Growing in Interdependence

How many of you actually spend time to read the Youth Buzz portion in the church bulletin at Youth Service? I must admit, most of the time, I am more excited about how the cover of each week's bulletin looks like! Hands up those of you who can identify with me. Wow, so many of you. It's true. The Youth Buzz portion, being just one sheet is often easily missed. But I have come to discover and realise for myself that within this one sheet of paper contain many gems and words of wisdom towards living a Godly life! Here's something I read that really challenged the way I live my life... [+]

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16 NASB)

"If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit." (Galatians 5:25 NASB)

In the first quarter of this Year of Sabbath, we got back to basics in our PERSONAL walk with the Lord. We've focused on reading the Word and Prayer, on Fasting and Repentance. Individually, we need to continue walking (Galatians 5:16) in the Spirit, so that we will not carry out the desires of the flesh.

Yet the Greek word for "walking" by the Spirit in Galatians 5:25 refers to a CORPORATE walk in the Spirit. We need to learn to walk in step with one another "in the Spirit".

Consider the following checks and guidelines gleaned from a teaching by Pastor Benny Ho.

3 things that can cause dis-unity in the Body of Christ:

• Do we get conceited, "do our own thing" and pull ahead of the Body?
• Are we excessively competitive and cause others to pull aside in the ministry?
• Do we get envious of others' successes and pull out of the race in order to "save face"?

3 things we must do to keep in step with one another:

• Is there someone who has fallen and needs a helping hand?
• Is there something you can do to help those who are overloaded?
• Is there a place where you need to take personal responsibility to carry your own load?

Let's commit to march as one army, so that we can corporately enter God's rest. A step-by-step walk individually, as well as corporately, into God's glory.

As I reflected upon some of the points mentioned, I realised that even in ministry, it is very easy for us to become critical about some of the things that we see other people do and adopt a "self-righteous", holier-than-thou attitude that says, "I am better than you. I know how to do things better, so I will just go ahead and do my own thing. Make sure you don't hold me back or pull me down."

I was reminded of Hebrews 10:24 - "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." The Lord reminded me about the need to consider for others in our community and spiritual family. Are we genuinely concerned about the people around us or do we take them for granted and use them as a stepping stone to make ourselves look good? Before you say, "No, I am not like that" too quickly, take time to let the Holy Spirit search your heart. And as the Lord reveals to you, ask yourself what is one thing you can do this week to keep in step with one another.


Joshua Teo