Dare To Speak The Truth In Love
In my last few entries, I highlighted articles about the recent developement and issues in regards to Christianity and Churches in Malaysia. And if you are a Christian reading this, I sincerely hope that you are aware of what is happening or is going to happen to the Churches. It’s so sad to see the Christian Community turning a deaf ear or overlooked these issues. Example; the use of the word “Allah”, the confiscation of Bibles, permits to operate churches in shoplots and factory lots, and even from the Islamic NGOs demands of electoral candidates and future state and federal governments. (here)
As I have mentioned before, it’s time to Christians wake up from playing “church” and our “happy little family.” Do not be ignorant about what’s happening around us. Sometimes I think, the Christians care more about ourselves than the social justice in our country. We are more concerned about our “sheep,” the size and growth of our church, our Christian activities, that we have forgotten that there is a world outside the church. We have forgotten about our obligations to the society and the world. And to a point that we have even lost touch with reality.
As Christians, we should be able to speak the truth with love. We should be defending the rights of the oppresed. We should be defending the rights of our religion. We should be the salt of the earth and light to the world. Don’t just keep to our little corner, one day that little corner will be taken away and we will have no place to stand. By then, it will be too late to cry over our spilled milk.
Here is a letter written by a brother who shared his personal thoughts and experienced and dare to “speak the truth with love.”
The Balaams and Jonahs of Malaysia
Product of the System | Feb 24, 08 3:37pm
In the wake of recent and significant events – the Lina Joy verdict, the Hindraf rally, corpse- kidnapping, and Najib Razak’s declaration that Malaysia had all along been an Islamic state, I have been utterly disappointed at the meek responses of the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF) and Council of Churches Malaysia (CCM).
At a time when individuals of all echelons of society are stepping out of their comfort zones to make a stand for social justice and absolute truth, many churches, especially the politically- connected ones, are shying away from facing the bitter truth about the direction Malaysia has taken in the last few years. Apart from a few well-worded, politically correct media statements on issues affecting Christians and non-Muslims, I see no concrete action on the part of the NECF and CCM.
Instead of being blunt and honest like Jesus was to the Pharisees of his time, Christian leaders are seemingly inundating believers with selective good news and lame reassurances that all is well in an ailing nation. Even as rose-bearing Hindraf children are courageously facing the water cannons of Umno, the Christian and church leaders have hitherto remained strangely silent. It is in total contradiction to the Bible’s commandment for believers to ‘seek judgement for the oppressed’.
In general, Christian leaders have behaved as though the religious discrimination endured by our Hindu brethren bear no relevance to the present or future survival of the Christian community. A quick review of NECF’s and CCM’s responses to significant Malaysian issues will show a dismay track record. (cont - Malaysiakini)