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READ:

Psalm 27:14

¹⁴ Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

EXHORTATION:

David’s troubles had multiplied since he was anointed by Samuel to be the king of Israel. He elucidated some of his troubles in verse 2 – “the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh”. The ferocious hostility of the ungodly was relentless in David’s life. Yet he endured the cruel and vicious aggression of his enemies by waiting on the LORD. He would teach himself not to be afraid, but to valiantly do all his duties by relying on the LORD’s might. He would affirm the LORD’s protective power by making such confessions as: “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (v. 1); “Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident” (v. 3). David also spoke of his confidence in the unfailing help and strength he would receive from the LORD – “For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock” (v. 5). So he constantly pleaded for the LORD’s help (cf. vv. 7-13).

As God’s chosen leader of His people, David cannot be faint-hearted. He must be undaunted by the troubles; he must exhibit courage and strength to cheer and lead God’s people forward in the ways of the LORD. Having strengthened himself in the LORD, David then exhorted God’s people at the end of the psalm to find their courage and strength in the LORD, just as he had – “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”

Christians of our time do feel discouraged, troubled and faint-hearted due to the intense hostility of the world and its prince (i.e. the devil). Besides, the demands and struggles in the service of God can also render us weary and weak, as attested to by the apostle Paul – “Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?” (2 Corinthians 11:29). Paul was no stranger to severe and formidable struggles – “For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus” (2 Corinthians 7:5-6). Let us, therefore, also exhort one another to be strong in the LORD as we serve Him in the midst of opposition and trials.

READ:

Deuteronomy 3:22

²² Ye shall not fear them: for the LORD your God he shall fight for you.

EXHORTATION:

Moses had been recounting how the LORD God had granted Israel victory over Sihon (the daunting king of the Amorites) and King Og of Bashan (a huge giant whose bed was made of iron and measured 13 feet long by 6 feet wide [Deuteronomy 3:1–11])! Moses’ purpose for narrating those stories of Israel’s resounding victories was to assure Israel that their LORD God had been their unfailing strength and help in all their battles. He then narrated how the LORD had granted the request of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh to settle on the eastern side of the Jordan River.

By narrating all of the past events in which the LORD had guided them, Moses also sought to build up Israel’s trust in God for the future battles they would face as they entered the Promised Land. At that time, Joshua was given a special commission – “Thine eyes have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto these two kings: so shall the LORD do unto all the kingdoms whither thou passest. Ye shall not fear them: for the LORD your God he shall fight for you” (vv. 21-22). Since Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land, Joshua was commanded to courageously lead God’s people to conquer it. Many of the people who dwelled in the land were gigantic in stature. They lived in walled towns and fortified cities. But Joshua and the people should not fear them. The LORD will fight for them.

Fear is a terrible hindrance to our advancing and accomplishing of our God-given duties in God’s kingdom. Fear numbs our hearts and bodies with doubt and anxiety. Hence, God requires us to rise up in confidence in Him to do the work of His kingdom. The work of evangelism and worldwide missions need men of faith and devotion to spread the Gospel. Jesus said, “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38). Churches need faithful pastors to feed the flock in these days of many false teachers who destroy the flock. “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind” (1 Peter 5:2). We need dedicated, godly men to do the LORD’s work with sacrificial and joyful giving and service (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Let us, with tenacious trust in our God, renew ourselves to serve Him, and fearlessly give ourselves to fulfil all His will concerning us.

READ:

Matthew 1:23b

^23b And they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

EXHORTATION:

Jesus, the virgin-born Son, shall also be called “Emmanuel”. This was predicted by the prophet Isaiah. The ancient people of God had been awaiting the fulfilment of this amazing prophecy with great anticipation.

Though it says here that “they shall call his name Emmanuel”, we know of none in the Bible who calls Him by that name. He has been addressed mostly by the name “Jesus”. The meaning of the statement is not that he would be commonly known and called by such a name. Instead, the actual intent of this statement is that people would acknowledge the truth about Jesus, which is revealed by the name “Emmanuel”. This Hebrew name “Emmanuel” means “God with us”. Not only His supernatural virgin birth, but also His presence, His words, His works and all about Him, would give evidence that He is God who has come to be with man.

The apostle John in his Gospel gave witness to the fact that Jesus is God who dwelt with man, when he declared: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

In Christ, the actual presence of God has come to be with His people. It is not His shadowy presence, as it was before. As Paul says in Colossians 2:9, “in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” He also said in 1 Timothy 3:16 about Jesus – “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” Certainly He would not be a properly qualified Mediator if He did not unite both divine and human natures in His Person, and thereby bring men into an alliance with God.

According to the apostle Paul, Jesus is God who became man to be our divine Mediator. In 2 Corinthians 5:19, he wrote: “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” In 1 Timothy 2:5, he further declared, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus”. Without Christ, we are alienated from God; but through Christ, we are now reconciled to God. Everyone who trusts Jesus can now call Him “Immanuel”.

READ:

Matthew 1:23a

^23a Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son.

EXHORTATION:

The birth of Jesus had been a long-awaited event for God had revealed various facts related to His birth through the prophets of old. The prophets and saints of God lived with a holy curiosity about the manner of His condescension into this world. In 1 Peter 1:11, we read about their curiosity: “Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.”

In our text, Matthew introduces his first quotation of Old Testament fulfilment. He quotes Isaiah 7:14 – “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son.” These words of Isaiah can rightly be applied only to the virgin Mary and her son Jesus. They refer to no other. A considerable number of recent commentators erroneously suggest that the Hebrew word used by Isaiah for “virgin” (‘almah) simply means a young woman of marriageable age, and hence “son” refers to a child of his day — e.g. Hezekiah as the royal son and heir to King Ahaz’s throne, or Isaiah’s son Maher-shalal-hash-baz (cf. Isaiah 8:1, 3), or some anonymous child to be named Immanuel. Those who say the words of Isaiah 7:14 refer to Ahaz’s wife and his son Hezekiah, or to Isaiah’s wife and their son, or to someone else other than Mary and her son, are in serious error!

Firstly, this prophecy predicted the miraculous conception by a virgin. Such a thing had never happened in the history of Israel or the world, except in the case of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The prophecy is introduced with the word “Behold”! It denotes that the event predicted is something extraordinary and wonderful. When Isaiah foretold this prophecy, he also introduced it with the word “sign” (’owth), which means “wonder” or “miracle”. There was no miraculous conception or birth in Isaiah’s time. Secondly, Matthew translated the Hebrew word ‘almah (a virgin) into the Greek word parthénos, which can only mean “a virgin”. If a married woman was meant by the Hebrew word ‘almah in Isaiah 7:14, why should an ordinary birth be regarded as a “sign”? Moreover, it is only fitting that a supernatural birth had been predicted and fulfilled for the provision of divine salvation by a divine Saviour. If Christ’s birth was just like that of all other individuals, then He would have the original sin of Adam and could not be our Saviour. Christ’s virgin birth precisely proves that He is our sinless divine Saviour!

READ:

Matthew 1:21

²¹ And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

EXHORTATION:

These words were announced by the angel of the Lord to Joseph, the espoused husband of Mary. Joseph was very troubled in his heart because “before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost” (v. 18). “Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily” (v. 19). He chose not to create a public scandal by exposing her condition. Instead, he decided to “divorce” her quietly.

Then an angel told Joseph in a dream that Mary’s condition was not caused by a man, but through the Holy Spirit. The angel said to him, “Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost” (v. 20; cf. v. 18).

The Child that Mary carried in her womb was a unique Child. The angel then informed Joseph that “she shall bring forth a son”, and instructed that Joseph should “call his name JESUS”. The angel also proclaimed the reason why the Child should be called “JESUS” – “for he shall save his people from their sins.” These words would have brought to Joseph’s mind the promises of God which the prophet Isaiah had declared about 700 years ago – “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” (Matthew 1:23; cf. Isaiah 7:14).

The child’s name “Jesus” expressed the fact that He will save His people from their sins. His people are all those who would genuinely believe on Him (cf. John 3:16). They are the elect of God; Jesus came to be their Saviour. 33 years later, it was this same Jesus “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14).

Saving His people “from their sins” was the grand purpose of Jesus’ birth. It is not to save men and leave them in their sins that He came and died, but to save them from their sins. Any notion that those whom Jesus saves will continue in their sins is a false teaching! Jesus’ grand design was to deliver His people from their sins. He leads them out of the bondage and curse of sin into the joy of salvation, and guides them in the path of righteousness.

READ:

2 Timothy 2:24

²⁴ And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient.

EXHORTATION:

The term “the servant of the Lord” here refers to the one who is called and appointed by the Lord to feed His flock through the preaching of His Word. Timothy, to whom the letter was written, has been ministering to the church in Ephesus. Timothy has to confront not only false teachers and disobedient members of the church, but also those who incite unprofitable arguments and disputes. So, the apostle Paul gave advice to Timothy on how to handle “foolish and unlearned questions” that would “gender strifes” in the church.

Timothy was reminded that as a servant of the Lord, he “must not strive”. The Greek word for “strive” (máchomai) is commonly used to denote fighting in a battle, or striving or disputing with words in a private quarrel. Not only here in this instance, but also on several other occasions, Paul emphasised that Christian leaders ought not to be quarrelsome. In 1 Timothy 3, while enumerating the qualifications for an elder, Paul wrote, “Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous” (v. 3). In Titus 1, a further list of the qualifications for an elder is given: he is to be “not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker” (v. 7). Every pastor, elder and teacher, being a servant of the Lord, is to be “gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient”.

Note that Paul is not averse to fighting against false doctrines. We must contend and fight for the truth that “was once (for all) delivered unto the saints” (Jude 1:3). In Ephesians 6:12, Paul exhorts: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” In fighting against Satanic forces with the spiritual weapons (2 Corinthians 10:1-4), we must not end up quarrelling with opponents. True, in fighting for the truth, we uncompromisingly reject falsehood and sin, and boldly speak the truth. But we must be “gentle unto all men”. Let us take note that Paul says “unto all men”. We must be gentle even to those who oppose us! In the next verse, Paul tells us the reason for such gentle demeanour required of the preachers of the Word – “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth” (2 Timothy 2:25). Gentleness in demeanour is requisite to being “apt to teach” others.

Sermon Text: Luke 2:25–35
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 22nd December 2024

Christ’s coming to this world about 2000 years ago is declared in John 1:14 – “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

This verse presents one of the most awe-inspiring truths of the Christian faith: the Incarnation of Christ. In these few words, the apostle John encapsulates the mystery and majesty of the birth of Jesus Christ, even God becoming Man. The eternal Word, who has existed with God and is God (John 1:1), took on human flesh and lived among humanity (v. 14). This is not merely a theological concept, but the foundational reality of our salvation.

The opening phrase, “And the Word was made flesh” declares a staggering truth: God Himself became fully human. The term “flesh” emphasises Christ’s full humanity—He experienced hunger, thirst, fatigue, sorrow. Yet, He did not cease to be fully divine in becoming flesh. The Incarnation is not the story of a man becoming God, but of God taking on human nature! Jesus Christ, the eternal Word, stepped into time and space, to be born and to live as a human while retaining His divine essence. The phrase, “the Word was made flesh”, declares to us that Jesus, who is fully God, took upon Himself full humanity.

The phrase, “dwelt among us”, reveals the apostle John’s and his contemporaries’ familiarity with Christ’s coming as a man. The Greek Word (skēnoō) for “dwelt” literally means “to pitch a tent” or “to tabernacle”. To the apostles, His presence was not distant or abstract; it was tangible, real, and life-changing!

John then declares, “we beheld his glory”. The disciples and those who encountered Christ saw His divine majesty displayed through His words, miracles, and, ultimately, His sacrificial death and resurrection. This glory was not just a reflection of God, but the very glory of “the only begotten of the Father”, a title underscoring Christ’s unique and eternal relationship with the Father.

Furthermore, Christ came, being “full of grace and truth”. Grace speaks of God’s unmerited favour towards sinful humanity, while truth emphasises the reliability and faithfulness of Christ’s words and actions. In Christ, grace and truth are perfectly united, offering us forgiveness and guidance.

The wonder of the Incarnation is beautifully captured in Charles Wesley’s hymn, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”:

“Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail th’ incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.”

What an astounding reality! God became one of us so that He might redeem us. The Incarnation is not merely a doctrine to understand, but a truth to marvel at and a Saviour to worship. Let us behold His glory, receive His grace, and walk in His truth.

Testimonies of New Members

Nathan Resuma

“And we know that all things work together for good, to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

I have been brought to Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church (GBPC) by my parents at a very young age. And by God’s gracious calling, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour at the age of seven. I thank God for leading my parents to Gethsemane, and for saving me at a young age, that I may be part of this church. I thank God for Pastor Koshy, the preachers and GCM teachers, who expounded God’s Word faithfully. I praise the Lord for the leadership of Gethsemane BPC (Pastor and the elders), the deacons and members, who serve in humility and utmost faithfulness. 

Looking back, I see God’s mighty hand working in my life, for it was by His providence that my parents came to Gethsemane BPC so that they could raise me and my siblings in the fear of the LORD. Growing up in Gethsemane is truly a blessing, and has a significant effect on my spiritual growth. Here, I have many opportunities to learn valuable lessons and spiritual truths through the faithful preaching of God’s Word by Pastor and the preachers – in fellowship meetings (GCM, GYF, GMF, GFF), seminars and special church gatherings (such as missionary conference, church camp, Bible Witness retreat), GBI classes, Tuesday night prayer meetings, Sunday worship services, and even the recently concluded catechism class that helped me to revise and understand clearly the doctrines of the church. 

It is my earnest prayer and desire to grow in wisdom and understanding of God’s Word, and apply the truths that I’ve learned in my life. I also thank God for spiritually mature brethren who helped, corrected and rebuked me so that I may continually walk in His ways. May the Lord continue to help me to obey His Word, serve Him in Gethsemane, and enable me to follow after His will and purposes.

Bertha Leong

I first learnt about Jesus in my Catholic primary school, through participation in mass and catechism classes. My family also started following my grandmother to a charismatic church. I enjoyed the many Bible stories taught in the kids’ classes, though I questioned some of their practices. Eventually, our family moved to a Baptist church, which led me to read the KJV instead of NIV Bible. Here’s where I discovered the difference between certain words used along with certain omissions. 

Though I attended church regularly, I realised I was not actively seeking God then. During my first three months in JC, I met a very dear friend who brought me to Calvary Pandan BPC. That was when I started attending the Sunset Gospel Hour and eventually the Sunday morning service, where I gained a lot of Bible knowledge. Subsequently, during the Covid season, I started watching various churches’ webcasts, and eventually decided to visit Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church. I’ve really enjoyed the messages preached here, especially the “how do we apply” aspect in relation to the “what we have learnt” part. Looking forward to God’s continuous leading, I hope to grow closer to Him and bear a good Christian testimony to the people He has put in my life.

Jored Ballega

Psalm 40:2 – “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.”

I thank God for saving me through His grace and the finished work of Jesus Christ. As Romans 5:8 reminds us, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Despite being lost in sin and utterly undeserving of His favour, God has chosen to love me unconditionally. His mercy redeemed me from destruction, forgave my sins, and granted me a new life in Christ.

There was a time when I felt the weight of my sinfulness, and was overwhelmed by God’s abundant love. I realised that no effort of my own could ever save me—only Christ’s sacrifice could secure my salvation. This revelation of the Gospel transformed my heart and life forever. Truly, “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). This truth fills me with hope, peace, and the assurance of eternal life.

As I journey with God, I am thankful for how He continually affirms my faith through His Word and His work in my life. Romans 10:17 reminds us, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” God has placed within me a profound hunger to know Him more, and I find immense joy in studying Scripture, hearing faithful preaching, and applying Biblical truths to my daily life. Through opportunities like the catechism class, I have gained a deeper understanding of sound doctrine, which strengthened my convictions. These teachings have helped me grasp essential truths, such as salvation, discipleship, and the need to guard against false doctrines. They have equipped me to stand firm in my faith, defend the Gospel with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15), and live as a faithful witness to Christ.

Although I still encounter struggles, uncertainties, and moments of weakness, God remains my steadfast Guide, strengthening me day by day. As Hebrews 11:1 exhorts, “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” With this assurance, I press on, finding joy in God’s unchanging faithfulness and His continued work in my life.

I praise God for leading me to Gethsemane B-P Church, where I have been spiritually nourished, guided, and nurtured under the faithful leadership of Pastor Koshy, the elders, and preachers. I am grateful for the abundant ministries that have helped my spiritual growth—Lord’s Day worship, prayer meeting, Children’s Bible Study programmes, Youth Fellowship, GBI Online Bible studies, Church camps and retreats, etc. Being part of this church has blessed me with godly examples, Christian fellowship, and encouragement to grow in holiness and walk in righteousness.

As I prepare to join the church as a member, I recognise this as both a great privilege and a solemn responsibility. My prayer is rooted in Colossians 1:10—“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God”. I seek to be a vessel of honour, sanctified, and prepared for the Master’s use (2 Timothy 2:21), devoted to serving Him and His people.

May God grant me the grace to remain steadfast in the faith, unwavering in His truth, and committed to living for His glory. To Him alone be all praise and honour. Amen.

READ:

Luke 12:32

³² Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

EXHORTATION:

The Lord Jesus Christ is the loving Shepherd of all those who follow Him in faith and obedience. Jesus referred to His followers as His flock. Concerning them, He said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). Interestingly, He called them “little flock”, referring to the fact that they were few in number and defenceless on their own against their foes.

Jesus referred to them as “little flock”, not to ridicule their small frame or frail existence in this hostile world, but to tenderly assure them of God’s love. He knew how terrified they would be at the sight of the cruel and ravenous enemies surrounding them. Without the strength and means to defend or escape, they would be frightened and discouraged. So their kind Shepherd instructed them not to fear. He calmed their anxious, troubled hearts, saying, “Fear not, little flock”.

Throughout Scripture, the Lord has encouraged His people not to fear. In fact, Scripture has exhorted believers about 84 times to “fear not”, or “fear ye not”, or “fear thou not”. Let us not fear temptations, trials or sufferings or even death. Fear can wreck our peace and effectiveness. So our Lord does not want us to live in constant dread of troubles.

It is the Lord’s instruction that we constantly think of the heavenly Father’s good pleasure towards us. So He proclaimed, “for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Instead of thinking of those things that cause fear, we should think of the good pleasure of our God that gives us His kingdom. Instead of giving in to slavish fear, we should think of His goodness towards us which makes us heirs of His kingdom through His Son. Our minds must dwell upon God’s tender love towards us. Troubles may come upon us, but they will never succeed to hinder our heavenly Father’s love and goodness towards us.

We are now heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. As Paul said in Romans 8:17, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Let us endure the trials that would come our way as they only prove that we are not a people of this world ruled by Satan, but rather, heirs of God’s eternal kingdom.

READ:

Deuteronomy 6:5

⁵ And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

EXHORTATION:

Jesus referred to this commandment as “the first and great commandment” (Matthew 22:37-38). The very first thing we notice here is that the LORD our God asks for our love. The Almighty craves the affection of His people. His heart rejoices to see that all whom He has redeemed would love Him. The LORD regards Himself glorified when His people love Him wholeheartedly.

He commands their love because He loves them and presents Himself to each one of them as “the LORD thy God”. The LORD has revealed Himself as the only true God, thus delivering His people from the deception of their own hearts and false religions. It is after the proclamation, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD”, that He commanded that His people love Him. His people must love Him because He has proffered Himself as the true God to them. On their own, they would never have found Him to be the true God. It is His peculiar love for them which made Him declare unto them that the LORD is God, and there is none other.

Oh, how we ought to love our God for He has made Himself known to us and has also reconciled us to Himself through the offer of His Son for the forgiveness of our sins. We have Him now as our God for He has covenanted Himself to us by the blood of His Son. He is no more unknown to us; neither are we alienated from Him. He has given Himself to us that we may enjoy Him forever. His perfections, His power, His providence, His grace, and all His wondrous virtues are for us to delight in. “We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

The LORD also instructed His people as to how they ought to love Him. He said that they ought to love Him “with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” He who loves God with all his heart, loves Him above all else. Such a man is ready to give up or suffer anything to please and glorify his God. He is totally dedicated to the LORD with an undivided heart. He who loves God with all his soul and with all his life is ready to give up even his life. He would rather endure his sufferings and accept death than dishonour his God. He who loves God with all his strength exerts all the powers of his body and soul in the service of God. Total submission to God’s glory is the mark of one’s love for God.