Phil 1:12 to 18

Pastor Bernard Low's messages has often been meditational, offering fresh insight as well as confrontational. In this evening service, he brought to us the portion of God's Word on Phil 1:12 -18 in the liked fashion with the challenge for us to examine our reason in living this life.

In this portion and its context, we were brought to see that the all-consuming desire of the Apostle Paul was to live a life that focus on the furtherance of the Gospel. He had this "why" to live, therefore he could endure almost any "how" -- as fitting the quotation cited by Ptr Bernard. Paul was keenly aware of the sovereignty of God and he had full confidence that the Almight God can use every situations of His servant's life for the progress of the Gospel. Thus, he cheerfuly submitt to His provisions even of adversities, ceased all God's given opportunities to boldly proclaim the Gospel of Christ Crucified. God would bless His own work.

So, what is our reason to live? Why do we do everything that we have done, doing or would be doing? We are confronted by God's Word to reflect on this and to take stock of our life.

I am sure many who have heard this message this evening had in one point or more in their lives thought of this issue. But some, like myself, have never come to a point when we make a firm resolution or stick to one that we had made: i.e. tunning our reason to live to that as pointed in the Word of God and the creed : to Glorify God ( in the way of advancing the Gospel of Christ) and to enjoy Him forever.

Why? Or what it is that hindle us to have the mind/heart/soul-set of Paul? Or what has swayed us away from the same reason?

For myself, I am too easily distracted, too open to temptations. Thus my "Why" take many forms and shapes throught the path of this life. Tonight, God gives me an opportunity to ponder on this yet again.