Sorry everyone, this blog is kinda empty right now. Been very busy with programming assignments and besides, no inspiration. lol. Just a little updates. I'm making a game in Java, where the player moves around in a map fighting monsters, fulfilling a quest. And sort of making a "Facebook" like web-based program. hehe. Quite fun, thank God my team mate finished my C assignment for me. Thanks so much rmui!
Oh suddenly I have something I wanna say.
I was doing bible study today when we were asked this question, "What are the challenges about your faith that you're facing?"
Hmm.. I thought of making this private but, everyone should know. So here goes.
The challenges I face as a 2nd generation Christian are very different. Having been brought up in a Christian family, I was taught about the faith. Unlike 1st generation Christian, I hardly doubt what's in the Bible, I take it as it is, and do not question. A command is simply a command. A warning, is a warning, etc. Sometimes this is like blind faith. I hate admitting it but I know 2nd gen Christians have a problem with having a real relationship with God. I didn't have to make a choice. I've been going to church all this while. The problem is, I didn't have to make much of a choice. But if I had a choice, I'd still go. Cuz it has been a habit and it's the right thing to do.
In the parable of the prodigal son, I'd identify more with the older son. Though I know the correct answer is the younger son.
Still working on it.
6 comments:
Ivan, how do you know that it is the right thing to do? How sure are you that it is right and not wrong?
I could just give you the answer that goes, "Well, God told me so.." but I'm not going to.
I feel that at the end of the day, no matter what I do, God is still knocking on the door of my heart, waiting for me to open. The choice is mine of course. Whether or not I choose to respond. I realise that I can't ever escape from God, though it's only human nature to flee. It's tiring to keep running away, so logic dictates that I should stop.
I know that it's right because of all the historical evidence for Christianity, and what God has impressed on me.
Great question, Bernard. Thanks!!
Hey...yeah, I get what you mean. I'm a 2nd generation Christian too. Parents converted on the year we were born. Church is my 3rd home, after my real home and campus-home. It is easy for us to lose focus on why we believe what we believe, because we never quite knew how life was before meeting Christ. That is our danger.
I had a friend who once envied us for having Christian parents. He was a 1st generation Christian, converted in his teens. He goes back home and sometimes missed the love and peace a Christian family would have probably provided; not to mention the understanding and support they would have given him as he served the Lord.
But I realized, comparing himself to me, he has felt the saving power of Jesus in his life. What he once was, he no longer is. I compared my walk to his, and I sometimes am ashamed of how hypocritical I am. Just to share.
Yes, I relate more to the older son in that parable. But what do you mean that we should have been the younger son?
Yup, that's the main difference between 1st and 2nd generation Christians.
Younger son strayed at first but went home after he repented. Older son was somewhat self-righteous. He resented the favoritism shown to his younger brother. So in a sense we should identify with the younger brother who strayed and then repented.
Bernard, let us know what you think.
Hmm...ic. Well, my personal opinion...I believe what you said is true; we were all sinners redeemed by the blood of Christ.
But identifying with the younger son should not mean that we should first stray like he did, and then only come back. This sort of permits the sinning people do, right? Well, I'm pretty sure you don't mean this. I guess I just wanted to clarify just in case somebody reads this. :)
I can pretty much understand why the elder son reacted the way he did. Self-righteous...maybe. But he was only being human with emotions, probably just lacking a lil love for his younger brother.
Even the father recognized that the elder son has been with him all the time.
But what I learnt from the passage is... Have a big heart. Love others. Don't be calculative. Your reward is everything of the Father's. He has prepared a mansion for you up in heaven, where your riches is stored up, waiting for you. :)
Hehe, ok, that's all.
I'm identifying with the younger son because, both of us strayed from God in the beginning but came to our senses and went back to Him. Not that we should stray but we did stray.
Thanks!
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