My Home is Only Jesus Christ
In two days’ time, it will be the Mid-Autumn Festival. In countries that celebrate this holiday, people often travel back to their hometown. While our hometown is the place we were born, a more significant reason is that our parents, who gave us life are there. Similarly, our spiritual hometown is where we are born spiritually but at the same time it is where the one who gave us spiritual life resides. Then, who created us and gave us life?
We can consider this in two ways. First, as stated in John 1:1-3, the Word was present at the beginning, and everything was created by the Word. In the creation account of Genesis 1, humans were created on the sixth day. Therefore, since humans were also created by the Word, the Word becomes our spiritual parents and our spiritual hometown.
Secondly, in 1 Cor 4:15, Apostle Pual speaks to the Corinthians, saying he became their father through the Word. This doesn’t mean Paul physically created them, but rather when he shared the Word, the faith in Jesus Christ was born in their hearts. As a result, they were restored to the state of a believer (Rom 10:17).
In Gal 4:19, Paul expresses that when the Galatians’ faith matured, enabling them to call God their Father, he used the phrase “I am in labor with you.” Similarly, in Philemon 1:10, he speaks of Onesimus, who became a servant of Christ, as one he “begot” during his imprisonment.
From these scriptures, we see that the reason we, who were once sinners, were reborn as believers in Christ and can now call God our Father is because of the Word. The Word is our spiritual parent and our true home.
How can we become people who honor our spiritual parents and please them?
- We must have faith in God
How can we please our spiritual Parent? Hebrews 11:6 says that without faith, it is impossible to please God. Then, Rom 10:17 says that by hearing the Word of Christ, the faith will be formed. So, the way to please God is by hearing, believing, and obeying His Word.
In Matthew 3:16-17, when Jesus was baptized, a voice from heaven declared, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” However, in Philippians 2:5-8, we see that Jesus pleased God by humbling Himself and being obedient to the point of death.
Beloved members, do you want to please God, your spiritual Parent? Then, listen carefully to His Word, have faith, and strive for mature faith, as mentioned in Romans 1:17. Empty yourself and live a life of obedience, faithfully serving the work entrusted to you. I believe that when you do this, you will become the one who pleases God (Acts 20:24).
- Live with a mind set on the Spirit
Romans 8:5-8 teaches us that mind set on the flesh leads to death, and those who live according to the flesh cannot please God. However, if we reverse this statement, it means a mind set on the Spirit leads to life and peace, and that pleases God. For example, today is the holy and blessed Lord’s Day, the day we gather to worship God. But if, during the service, your mind wanders or you are thinking about meeting friends later, that is a mindset of the flesh. Focusing on worship, offering your ears and heart to God, is living with the mind of the Spirit (Romans 12:1).
Furthermore, in our daily lives, whether in our work or business, we must always keep God’s work in mind. It’s not that Monday through Saturday belongs to us, and Sunday for two hours belongs to God. All seven days and all our time belong to Him. 1 Cor 10:31 tells us that whatever we do, whether eating or drinking, we should do it all for the glory of God.
Those who consistently set their minds on spiritual matters will have an unshakable faith, no matter the circumstances.
A law was established to bring Daniel to his death, but because Daniel always set his mind on God’s work and spiritual matters, he did not yield to the situation. Instead, he kept praying as before, with his windows open toward Jerusalem (Daniel 6:10).
When you start your day with prayer, pray on your way to work, and even pray before meeting clients, you fill your life with the mind of the Spirit. When you live this way, no matter what difficulties may come, you will become a person of unshakable faith. Furthermore, God will deliver you from whatever challenges arise.
- Love God and Love Your Neighbours as Yourself
In Matthew 8:5-10, we see a Roman centurion. His servant was paralyzed and suffering terribly, so he came to Jesus. When Jesus said He would come and heal him, the centurion responded, “Just say the word, and my servant will be healed,” demonstrating great faith. While we often focus on the centurion’s faith, another important aspect is his deep love toward his servant.
The centurion was a wealthy man and did not need to personally seek out Jesus for his servant. In those days, a servant was easily replaceable. However, the centurion’s love for his servant moved him to seek out Jesus.
The founding pastor has explained that while Jesus was impressed by the centurion’s faith, He was also pleased with the centurion’s love for his servant.
Conclusion:
Let us be with the Word
Every one loves their homeland, and in the same way, we must genuinely love our spiritual hometown, which is the Word.
Jhn 15:7 explains when the Word of God dwells in us, our prayers will be answered. Without the Word, we have nothing. But with the Word, we have everything. I pray in the name of the Lord that the congregation of the Lord’s Covenant Church will love the Word, read it, listen to it, believe in it, and obey it, so that God the Father may be well-pleased and bless you.
The Lord's Covenant Church Malaysia 