About a week ago, I was conversing with a young man in his mid-twenties who was brought to me by a youth in our church to seek biblical answers to his many questions. As our conversation progressed, I quickly noted that he was a canny and good-mannered young man who wanted biblical answers to his questions. After some discussion, he shared with me his experiences of some "rough rides" that left him distressed at times. I realised that if he had properly understood the good counsels of the Gospel according to the Scriptures, he would have been a well established soul. So, I offered to meet him and explain the Scriptures to him again, that the power of God may order and strengthen his life.
Many harbouring the hope of a happy and stable life pursue a materialistic, worldly life at the expense of the spiritual well-being of their souls. Such a godless pursuit of worldly prosperity and greatness leave them in great confusion and distress. Regrettably, some within the church even erroneously teach their children to give priority to such worldly pursuits.
Beloved, there is nothing that can stabilise our souls like the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In Romans 16:25, Paul says of the Almighty God: "… him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ …" These words are from the apostle Paul’s final doxology in his epistle to the Romans. He wished people would know the power of God in the Gospel so that their lives may be steadied in accordance with the glorious will and purposes of God.
When the truth of the Gospel is set forth by faithful preachers like Paul, God works with His mighty power in the hearts of those who receive the message with faith. God will establish those who trust in Him through the truth of His Gospel. The word "stablish" (stērizō) means to make firm and stable. In the context of Romans 16:25, this word refers to one’s mind being settled and firmly rooted in the truth of the Gospel.
The unbelievers and the uninformed have neither conviction nor confidence about their salvation, or God’s purposes in their lives. Only when people’s minds are filled with the knowledge of God’s gracious Gospel, then will they be steadfast in their thoughts and emotions. Through the Gospel, God will establish the minds and hearts of those who would come to Him in obedient faith. No one but a Christian can be certain about his soul’s salvation and be filled with the peace that surpasses all understanding. Only with Christ as the Guide can souls be unperturbed in this world of many evil, sufferings and sorrows.
True followers of Christ can testify, like Paul, "… I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day" (2 Timothy 1:12). So dear reader, put your trust in Christ and His Gospel, and take your steps according to His counsels in the Scriptures.
Certainly, God "would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God" (Ephesians 3:16-19). Amen.
To the Pastor and Members of Gethsemane B-P Church, Singapore:
Dearly beloved in the Lord Jesus Christ,
"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19). It is with great joy in the Lord that I write this letter to the brethren in Gethsemane B-P Church to express my gratitude and appreciation for the love and kindness you have shown to the flood-affected people in Kerala.
In August 2018, Kerala experienced torrential rain that resulted in landslides and unprecedented severe flooding not seen in recent history. The situation was made worse when about forty dams in the state had to have their floodgates opened! From south to north, all the rivers of Kerala (about 42 of them) overflowed their banks. Thousands of people had to leave their homes and stay in temporary shelters. While a few hundreds lost their lives, thousands more lost their homes and possessions. Most of the home appliances, furniture, bedding, valuable documents, etc. in the flooded homes were destroyed, either because they were washed away or damaged beyond repair. During this period of flooding, severe disruptions to communication services and to supplies of electricity, drinking water, food, etc. were experienced, leaving people in utter distress and suffering.
As the news of this flood spread all over, helps from different agencies started to come in to Kerala. However, they were mostly controlled by the State Government. We thank God that various churches and Christian individuals also stepped in with supplies of food, water, clothes, blankets, medicines, etc. Yet, they couldn’t meet all the needs of those who have lost much of their life-savings. Even to this day, many people are suffering, and are struggling to rebuild and recover from their losses and damages.
It was at such a needy time that Gethsemane B-P Church’s helping hand was extended to these suffering people through your "Kerala Relief Fund". Your very generous help through the "Kerala Relief Fund" is distributed to the most deserving among our fellow believers and others. Already the amount has been distributed to about forty needy families, with a few more pending to be helped with this fund. I have been greatly helped in the distribution of funds by Bro Benny Skariah and Bro Lijoy George (members of GBPC, Singapore), who originally belong to Kerala State. They helped to transfer the apportioned gifts directly to the bank accounts of the deserving people, whose names I have passed to them. As suggested by your pastor (Pastor Koshy), I have been co-ordinating this fund distribution from here. Indeed, it was a great joy for me to be of some service to the suffering on your behalf.
The recipients of the gifts have been calling me to express their special thanks to GBPC. Hence, on behalf of all those who have received help, I hereby write to express their heartfelt THANKS AND APPRECIATION to all the members of GBPC and the church leaders. Thank God and may His name be praised.
We do earnestly pray for the pastor and the members of the Gethsemane B-P Church, and for the various ministries that you are doing for the extension of His kingdom and for His glory. May the Lord "make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen" (Hebrews 13:21).
Truly in the bond of love in Jesus Christ,
Bishop Dr M. K. Koshy