Live godly lives in difficult times

God has made human beings with the freedom to choose. Ever since Adam and Eve fell to the deception of Satan, mankind continues to make choices without reference to God’s will.

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! (Isa 5:20 ESV) 

God offers everyone two choices: a) eternal life by loving and obeying God or b) eternal death by rejecting God (Deut 30:19-20).

We read of moral failures of politicians, lawyers, doctors, professors, parents, and religious leaders. The Bible warns that God’s righteous wrath is upon all who fail to live up to His standard of a moral and righteous life (see Romans 1:18-2:16). The wrath of God was poured on Jesus when He was crucified. Jesus took our place and paid the penalty because no one can meet God’s righteous standards. Everyone who believes in Jesus is no longer under God’s wrath.

We are living in times of difficulties: addiction to drugs, alcohol, gambling and computer-gaming, sexual immorality, greed, abuse of children, spouses and the aged, and so on.

In Singapore, do citizens feel safer with anti-gun, anti-drug, and anti-corruption laws? Some people insist on the freedom of choice. Freedom is relative. A killer, an addict, a cheat, or an aggressor makes his or her choice with disregard for others who are adversely affected. What then is true freedom?

We must prepare our minds to battle for the truth and live in the true freedom of Christ Jesus. Let us choose to live godly lives in these difficult times.

Jesus says, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). This freedom is not to be abused to satisfy one’s sinful nature (Gal 5:13).

We who are saved by Jesus are commanded to worship and obey God. We must be willing to be instructed by the Holy Spirit and must diligently study the Bible which has God’s instructions for righteous living.

Elder Yoong Yuen Soo