RELATIONAL REFLECTION ON “GOD’S INITIATIVE,
-– PART 2 of 2--
HO Lee-Chow (Pseudonym – Missionary in
(Editor’s note: this is the second of a 2-part series)
Published
in “Relational Research” section of www.GlobalMissiology.org
April 2009
“Then
those who feared the Lord spoke to one another and the Lord listened and heard
it and a book of remembrance was written before him for those who feared the
Lord and who thought on his name….And He will restore the hearts of the fathers
to the children and the hearts of the children to their fathers lest I come and
smite the land with a curse.” (Malachi
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)
“…relation presupposes both distance (distinctness)
and presentness.” (Reuel Howe)
When we read Malachi the main theme is God’s
Unchanging Love (Malachi 1:2; 3:6). We also read of two groups of religious
people. One group is the arrogant complainers (Mal
There
are four relational reflections on “the remnant” in terms of “God’s initiative,
man’s need”.
First, the clergy and laity are in partnership. The Bible only recognizes two offices in this regard – elders and deacons, see 1 Tim.3. There is a plurality of leaders emerging – they spoke to one another. This means that leaders never graduate from their need of conversation. They joined the circle of conversation by adding conversation to their preaching and teaching – a dialogical approach. For incarnational relationships to develop the goal to die to self is to help others. Servanthood and humility are crucial if we are to avoid rampant insecurity in family relationships and society.
Second, words
take on a different meaning in dialogue from monologue because people
come from different contexts. Here we read the Lord listened and heard. Like-mindedness in Christ
rather than monologue in isolation emerged. Godly communication is not to give our
answers to people or to secure consensus from our point of view.
Rather, when useful information is supplied, a conviction borne out of dialogue
helps people make responsible decisions.
“If Christians would be
like Christ, they must expect to become dialogical persons to and through whom
he may speak. The incarnation in us of the spirit of dialogue would cleanse the
church of the sickness of clericalism and parochialism, and prepare the church
in its dispersed life for participation in God’s saving work in the world.”
(Reuel Howe, The Miracle of Dialogue, p.102 Seabury Press, 1963)
People are important to God
and His agenda – a book (scroll) of remembrance was written before Him. (Cf.
Esther 6:1; Psalm 56:8 and Daniel 7:10). Furthermore the remnant experienced
happiness beyond their prayers. The Lord made two promises. The Lord says, “They
will be mine” and are “my treasured possession.” (Malachi 3:17). Dialogue breaks down barriers between
God and between man and man and man. When we wrongly separate God and man’s
kingdom, we divide into right and wrong and get it wrong. Don’t we need to separate
vertical relationships from horizontal in order to understand both?. Note Joab’s comment to David “You have put all your
servants to shame today by loving those you hate and hating those who love
you.” (2 Samuel 19:6-7). Don’t mistake your friends for your
enemies and your friends as your enemies. The question is not whether I
am standing on God’s side, but whether God is standing on our side. You are
still indulging in truisms that negate the impact of your thought process and
create impatience in the reader.
Third, intimacy between God and those who feared
the Lord emerged. For this to happen mutual responsibility and
accountability is required. Both spiritual maturity and continuity is measured
by our conversation with one another. God’s first action with Creation was to
speak “And God said…and there was… (Genesis 1:3). In Malachi those who feared the Lord not
only spoke to one another but also thought on his name. Mutuality opened
two-way communication – each freeing the other to speak with rather than
about each other – an authentic presence both of Christ and affirmation
of the persons present.
Husband and wife need to
talk together in a way that children overhear it and are encouraged to join in
the circle of conversation. The husbands of such families become the
Elders of the churches and they see that each member joins the circle of
conversation and love. In the creation story Eve is instructed to help
Adam hear and understand what God has been saying to them in conversation so
that together they can obey God with understanding his will and purposes.(Dr
Ralph W. Christensen)
Fourth, the remnant labored for a faithful community
– a restored kingdom people. He will turn hearts of the fathers to the
children and hearts of the children to the fathers where inter and intra
generational communication can take place – the miracle of dialogue. Lay
people need to know the World and Life View of the Gospel and how to talk about
the Principles involved, that will never allow Relevant Cultural Applications
to become part of the Gospel given. (Dr Ralph W. Christensen)
A good New Testament example of someone who applied these principles is Phillip, the evangelist, who was a bridge builder between clergy laity distinctions and spoke to both groups without extinguishing either. He is found prophesying with his four daughters; hosting the Apostle Paul and his companions. Phillip rose above common problems of threatened clergy, or sheep wanting instant rather than durable responsibilities or modernity problems – relationships built on volunteerism rather than or without dependable common values. Need to clarify, perhaps expand a little here (See Acts 6:1-7; 8:1ff & Acts 21:1-9).
In many so-called contemporary worship services,
worship is reduced to 45 minutes of boisterous singing and another 45 minutes
of motivational talk. (Dr. Simon Chan. Professor of Systematic Theology,
Trinity Theological
As we have taken stock of our own lives, learn from our Chinese Christian brothers and sisters, identify in their struggles we have, in a very low key but patient way, sought to apply these principles in our own lives. By God’s grace and for His glory we share some comments. (We have used the original print fonts. We have changed the font size for space.
Dear brother Rod:
Thanks for such a wonderful sharing! It's inspiring and encouraging! I've
known of a number of people that are facing almost the same situation as
Brother Brian has these days due to the economic environment in
Life has not been easy for
them and they need strong support both from the Lord and their fellow brothers
and sisters.
Thanks for releasing such a
positive inspiration to revive the spiritual climate that is surrounding those
who are still going through hard times!!!
Lilian (Marketplace
transformation group)
Dear Rod
Thanks a lot for your
sharing. I was very impressed by your openness. I asked bread but you provided
me not only physical bread but also spiritual needs.
What a nice friend you are!
Thanks for your continuing prayer and love in Him.
With love
Margaret (colleague)
Rod, I see you are trying to bring a pastoral touch to your
accounting job. Several colleagues I spoke to in
Matthew (colleague)
Dear Rod (and Judy),
Thank you for your
writing and reminder. I am so glad to have you and Judy here to be "my
missionary mentors". Yes I will even say that the most important spiritual
fruits are meekness and humility, if there is any.
These days I often experienced "touches"
from the Spirit. Once when I was working on a sermon and once when I was writing a
book report, and both were happened in the library as I was surrounded by
shelves of books (oh i love shelves of books so much).
Each time my tears start to roll as I experienced His grace, His love
and His forgiveness towards me. I feel so blessed and calm though.
We now have a male minister serving in Lokwah.
Finally, God has answered our prayer, even more than what we
have asked for. His name is BIG JOHN, who is around 31 having a young wife
and a cute little girl. Yesterday both of us had started
to share,
to plan
and to pray together. I feel so amazed to find out that we two had a close vision
in ministry. I feel that it's time that God starts to build
Lokwah into a stronger church.
Anyway, please remember all of us here.
And pray that our new team or combination will glorify Him.
Regards,