Freedom Brings Self-control
Recently C-Mo and I have been under tremendous stress, both internally and externally. The outside society is unrest while urgent personnel matters call for attention within the church. In such a difficult time, God has led us to birth the tenth core value of our church: Freedom Brings Self-control. Through the Sunday preaching series, this important message is being passed on to our brothers and sisters to cater to the needs of the present situation.
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1) In the past we were all under the yoke of slavery, unaware of our sin and unable not to sin, having absolutely no freedom in sin. Praise the Lord that Christ has set us free and He empowers us to overcome the bondage of sin. Then we follow the ways of this world no more and are able to live a holy life, this is true freedom.
True freedom brings self-control but the freedom without self-control is the indulgence of the flesh. I realize that the greater authority we possess, the more self-control we must exert. Self-control is the ability to master our flesh and emotions. “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.” (Galatians 5:19-21) Facing the division and violence in Hong Kong, we should exercise greater tolerance and self-control, neither to bite nor devour each other. Instead, let us care for each other.
Thank God! The Truth is to set us free. I strongly believe that this Godgiven core value is to enable our church to face the turmoil and stay unshaken by the Word of God.
Apart from God’s Word, praying is key to gaining power. In the Monthly Prayer Meeting on 8th August, 1,443 of us gathered together to pray for Hong Kong. Two hours after the meeting, a record of 1,515 times of cloud-to-ground lightning was made in Hong Kong Observatory while the number was nought prior to that. To me, it was God responding to our prayer through astrological phenomenon so that we are fully aware that He answers our prayer!
Hearing that over a thousand people joined the “Rekindle Fire of Love 247” course, I am deeply grateful. Obviously, God is reviving our prayer life. In order to fan prayer into greater flame, “Rekindle Fire of Love 247 prayer meeting” will be held every Wednesday night as of 21st August. There, we will keep praying for the peace of Jerusalem to come upon Hong Kong until the peril is turned into safety in Hong Kong. May we also urge brothers and sisters to build up worship altars at home and pray with church members for Hong Kong at any time and everywhere.
It is the will of God to make Hong Kong a blessing to Asia. Hong Kong can be a base for revival only when it has peace. Dear brothers and sisters, it is high time for us to seek God earnestly! Let our prayers be set before God as incense as He brings down His power and peace to Hong Kong! • [2019.08.18]