My Theme In The Fourth Year
After the 3rd reunion anniversary with my Father was a week of holidays. As I spend some time quietly with God, I was kept being reminded about the importance of genuine relationships over religion, and this is my personal theme for the fourth year of my Christian life,
Right now three things remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Paul – [The First Letter to the Corinthians 13:13]
Campus life can sometimes be busy and stressful – we are human – and many times people find relief through religion. Nevertheless, I can go to and serve in church, serve in university and in school while keep studying hard to maintain if not improve my academic performance – I can do all those things and still not having a genuine relationship with my Father and his loved ones – you and I are his loved ones.
To practise mere religion is to have no relationship with God at all. Relationship is grown deeper between two beings only when one is continually communing with another. Mere merits through good deeds and ritualistic practices relate to religion, but a genuine relationship through Love, Hope and Faith leads us directly to God himself and, when we remain one with God,
“At that time you will know that I am in my Father, that you are in me, and that I am in you… the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things…”
Jesus – [John 14:20, 26]
Love, Hope and Faith underlie the foundation of genuine relationship between God and mankind. These principles are applicable among mankind ourselves as well. In my coming articles I will share about this theme of my 2008/09 term in University Malaysia Sabah (UMS), stressing on the importance on genuine relationships over mere religion. After that I’ll share my thoughts on Love, then Hope, and lastly Faith. But, as the saying goes, “Actions speak louder than words.” Pray that I’ll really grow in God this year.
