A couple of young adults and my self were having a discussion in the parish on the seven deadly sins. In our sharing, we came to realise that humanity suffers from certain forms of bondages which we categories under the seven deadly sins, namely, pride, greed, lust, anger, gluttony, envy and sloth. These sins of the flesh bring about feelings of hatred, selfishness, lust, etc. When we are in bondage of any one of these sins, it brings about much pain, unhappiness and a lack of peace within us which in one way or other transmits to others, hence a separation in our relationship which causes division. Ultimately, these sins destroy our relationship with God due to the lack of love for each other which leads to the lack of love for God in obedience to His commandment, “If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love”. (Jn 15:10) “This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you”. (Jn 15:12)
On my way back to the seminary, I was reflecting on each of our sharing, I realised that we all had a common element of challenge that leads us to being caught in either one or more sins in the web of the seven deadly sins. The common element which is also the root cause to these sins of the flesh is “fear”. Fear of losing to others in this competitive world of ours, fear of being judged, fear of being different and not accepted, fear of not being loved, fear of fear in itself and the list goes on. We struggle with these forms of feelings on a daily basis which leads us to sin and what a struggle it is. On further reflection, suddenly, the verse that surfaced prominently in my mind,
“In love there can be no fear, but fear is driven out by perfect love: because to fear is to expect punishment, and anyone who is afraid is still imperfect in love” (1 Jn 4:18).
As such, I felt a call and reminder to even deepen my relationship with the Lord and to seek His grace to help me break free from these bondages as in psalm 125, it states;
“Deliver us, O Lord, from bondage as streams in dry land. Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap”.
All of humanity struggles in a certain form of bondage. In our struggles with our own bondages let us rely on this loving God of ours and not on our own strength for we will fail as in psalm 126, it states,
“If the Lord, does not build the house, in vain does its builders labour; if the Lord does not watch over the city, in vain does the watchman keep vigil”.
As we contemplate on the face of Christ and in His sufferings, let us unite ourselves with Him and lift up and offer all our struggles, hurts, brokenness, fears and bondages to the Lord relying on His grace and strength to free us from the bondages of the evil one. Amen.
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Stay tuned for the next post by Bro Benedict Chng on 19th Nov 2009.
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