Greater Treasures & Pearls Ministeries

Gtpministries.org – Shalom … Happy Sunday to the beloved brother of the Lord Jesus Christ. Good morning, greetings from God to all of us. May God pour His grace and blessings on your work and life with your family today. Amen.

Before we start our activities, or no matter how busy our activities are, let’s take a moment for quiet time: giving thanks, praying for guidance from God, reading and meditating on God’s word, while giving thanks for all the blessings we have received.

This week’s reflection is entitled Receive the Holy Spirit. We will read God’s Word in John 20:19-23

Beloved brothers and sisters of the Lord Jesus Christ. What the students experienced at that time, we can also feel and experience in our lives today. Very often we worry and fear what happens in our lives first, rather than strengthening our faith in the Lord Jesus.

In fact, without us realizing it, we know that the Lord Jesus already knows and understands who and how we are. God has also prepared the best to help us face everything. God never leaves us. Even God’s word tells us that He is faithful and has poured out His Holy Spirit to guide us through our lives at this time.

There is an illustration of a little girl who is going to go somewhere on a motorbike with her mother. This little girl knew that the road they took during their journey would pass through a river to reach their destination. Hearing this, the little girl panicked and worried whether they would make it through the river and reach their destination. In the end, on every journey they take they reach their destination.

Then the little girl said to her mother: “Mother, I was very panicked and worried because I knew that to reach our destination, we would definitely have to cross several rivers, but it turns out that every time we passed there were people who had installed bridges so that we and everyone who passes through that small stream can pass through it.”

Often we are like the little girl in the illustration. We easily panic and worry before we overcome the problems of our lives. Even though there are still ways for God to help us in dealing with everything in our lives.

God comes and changes our fear as humans, and replaces it with peace in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Receive the Holy Spirit in our lives, because everyone who believes, when we receive the Holy Spirit in our lives, then automatically we have also received Jesus in our lives.

For this reason, when we receive the Holy Spirit in our lives, there will no longer be any worry or even fear within us. We will actually be shaped into strong and resilient individuals until we feel God’s peace and joy flowing into our lives. Amen

Gtpministries.org – We will read together God’s Word taken from John 20:19-23 which reads as follows:

“When it was evening on the first day of the week, the disciples of Jesus gathered in a place with the doors locked because they were afraid of the Jews. At that time Jesus came and stood in the midst of them and said: “Peace be with you!” And after saying this, He showed them His hands and His stomach. The disciples rejoiced when they saw God. Then Jesus said again: “Peace be with you! Just as the Father sent me, so now I send you.” And after saying this, He breathed on them and said: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive people’s sins, their sins are forgiven, and if you declare that people’s sins remain, their sins remain.”

My brothers and sisters, as Christians, we are still in the atmosphere of Easter celebrations and specifically the moments of Jesus’ appearance. In celebrating Easter, we remember the resurrection of the Lord Jesus from the cross or death. Resurrection is the strength of our hope in the midst of difficult situations that we may still experience.

We live in increasingly difficult times with various problems that come and go. The Covid-19 pandemic, increasingly high prices of goods, fuel that is increasingly scarce and increasingly difficult to reach, agricultural problems and so on. In other words, in the midst of all existing struggles, we remain faithful to Christ and face all existing challenges with hope because of the risen Christ.

With the resurrection, we must say that the Christian faith is not centered on death or suffering, the Christian faith does not glorify suffering. The suffering that Jesus went through through the terrible cross was the reality that Jesus had to face. Likewise, the suffering we experience is a reality that we must face, but the Christian faith does not glorify suffering. That cross, that suffering is a sign of God’s love for us.

My brothers, this emphasis is important. Because we often witness extraordinary acts of violence that occur in our lives. It’s so easy for people to commit violence for whatever reason. It could be said that we are in a culture of death. In a culture of death, human life is not valued. Violence was even enthusiastically welcomed as a solution.

Isn’t that what we saw when Jesus was crucified? When the crowds cry crucify him, crucify him. The roar of cheers seemed to welcome the death of a human being as a collective victory. The culture of death produces dehumanizing lives, which deliberately use suffering to create trauma. Thus the scene of the horror of the cross succeeded in creating trauma, causing the gripping fear experienced by the disciples.

Brothers and sisters, it must be acknowledged that the culture of death continues to penetrate our lives to this day. Various forms of humanitarian violations continue to occur everywhere. In fact, we consider it as something normal. That’s precisely why the Easter story moves us. Through the resurrection of Jesus, God invites us to bring the spirit of life, the spirit of life is a humanizing spirit, a spirit of compassion, a spirit of peace. Even on the cross, Jesus echoed the spirit of life. For example, Jesus said: Father, forgive them because they do not know what they are doing. The word forgive is a sign of the spirit of life, this spirit is further strengthened by the narrative of the resurrection and appearance of the Lord Jesus.

Brothers and sisters, the spirit of life that is central to Christian life can be read from the testimony of the Gospel of John, in the story of Jesus’ appearance to His disciples (John 20:19-23). We know that the atmosphere that enveloped the disciples was an atmosphere of fear because of the events that preceded it, namely the crucifixion of Jesus.

This atmosphere of fear and terror is clearly described by John in verse 19, where the disciples gathered with the doors locked because of their fear of the Jews. It could be said that an atmosphere of fear truly dominated the lives of Jesus’ disciples. With the atmosphere that enveloped them at that time, they could hardly do anything, in front of them there was the shadow of fear, the shadow of death or other bad things that could happen. This is an example of what is called the culture of death, where a person’s life is shackled by a certain situation that is surrounding them. Life in the midst of war, for example hostility, violence, ignorance are examples of life where humans are shackled by their lives.

In such a situation, Jesus appeared to them. He appeared among them with words of peace. These words are an expression of greeting that Jesus conveyed to His disciples. This greeting is a Jewish custom which contains goodwill in relations between fellow humans. Greetings are a manifestation of dignified relations between fellow humans. Greetings also contain the meaning of blessings conveyed to other people. So with greetings, there is an expression of relationship, there is an expression of dignified human relations from one party to another. Thus, with this greeting, Jesus wanted to express His love and mercy and that God is always in relationship with His infinite people.

In verse 19, the greeting spoken by Jesus means peace to you. Peace is a condition where a person finds a state of inner calm, joy of brotherhood. Meanwhile, prosperity is a form of life that is full of joy, prosperity and happiness.

Brothers and sisters. From the story of Jesus’ appearance which is an inseparable part of Jesus’ resurrection, we find the spirit of life that shapes life or the culture of life. In the story of Jesus’ appearance, we find the culture of life defeating the culture of death. Or greetings of peace that defeat fear. Therefore, brothers and sisters, the Christian faith is a faith that is pro-life and not pro-death. The Christian faith is a faith that carries the values ​​of life and not death.

The Easter story is one of the proofs of Jesus’ resurrection, not the suffering and cross, which are the pinnacle of Christian faith. Suffering and the cross are proof of love which is a sign of the spirit of life. As a community that believes in the resurrection of Jesus, believers are also called to live a culture of life in all believers’ lives. Therefore, let’s together carry the spirit of life by offering greetings of peace and brotherhood to others without distinction between ethnicity, religion, race and class.

As a church, we must see humans and each other in the same position as God’s creation. As a church, we treat people in a spirit of love without making distinctions between one another. Therefore, with the story of Jesus’ appearance, let us look in the mirror to continuously reflect on ourselves, whether as a church the culture of life has been present in the midst of our lives? In the midst of family, church and society? If we believe in the risen Jesus then we are called to bring the spirit of life and principles of life into our lives.

Brothers and sisters. Christians are at the center of national and state life in our beloved Republic of Indonesia. Our nation is a great nation and the differences that exist are proof of the greatness of this nation. These existing differences can lead us into division and disintegration. The culture of death which is manifested in a culture of violence in the form of intolerance, coercion and so on can lead us to destruction, but the spirit of life which is manifested in the culture of life will bring us all together as one nation.

Let us take care of our human relationships as fellow creatures of God. To be a bringer of peace, to be a fighter for a life full of peace in this country that we love, Indonesia. Enjoy the resurrection of Jesus Christ and peace to all of us. Amen

Gtpministries.org – Prayer is a request that we hope for and will definitely happen. This is not just an ordinary saying, but contains a basic truth and is an important requirement for human life, such as the importance of breath for human life. We may spend more time doing our work and busy doing our daily activities.

In fact, we as followers of Christ must give ourselves time first to pray as the Lord Jesus did early in the morning. He prayed before carrying out His Work and Activities (Mark 1:35).

Prayer is a simple action that can be done anywhere and at any time and is not limited by time and space. Just like Jonah who prayed in the belly of the fish, he prayed in very difficult situations and conditions, but he still remembered to pray (Jonah 2:1). Maybe we pray when we want to eat, when we are worshiping, when we are alone, in quiet time, when visiting sick people, in times of distress and despair, or when we are very happy, we pray.

There are some people who may no longer pray because of their busy schedules in their daily activities. Maybe there are people who used to pray diligently but because God never answered their prayers, they no longer pray at all. He thought that God did not hear his prayers. What’s even sadder is that there are those who think prayer is meaningless and of no use at all.

But God’s Word clearly says that the prayer of a righteous person, when prayed with confidence, has great power (James 5:16). The Lord Jesus guarantees that whatever we ask in prayer with full confidence, we will receive it (Matthew 22:21).

But a question arises for us, is it in this digital era, are there still people who pray tirelessly? Indeed, this doubt has existed since the time of Jesus. And in the Sermon on the Mount, Lord Jesus firmly said: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.”

There are three important points from this verse which will be explained below:

First, Ask. Asking means we are aware of our needs (Philippians 4:6). God teaches us to ask based on what we need, and not what we want. Especially if we ask or pray only to satisfy our desires. (James 4:3).

Asking means we are aware of our abilities (John 15:7). We are like branches that cannot do anything apart from the vine, namely the Lord Jesus Christ.

Asking means we are hoping for the Giver (Matthew 8:2). When we pray, we hope for Jesus Christ as the Answerer of prayer. We are compared to a leper who came to the Lord Jesus to cleanse his leprosy. In this case, the Lord Jesus was not only able to cleanse the leper, but moreover He was willing and willing to cleanse the leper. Likewise with our prayers to God, He is always willing and willing to answer our prayers.

Second, look for it. To seek means not to remain silent, but to strive (Matthew 13:45). In waiting for the answer to our prayers, we must not remain silent but must do something that is our part, until God answers our prayers, which are His part.

Searching means using all available facilities (eyes, feet, brain, hands) (Jeremiah 29:7). The prophet Jeremiah was told by God to pray and seek prosperity in the city where they were exiled, namely Babylon.

Likewise, we must pray and try by mobilizing all our efforts, energy and thoughts for the welfare of our family, neighbors, community, government and nation and the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia because the welfare of the nation and country where we are is our welfare too.

Third, tap. Knocking requires patience and steadfastness (Romans 12:12). The Apostle Paul reminded the congregation in Rome to always be patient and steadfast in waiting for answers to prayer and not to knock on other doors than God’s.

Knocking is a repetitive action (Luke 18:1-8). The Lord Jesus taught that when it comes to praying, it should be done diligently and repeatedly. Why did the Lord Jesus take the parable of a widow who pleaded with a tyrannical judge to defend her case? The answer was, because of perseverance and patience and not getting tired of coming to plead with the tyrannical judge, his request was granted by the tyrannical judge, even though the tyrannical judge did not fear God and did not respect anyone.

Won’t God justify His chosen people who cry out to Him day and night? Surely God will answer our prayers that sincerely ask Him, because He is a good Father.

As God’s children who have been allowed by Him, let us pray tirelessly for our families, neighbors, community, government to be given wisdom and wisdom in carrying out our duties and responsibilities to bring prosperity to the nation and the United State of the Republic of Indonesia, may the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ joins and blesses us all. Amen.

Gtpministries.org

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

Many things are happening right now. The pandemic has caused everything to change. The world is changing, and our circumstances are changing too. What used to be years of success and prosperity are quickly turning into failure and sorrowful situations.

But, whatever is happening right now, the world may change and life may change, but we have a God who never changes.

In times like these, some of us may have lost direction and purpose in life, and even faced rejection. With this, I invite my beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord, to look to God and run to Him because He is a strong tower.

Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”

God is willing to help us and open Himself to us. It is an invitation from Jesus to us in these times that God is willing and able to help us. Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

God is willing and able to do everything for us if:

1. We come to Him.

Coming to God is not just a one-time thing, but it must be continuous. Because He always opens Himself to us in the midst of any situation.

The word of God, Matthew 11:28, begins with the words “Come to Me,” showing how much God cares about our lives. He wants us to always be close to Him and never give up or stop coming to Him.

2. We are willing to learn from Him.

Matthew 11:29 says, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

God is a good teacher who always makes time to teach us many things, especially in the midst of such situations. Many of us no longer know the direction and purpose of our lives, and even our minds have reached a dead end.

The way God teaches us is different from the way humans teach. Sometimes there are many things we don’t understand, but He understands, and perhaps what we don’t know, He knows very well. Believe that every problem we face is a learning process in this life. God’s eyes are always on us. He teaches us the paths we must take.

Psalm 32:8 says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Learning from God helps us understand what God’s plan is for our lives.

3. We continue to believe in His promises.

Matthew 11:30 says, “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” A promise from God through the above scripture that every burden we face, if we are willing to come to Him and learn from Him, we become His partner. Thus, the burden we face will not be heavy because it has been carried and borne by Him. We never bear it alone because we are God’s partners. He who willingly died for us, even died on the cross, gave His life for us.

God’s promises never change. Perhaps at this moment, we continue to pray and even wonder why God does not stop the Covid pandemic? Never ask why, but continue to learn to understand God’s promises through His word.

Because the Word is God Himself, and the Word is alive and real within us.

Luke 11:10 says, “For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Are we knocking on God’s door right now? Or whose door are we knocking on?

Return to God and believe in His promises. When we ask, we receive. When we seek, we find. When we knock, the door is opened to each one of us.

God declares His ability that He can do anything. Luke 1:37 says, “For no word from God will ever fail.”

Believe, my brothers and sisters, that God is willing and able to do everything in our lives. Because He is a God who cares and understands. God bless you all.

Gtpministries.org – This week’s study focuses on the Word of God taken from: Luke 10:30-35

30. Jesus replied: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'”

We are grateful to the Lord that we are placed in this pluralistic Indonesia. Indonesia, consisting of thousands of islands, has a population of around 280 million people. We live amidst diversity; in ethnicity, language, and religion. Thus, our nation is known as a multicultural nation.

How do we as Christians live amidst this diversity? How can we live harmoniously and in peace with those who are different from us?

The Lord Jesus teaches us to love our fellow human beings as ourselves. This is very understandable, for it is the same Lord who created us and others.

God loves all humans regardless of their ethnic background, nationality, culture, language, or religion. God gives the sun to both the good and the evil. He also gives seasons to all human beings. We are all fellow creatures of God.

There are several things that indicate that all human beings are the same, namely:

1. All humans are created by the same God – Eph. 2:10
2. All humans are created in the image and likeness of God – Gen. 1:26
3. All humans have a spirit within them to worship God – Zech. 12:1, John 4:24
4. All humans are vessels to be filled by God – Rom. 9:21-23
5. God loves all humans – John 3:16
6. God desires all humans to be saved – 1 Tim. 2:3-4
7. The Lord Jesus died for all humans – Rom. 5:8

Thus, we can understand that we are all the same. In order for us to live in harmony and peace in the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, we need to see our similarities with others so that we can pay attention to each other, help each other, and cooperate and collaborate to realize a better life.

The above Word of God teaches us that not only can we live in harmony with those who are different from us, but we can also help and serve those who are not the same as us. The Lord Jesus conveyed this to answer a question from a Torah expert who asked who our fellow human beings are. The passage above shows us that there was a man who was robbed and violently attacked. Not only was his property stolen, but he was also beaten and left half-dead.

We might ask: Who is this person who was robbed? Although it is not clearly stated about his ethnicity, nationality, or religion, since these words were spoken by the Lord Jesus to answer a question from a Torah expert and because the person who was robbed came from Jerusalem, we can know that the person who was robbed was a Jew.

At that time, there was a prevailing chauvinistic view that considered fellow beings to be of the same race and religion. Samaria was a major area in the northern part of the state of Israel, also its capital city (1 Kings 16:24, 29). Around 700 BC, the Assyrians conquered this place, then brought people from Babylon and pagan nations to inhabit it (2 Kings 17:6, 24). Since then, the inhabitants there (the Samaritans) became a mixed-blood society between pagans and Jews. But the Jews did not recognize them as part of the Jewish people.

When seeing that there was someone who really needed help, the heart of this Samaritan was moved by compassion, immediately helping the person who was almost dying. Actually, this Samaritan had many reasons not to help: the Jews were not friendly with the Samaritans; the Jews did not consider the Samaritans as part of the Jewish people; the Jews avoided socializing or even crossing paths with the Samaritans; the Jews considered the Samaritans as second-class citizens.

I am reminded of Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, a figure of religious moderation, who said: “Religious moderation never uses terms like ‘enemy,’ ‘opponent,’ ‘fight,’ or ‘eliminate’ against those who are considered excessive and beyond the limits in religion. Because the goal of religious moderation is to invite, embrace, and bring those who are considered excessive and beyond the limits, to be willing to come to the middle for a fairer and more balanced approach to religion. Furthermore, in religious moderation, there is no such thing as an enemy and hostility, but rather guidance and comfort for even the most extreme.”

Thus, we know that in terms of religious moderation, it is not the religion that needs to be moderated but the way we practice religion, the implementation of religion in daily life that needs to be moderated.

Brothers and sisters, perhaps you are a public official or a community leader, perhaps you are a leader in a company, or perhaps you are a civil servant. The Lord has placed us in this multicultural country. Whoever we are, we are Samaritans today, we are servants of the Lord, whom the Lord has placed in our respective positions, we are servants of life.

Although the Samaritan was not regarded by the Jews, as soon as he saw the dying man, he immediately helped him, without asking about his religion, identity, or even questioning how the Jews had treated the Samaritans up to that point. May the Lord continue to bless us, so that our hearts are preserved like this Samaritan, easily moved by compassion. If someone is not a fellow believer, they are certainly a brother in humanity. Amen.

Gtpministries.org – Overall, the Book of Galatians has a central theme, which is freedom or liberty. This is not a ticket mpo slot to continue living in sin. Instead, it is the Christian freedom that enables us to be more in tune with God’s will. It is also the power of Christians to live in victory over sin that comes solely from the Holy Spirit.

From the perspective of Galatians, chapter 5 generally begins with news about Christian Freedom. The key sentence in this chapter is “Christ has set us free from the power of sin and death” (Galatians 5:1). Therefore, we are no longer slaves to sin, but we live led by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16).

This means that with Christ, our lives begin to be enriched with the fruits of the Spirit. That is the life that Christ desires for His people. In his explanation, the Apostle Paul, as the author of the letter to the Galatians, reminds us that we belong to Christ. It means that we need to crucify the flesh with all its desires and passions. Only after that can our lives be led by the Spirit prediksi gunung kawi.

Galatians 5:25, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” In this verse, there is a phrase that is a repetition of verse 16a, which has the same meaning but with a different emphasis. The difference in verse 16a is:

First, live by the Spirit. The phrase in Greek is “pneumati peripateite.” This phrase is interpreted as “walk by/with/in the Spirit.” The command peripateite (walk/live) comes from the root word “peripateô.”

Second, live by the Spirit. This is a translation of the Greek text “zômen Pneumati”. The word zômen (live) is rooted in the word zaô referring to a good and orderly life. While pneumati (Spirit) is rooted in the Greek word pneuma which means wind, air, or breath; the Holy Spirit is the one who gives the breath of life. Thus, the journey referred to here shows an official journey, walking to carry out a certain mandate; it means walking according to the guidelines—marching in line, lining up in a military row, disciplined steps.

Living in harmony with the Holy Spirit implies that we walk formally, in line with disciplined steps according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Thus, the journey of Christians is a journey to carry out the sacred mission of God, which always remains focused on God’s purpose for this world, and the entire journey will continue to be controlled by God Himself. This is not just an ordinary journey, but it is a journey of grace accompanied and led by God Himself. Truly amazing.

Referring to all the meanings above, living in harmony with the Holy Spirit in the context of Indonesian society, which has diverse cultures, ethnicities, languages, and religions, then it is only right that Christians should be able to maintain a ‘rhythm’ of brotherhood based on love. The Lord Jesus summarized all the laws of the Torah in two main laws, as in the Gospel of Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus said to him: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. This means that the journey of becoming a Christian is a journey that upholds the dignity of humans as fellow creations of God.

There are several impacts that can be seen regarding living in harmony with the Holy Spirit. First, living in harmony with God. A life that is in harmony with the Holy Spirit is God’s purpose for humanity. In the Bible, we actually find many people who are willing to live in harmony with God. Genesis 5:22 says, “Enoch walked with God…” meaning Enoch’s life rhythm was in harmony with God. Enoch lived in a time when people did not remember God. They forgot God, and God was outside their lives. But Enoch was different from the people of his time.

Second, living in harmony with others. The journey of a Christian is not a solitary journey, but a journey together with others. In the journey together with others, then all differences are a wealth to be grateful for. Through a journey full of differences, the fruits of the spirit become more alive and real, expressing our identity as Christians. In Galatians 5:22-23 Paulus explains the fruit of the Spirit as follows: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Third, living in harmony with nature or other created beings. Through nature, God provides human needs to be enjoyed. Currently, the phenomenon of environmental damage has become a globally relevant issue that needs to be addressed wisely and judiciously. Environmental destruction, exploitation of the sea, and indiscriminate waste disposal are scenes that occur everywhere. Yet in Genesis 1: 11, 12, 26, 28 it gives scriptural clarity that responsibility is given over the earth/land. Specifically in verse 28, “And God blessed them. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'”

Humanity rules the earth, not based on human rights, but based on trust from God. Let us maintain the harmony of this life so that the earth becomes a comfortable place for all of God’s creation. Amen.

Gtpministries.org – I convey this to my fellow believers and fellow countrymen in Indonesia. All praise and gratitude goes to God’s presence for all God’s goodness that we are enjoying right now.

Dear brothers and sisters, let us meditate together on God’s Word this morning which is taken from the Book of Colossians 4:5-6 which reads as follows: “Live wisely among the pagans, and make the best use of every day.” chance. Keep your conversations friendly and interesting so you’ll get appropriate responses from everyone.”

When I read the book of Colossians, I was reminded of the lives of believers at that time who were faced with challenges from outside parties who challenged the Christian faith, namely denying the divinity of Jesus Christ. Similar things are happening around us today. There are some people whose faith is weak. Therefore, Paul reminds us that we must grow and be rooted in Christ (2:6-7). There are also people who believe in the influence of empty myths and philosophies, turning away from their original faith in Christ and disrupting relationships with each other.

In fact, the situation and conditions we are currently experiencing are not much different from the past. Often we are faced with difficult situations and conditions in various aspects of life. We are faced with a national crisis, a humanitarian crisis and a crisis of faith. Therefore, my brothers, I appeal to all Christians wherever we are, to reflect deeply on how we and our brothers should take the attitude commanded by the Apostle Paul in his letter.

There are three things we must do to maintain harmonious relations in church and state life. First: Live wisely (verse 5). As believers in Christ, I am sure that we will be given wisdom by God through the Holy Spirit who resides and governs our lives. Jesus Christ is God’s wisdom for us. The wisdom from above is pure, peaceful, friendly, obedient, full of compassion and good fruit, impartial and sincere (James 3:17). As believers, we must not be jealous, not be selfish, not be arrogant, and not lie about the truth (James 3:14).

In facing all life’s problems, our role as Christians is to actively contribute to the government in building this great nation. I am proud as the successor of the past generation who gave birth to Pancasila as the basis of our country, I am proud of all government institutions, DPR, MPR as a form of democracy as policy makers and law makers, I am proud of the civil servants who we are called to be servants of the state, Likewise, in whatever institution we work, we must have thoughts and express our stance with God’s wisdom. Paul emphasized that we as God’s church must live wisely towards people outside the faith.

Second, as believers in Jesus Christ, we must make the best use of the time we have (verse 5b). Brothers and sisters, wherever you are and work, we should be grateful to God who has given us the time or opportunity to breathe, live and work, both as public and private employees. All of this is a gift and the result of hard struggle to obtain it. Let’s improve our respective performance, so that God’s name will be glorified through our lives. As Paul emphasized, whatever we do, do it wholeheartedly as for the Lord.

My brothers, beloved church of God. God wants us to use the time He gives us. Have we taken advantage of the opportunity to serve society, the opportunity to serve God to the maximum? Paul says I have worked harder than any of the other apostles. With my own hands I work to meet my own needs and the needs of my friends (Acts 20:34). Don’t waste your time, use the opportunities that exist and serve others.

Third, live with love (verse 6). Paul emphasizes that your words should be full of love, not bland, so that you know how to respond to everyone.

My brother, as Christians, as servants of God, as children of God, we have been given wisdom by God. The Holy Spirit rules our lives, leads our lives. We have been given the gift of salvation freely through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are given the right and power to express our faith to our brothers who do not know, do not understand, do not yet experience the love of salvation in Jesus. Our responsibility is to love them not only with wealth, but how we are required to testify to the goodness of God who has saved us from the mire of sin and saved us from death.

Are we ready to take responsibility for our faith? Our life, our words are living witnesses for everyone. Therefore, guard our thoughts, our words. Use them to build. Because you are the salt of the earth.

I am confident that as Christians, we will be able to live wisely, and continue to work and live full of love as brothers in faith, brothers and sisters. May God bless your work, bless your life, and bless our nation. Amen