teenager's POV... That I'm boring, long winded and not happening or cool or fun lah. But then my friend corrected me and said that it can be viewed from another perspective. I just like to talk about deep stuffs.

Either way I will wanna direct you to the point God had showed me this whole week. When we see ourselves as Christian. Which rings louder? I see myself as a child of God or a servant of God? So, does it mean by doing alot of good deeds, being in church and serving God in ministry is not what God wants? Like what the Pharisees been slaving themselves and following God's every law is not enough to get God's approval? What they have been doing is not wrong, they lacked 1 very important ingredient to all their deeds. Their relationship with God was severed.

"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are." 1 John 3:1

What are the ways we can build this loving relationship with God? (yes, i heard you... Praying to Him, spending quiet time with Him, reading the Bible) And you need to do this daily so you know who God the Father is.

in 1 John, it talks so much about God's relationship with us and us with others. That we cannot separate love of others with our love for God. John made it very clear in
1 John 5:1-3 (NLT)
"Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too.
We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments.
Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome."

And do read the whole 1 John to get a fuller picture of who we are in Christ and how we ought to be living out our faith.

So, the reason why we do what we do (ie. go the church, go sg, missions, Evangelise, feed the poor, or spend 50% of our free time serving God) is simply because we love God. It is a response of our love towards God's love (1 John 4:9-21).

If I am still unable to love a fellow Christian or a child of God. I do need to question myself, do I really know God?

If I am still unable to accept the love of God (Gift of Salvation) is for also those who are unsaved and outside of Church walls. I have to ponder whether have I missed God's point.

If I am grudgingly serving in any ministry in church. Complaining and dreading and frustrated every minute. Time for me to evaluate my relationship with God.

I woke up 1 day during the week with a heavy heart to be told I'm a sinner saved and loved by God through an unimaginable dream. (this is another topic altogether)

So about the Elder Son that was mentioned, interestingly there was no ending to this story. (fascinating point) The continuation of what would the Elder Son now decide to do? Come back into the house and celebrate with the Father and with his Younger Brother or stay outside and not be part of God's will... This is for us to respond if we sense ourselves have been like the Elder Son.