https://odb.org/MY/2023/08/08/different-together
I think it is good that our Christian faith does not distinguish between Jew or Greek or free or slave or male or female as enumerated by Paul in the first century (see Galatians 3: 23-29 despite some initial disagreements between the Apostles). Paul, as the ambassador appointed by Christ to the Gentiles, stood his ground when some among the leadership were under the impression that to adhere to the faith, conformity to the Law (the Old Covenant) or even Jewish traditions was still required, like, for example, circumcision. However, although the Old Covenant was never abolished, Jesus Christ by His death fulfilled its requirements on our behalf and thus established the New Covenant. We are now living in the age where salvation is by grace, not obedience to the law.
However, the reality on the ground may well be quite different. The same way people stick together with their kind, churches are also formed the same way. In some instances, motivated by a common tongue, but in other instances by skin or creed. In Malaysia, established churches have English, Chinese, and Tamil congregations, whether protestant or Catholic with the English congregation usually comprised of the upper and middle class of professionals and those working in large corporates. It’s probably a legacy of the history of our society, previously ruled by the British but possibly sub-consciously congregating based on a common tongue or similar socio-economic backgrounds. Newer independent churches who are not large enough to have multiple congregations run bilingual worship services. Even in Sarawak, we can see distinct Iban/Dayak and Chinese churches. When I was in Bangkok last year, I attended a Cantonese church comprised mostly of settlers from Hong Kong and Cantonese-speaking Mainlanders.
The congregation of believers based on language is perhaps an unavoidable consequence of God having diversified our languages post Tower of Babel. It doesn’t change the fact that Christ died for all, and there is no distinction in our faith whether one is Chinese, Dayak, or Indian. But sadly, there are still prejudices, whether among or within congregations, based on race, upbringing, vocation, or socio-economic status. Sometimes, it’s somewhat hypocritical, we appear to accept, and yet we don’t really deep inside us.
The message this morning is to look at everyone through the lens of Christ. He died for all, Jew or Gentile, Greek or Roman, European or Asian or Latino, coloured or white, Japanese, Chinese or Korean or Thai or Indonesian or Filipino or Samoan. We are all the same in the Kingdom of God, whatever our ethnicity or ancestry or wealth (or lack thereof) or education or profession or station in life. Everyone has an equal chance to make it past the finish line once we have signed on to the race. Every race is an individual race catered to our specific needs and abilities, and yet all of us are in this together. Help one another to finish the race. There is no special prize for finishing first as once we finish, the game is over. In fact, there might be a crown of glory for those who help others who are struggling to finish their races. The more we lose our human prejudices and look at others like Christ, the more effective we will be as fellow servants in Christ!
Ronnie's Thoughts 