By Rev John Chew
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe (Heb. 12:28).
Christians express our thanks to God in worship, prayer, adoration and in many other ways as we reflect on our lives. The Spirit of God moves us to repentance of our ungodly words and deeds and this is good and pleasing in His sight. As a community of worshippers, what can we be thankful for as we celebrate and reflect upon Reformation Sunday next week?
Without Reformation, we could still be lost in spiritual darkness, superstition and sin. Thanks be to Reformers like Luther, Zwingli, Calvin and others before them. They were courageous and bold, standing up to their persecutors for the gospel. The break from the Roman Catholic Church was physical and spiritual—a defence against the teaching of different doctrines. The Bible was put back into the hands of the people, they were free to know God personally by reading the words of God for themselves in their own languages, and the same opportunities and freedom have sustained us today. What a joy to celebrate Reformation Sunday, it reminds us that God is gracious and sovereign, no one can hide His truth from being revealed.
We are also thankful that we have a faithful and patient God. Having visited the ruined cities of Ephesus and Pergamum, I am saddened by the fate of these once glorious cities in ancient times. The churches of both cities were once faithful serving churches as described in Rev. 2. Yet they were warned because they had lost their first love and had turned to sexual immorality. The sad sight of ruined cities and churches should remind us as worshippers and God’s people to remain faithful and vigilant in our walk with Him.
It is very easy to slip and fall, to become prideful and stagnant in our faith. It is very easy to live in our own sinful ways and to turn away from worshipping God. But He never gives up on His children but gently leads them. He has led and sustained ORPC all these years. He called and raised up faithful and willing leaders to serve the church and led worshippers to learn from one another, to serve and to grow spiritually. Are we grateful and thankful to God for His salvation, His love and for ORPC? Let us continue to praise and worship Him and be thankful for one another and be our brothers/sisters’ keepers.