Dear COA family,

We have just elected our new PCC as a church community and, as Singaporeans, cast our votes for our next government.

Although the results of the General Election were unclear at the time of my writing, the choice of a new government (whether in our country or church) is only the beginning. We, as a community, need to live out the will of God diligently for the rest of the term, in partnership with our leaders.

One of the greatest dangers in human history is idolatry. Idolatry is simply putting any object, ideology or person in the place of God. In other words, we value something or someone above Christ in our lives.

Moses the man of God warned the Israelites about the destructive nature of idolatry:
“After you have had children and grandchildren and have lived in the land a long time — if you then become corrupt and make any kind of idol, doing evil in the eyes of the Lord your God and arousing his anger, I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you this day that you will quickly perish from the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess. You will not live there long but will certainly be destroyed” Deuteronomy 4:25-26.

Not only will idolatry corrupt a nation, but it will also bring about God’s judgment on it. The Lord will withhold his blessings from the nation and subject it to the torment of the idols it seeks. Only when the nation repents will God forgive and restore the people.

Moses continues by relating the mercy and compassion of God, “But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul” Deuteronomy 4:29.

How can we guard ourselves against the danger and sin of idolatry?

The most crucial thing we can do is to seek to obey the Lord in all he commands us to do. Not in some areas, but in every area. This is because the Lord is either the Lord of all or he is not Lord at all.

Our hearts are shaped for the presence of only one ruling entity in our lives. If that happens to be wealth, the desire for status and recognition, the comforts we can enjoy or the craving for affections from another person, God cannot dwell in our heart as Lord. And our worship will be shown by our obedience.

A simple example is the matter of accepting or loving a stranger in our church. If you see someone new and the Holy Spirit is prompting you to speak kindly with that person, would you be willing to take the first step to approach them? Or would you guard your space and cling to your desire for comfort? Your actions of obedience can reveal your heart.

This can be extended to many areas of our lives. How is the Lord calling you to obey him this week? As you do so despite your fears and reservations, you are affirming that Christ is the Lord of your life. And this is the only way to true blessing.

God bless,
Revd Ian