STRIFE... from Cindy Choo

16 Apr 2007

Once again, I am cornered to wake up and smell the roses.

Evil is lurking everywhere… Oh…how ignorant are we in just living our life? I am reminded once more as I was reading through the papers on the issues that are going on in the world. “STRIFE”… That’s right, if you have not read correctly I will repeat it, STRIFE.

This is one of the main weapon Satan is using to destroy the very place mankind is thriving. Small matters are made into big issues. Leaders of the world waste time and resources fighting against one another, instead of channeling those precious ‘assets’ for the good of their country men. Just take a good look at our closest neighboring country – Thailand and further east, Timor Leste. ‘Brothers’, seemingly of a the same nationality fight against one another in this war torn country, ravaged by the predecessors through years of colonization and later civil war.

Go up north of China and we will have Nepal, warring against the same people sharing a common nationality… And this crosses to the India continent, Middle East and Africa continent. In most of these countries, they have been colonized, been through the worst year in history – the Japanese atrocities, the Holocaust, Cold War, oppression from colonization and massacre in the name of ethnic cleansing and the superiority of a certain ‘race’!

The people in these countries been though it all – varying in intensity of their experience, nevertheless in despair just as the other of their countrymen; killing, rape, looting, bombing …this are a few named mayhem that can be seen to strike fear in the hearts of men. Even after all these are over, ‘brothers’ of the same nationality rise up against one another and fight amongst themselves. Those seeking for peace and a new start have to go through the whole mean cycle once more. The freedom and independence that one country gained supposedly for the good of the particular country – to start anew, given a second change is shattered once more through greed and power craze.

In actual sense nothing changes, the country men who have hope for a better future is once again shattered. The brave man and woman who have fought for the country’s freedom, laying down their life, every fiber of their body, to break the bondage and chains of colonization and cruel leaders are long forgotten.

Indeed independence does not come cheap. Many times, blood has to be shed; for a free country… If we are not careful, the same scenario that is happening in our current world affairs can happen to our church as well. The same STRIFE that Satan uses to destroy our world (the physical) can also be used to destroy God’s house (the spiritual). It is already happening…

If only we can all put our differences aside and putting what God wants as the main priority in his house, surely we will have more time to reach out rather than use the time ‘warring’ against one another. It’s hard many times to deny our ‘rights’. But than again, we are no longer our self but of God. If we are to be true disciple, then we have to deny our self and take up the cross, “then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” (Matthew 16:24)

Hard truth perhaps, but much needed if we are to see God’s Kingdom expand. Jesus gives us the freedom from bondage of sin through the shedding of his blood and body, that we may be given a new life – like the many brave man and woman as I have mentioned earlier. It was with a price. Nevertheless, His was a far better plan, better good for mankind – SALVATION. Yet, we see many instances ‘brothers’ (Christians) fight amongst themselves just like the world, forgetting the very price that have been paid for freedom! If we are reckless, we will go through the very same vicious cycle like many of the other countries are going through…

In God’s house, no one is better than the other. Even leaders are merely appointed by God not as how the world would appoint, but appointment through God’s standard in His word. Therefore, we ought to examine our hearts and check our motives. I know it seems lame to some of us to be talking bout all ‘this crap’, but like it or not, God is not please with individuals who are self-centered only wanting the blessings of God for themselves! When challenge to give of time and resources, all kind of excuses is cooked up just to get away from it!

If we give selflessly – and I mean everybody in the house of God, then we can see a far greater work of God! It is a privilege indeed that we are given to serve our Father and we are merely His vessels that He use in touching life, make disciples and plant churches. However, He can only use vessels that live it right with Him. I am not saying that we need to be perfect – than we will all be in heaven with our Father, but a repentance attitude. Zechariah 3:7, "This is what the LORD Almighty says: `If you will walk in my ways and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here.”

OBEDIENCE is after all better than sacrifice, But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king." (1Samuel 15:22-23)

Therefore, let’s keep UNITY in our Father’s house… understanding as well how God works, not the way the world function and works, but according to His very divine nature. Don’t allow and let Satan have a foothold in planting the spirit of strife, when Satan have an inch to it then he will start ruling.

Resolve any issues in our hearts as soon as possible that can birth bitterness, unforgiveness and sin. Be reconciled, do it God’s way!!!