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Hospitality is taught in the Scriptures as a duty of God’s people. In the Old Testament, God taught His people, Israel, to be kind and hospitable to even strangers (foreigners) because He Himself showed mercy to strangers (cf. Psalm 146:9, cf. Deut. 10:18). He reminded the Israelites that they too were once foreigners in Egypt, and therefore should not mistreat those who are newcomers in their land (Ex. 23:9; cf. 22:21; Lev. 19:33-34; 25:35; Deut. 10:19). The Book of Malachi even warned against those who turned away strangers (Malachi 3:5). 

The New Testament elevates hospitality from a social courtesy to a core Christian value. Jesus demonstrated it as a vital way to express the love that binds believers together. He had shown us that hospitality extends beyond hosting dinner parties. Jesus ministered the Gospel to the outcasts of the society (Jn. 4:5-30), fed the hungry (Jn. 6:5-12), healed the sick (Matt. 12:15; 14:14), and received the disciples into the upper room for the Passover by washing their feet (Jn. 13:4-15). His parable of the Good Samaritan illustrates selflessness—putting others first, even when busy or distracted (Lk. 10:32-37). It involves prioritising others’ needs over our own and quickly extending our help. 

The apostles, in their teachings, reiterated the importance of hospitality. Paul, in Rom. 12:13, emphasises that Christians should be “given to hospitality”, while Peter urges them to “use hospitality one to another without grudging” (1 Pet. 4:9). The writer of Hebrews warns against neglecting hospitality to strangers, hinting at the possibility of unknowingly welcoming angels (Hebrews 13:2). Even specific roles within the church, such as godly Christian women “taken into the number” (deaconesses) and elders, are expressly required to exhibit hospitality (1 Tim. 5:9-10; 3:2; Titus 1:8). Moreover, the early church’s gathering in homes of believers also made hospitality an even greater responsibility of Christians (Acts 2:46; 5:42; 12:12; 16:40; 18:7; 20:20; Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:19; Colossians 4:15; Philemon 2).

Jesus Received Hospitality

The New Testament further underscores the importance of hospitality through Jesus’ personal experiences. He was not just a Teacher but was also a Guest, accepting the hospitality of those who cherished Him and His Gospel. 

His ministry was marked by a variety of welcoming encounters. For instance, Zacchaeus, a tax collector, opened his home to Him (Luke 19:5-7). A Samaritan village received Him, and He stayed with the Samaritans for two days (John 4:4-40). A Pharisee named Simon invited Him for a meal (Luke 7:36-40). An unnamed Pharisee also offered Him food and shelter (Luke 14:1). Jesus also enjoyed the company and hospitality of His close friends from the village of Bethany – Martha, Mary, and Lazarus (Luke 10:38) – as well as others like Simon the leper (Matt. 26:6), and the two disciples He met on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:29-30).

Jesus Assured His Servants of Hospitality

When Jesus sent out seventy men in pairs, He prepared them for the challenges they would face. He warned them about encountering hostility and hatred. However, He also assured them that people would open their homes and hearts to receive and support them. He then gave them practical instructions on accepting the hospitality extended to them. 

He said, “Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house” (Luke 10:3-7). Jesus’ words clearly indicate that God would provide for His servants’ every need. 

The Apostles Benefited from Hospitality

The apostles, too, benefited from the generosity of others. Peter lodged with a tanner named Simon and a Roman centurion named Cornelius (Acts 9:43; 10:5-6; 10:24-33, 48). During their travels, Paul and his companions were welcomed by Lydia, a seller of purple cloth (Acts 16:14-15), a jailer in Philippi (Acts 16:34), Jason of Thessalonica (Acts 17:5-7), as well as Aquila and Priscilla, a tent-making couple (Acts 18:1-3). Other acts of hospitality were also shown by Justus (Acts 18:7), Philip the evangelist (Acts 21:8), Mnason (Acts 21:16), and Publius (Acts 28:7). 

A spirit of generosity and hospitality existed among Jewish and Gentile followers of Christ and His apostles. They happily welcomed God’s servants, especially those who travelled from place to place and faithfully taught the truth (3 John 6-8).

Do We Extend Hospitality?

Jesus promised, “He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward” (Mt 10:40-42). 

Jesus emphasised that welcoming His followers is like welcoming Him and God Himself. This extends to God’s blessings. Just as a prophet is rewarded for his work, so are those who receive a prophet. The same applies to all believers - those who welcome and help fellow Christians, even in seemingly small ways, are blessed by God. This creates a beautiful cycle where believers can share blessings and receive them in return, ensuring no act of kindness goes unnoticed.

Sermon Text: Matthew 24
Speaker: Pr Cornelius Koshy
Date: 28th April 2024

Sermon Text: Romans 2:25–29
Speaker: Pr Samson Hutagalung
Date: 21st April 2024

Romans 1-11 lay the groundwork for the Christian faith, explaining God’s plan for salvation and sanctified lives. Then in Romans 12:1-2, we are urged to express these truths in our daily actions: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (v. 1).

Because of God’s Mercies

We note that the exhortation to live a renewed life is given with a reminder of divine mercy towards Christians – “I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God”. This highlights God’s immense compassion towards us, even though we don’t deserve it (2 Corinthians 1:3). Realising God’s boundless mercies motivates us to live a life for Him. It’s God’s grace and mercy that renew us for His service. Resolutions and decisions are good and necessary, but they are not enough to live unto God! His mercies are essential for living a life consecrated to God.

Living a Consecrated Life

Paul encourages us to consecrate or offer our bodies to God completely. The first aspect of our consecration of the body is that we “present” our bodies as “a living sacrifice” to God. The word “present” in Greek (paristemi) denotes placing a person or thing ready for one’s disposal. We must present ourselves ready to be used by God. Our desires for our bodies, whether in appearance or use, should be for the Lord’s glory and His holy will. Anytime we allow our bodies to be used by any man or for anything outside of God’s will, we are offering our bodies for unholy purposes! We must fight against our bodily desires and passions. Consecration requires us to stand with God.

The metaphor “living sacrifice” instructs us that we should devote our entire lives to serving God. In the Old Testament, when the Jews sacrificed animals to God, they would slaughter the animal and lay it on the altar. Similarly, we are on the altar of God’s service, but not as a dead animal! Christ died for us, so that we may live in Him and live in active service unto God.

We are to also consecrate our bodies in a “holy and acceptable” way unto God. Our bodies must never be used for anything unacceptable to God, as our bodies belong to God. It means living a modest life that is not conformed to the world. Our bodies should not be used for activities that are displeasing to God, but to honour Him. For example, we should not use our bodies to commit sins, and to enjoy and promote a carnal and materialistic lifestyle, which is forbidden in the Scriptures. Instead, we should use our bodies in obedience to His Word to honour Him, to help and edify others, and to spread the Gospel. Consecrating our bodies to God means living a modest and holy life, and presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice to Him. It is, after all, our “reasonable service”. Whenever we yield our bodies to anything that is not acceptable to God, we become unreasonable before God. 

Living with a Renewed Mind

In verse 2, Paul draws our attention to another aspect of consecration: the need to offer our mind to God. The mind is where all our thoughts originate, and where our passions are controlled or let loose. If our mind is not offered up to the Lord, it will be misled to follow the evil present in this world. So, verse 2 admonishes us: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” 

There are two facets of offering our minds to God. The first one mentioned is that we must not be “conformed to this world”. The Greek word for “conformed” means fashioning oneself according to something. So, we are advised here that we should not fashion ourselves after this world. The world’s standards and values are often opposed to God’s will. Ephesians 2:2 reminds us that the world belongs to Satan, who seeks to promote sinful lifestyles and rebellion against authority – “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience”. As Christians, we cannot behave like the world. We need to be different from worldly people (unbelievers), and our difference is the evidence of God’s love and power that saved us from our sins. John 15:19 says, “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” Remember, friendship with the world is enmity with God (James 4:4).

Secondly, we are also to be “transformed by the renewing of [our] mind[s]”. The Bible uses the metaphor of transformation to describe this process of renewing our minds. The process of transformation can be likened to a caterpillar’s metamorphosis into a butterfly. A real change must be seen in our lives, and that change can only be worked out by the renewing of our minds. The Greek word translated as “renew” means a complete change for the better. This spiritual transformation of our minds happens when we yield to God’s Word to work on our minds through the power of the Holy Spirit. Through listening to and meditating on God’s Word, we learn to reject the patterns of worldly thoughts (which are displeasing to God) and to think according to the will of God, that we may live a life pleasing to Him. We are thus renewed and transformed!

A renewed mind is a mind that is set on God’s will and not the world’s. The ultimate outcome of a renewed life is: the ability to discern and embrace what is truly good, pleasing, and perfect according to God’s will. Let us seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance through prayer, and rely on His power to be renewed daily. May we show the world that we are changed by the truth and grace of God.

Sermon Text: Psalm 75
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 14th April 2024

Matthew 4:19-20: “And he said unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.” 

These were the words of Jesus to His first disciples, Peter and Andrew. They were brothers. Previously, according to John 1:35-42, Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist, who pointed him to Jesus. Andrew then brought his brother, Simon Peter, to Jesus and followed Him. They also abode with Him. We do not know how long they were with Jesus. It appears that they returned to their fishing profession. So, they had some knowledge of Jesus because they abode with Him and had conversations with Him.

Peter and Andrew returned to their town and continued engaging in their trade. They were casting a net to catch fish in the Sea of Galilee when Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee. Seeing Peter and Andrew, Jesus called them and said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

It was not a call to follow a human teacher but the Son of God, so that He may teach, train and use them for the purpose of His Gospel ministry. He was not calling them to make them better fishermen of the Sea of Galilee. His plan for them was far greater – to be “fishers of men”. They were no more to be fishermen of the sea, but to win souls of sinful men by casting the Gospel-net over all the earth, wherever the Lord would lead them. Jesus individually selected them, and urged them to become part of His ministry of winning people to Himself. 

When going forth as “fishers of men”, they would never be alone. The Lord would be ahead of them because He said, “Follow me”. Jesus would always lead them. He would be their Guide and Teacher. He would be their Example to follow. He would be their Friend and Companion. If they would obey His command to follow Him, His promise to them was that He would “make (them) fishers of men”. 

Andrew and Peter immediately responded to Christ’s call obediently. “And they straightway left their nets and followed him” (v. 20). As disciples, Peter and Andrew’s commitment to follow Christ was an act of faith. We must neither vacillate nor delay when we commit to Christ because we understand His call. God’s kingdom still needs dedicated workers. 

Dear friends, the Lord still calls Christians to work with Him to win people for Christ. If the Lord speaks in your heart through the Bible passages you read or messages you listen to, do not hesitate to follow Him and do His work. He will certainly use you for His glory, and for the salvation and edification of many.

Testimony of Kynsai Kupar, a GBI India Student

I was born and raised in a Christian family. At the age of 12, I went to study in Sohra. Two months after arriving there, my father passed away. I studied in Sohra until the 10th grade. However, during my 9th grade year, I began experimenting with alcohol. It was more about having fun with friends than anything else.

After completing my studies in Sohra, I went to Shillong for higher secondary education. It was during these years that I fell deeper into substance abuse and all sorts of intoxication.

My understanding of the Christian faith was shallow. I would pray and read the Bible occasionally, but only because I was raised as a Christian. I wasn’t a regular churchgoer. By 2017, I was acting more like an atheist. I skipped classes and used my tuition fees to buy alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, and other substances. I lied to my mother, telling her I needed money for school projects when I used it for drugs. I lived according to my own desires, rebelling against any restrictions. Because I lived with relatives, I started coming home late at night and spending my nights drinking with friends in bars and at parties. I even went to music festivals with DJs, just to drink and party.

One Sunday, August 5th, 2018, a friend invited me to church with him. I declined, but promised to go the following Sunday. On August 12th, 2018, I went with him to a youth fellowship service. It was on that day that I heard the Gospel preached. The Holy Spirit powerfully convicted me, revealing my sinfulness, condemned state, and need for Christ.

I turned from my sins and repented, putting my faith in Christ and His finished work on the cross. My life was transformed. The Lord enabled me to leave my old life. I gradually distanced myself from my old friends.

Before, I loved dancing to DJ music. But after God saved me on August 12th, 2018, all that desire and those habits died. On August 15th, there were DJs performing at Ward’s Lake, and I actually went there with the intention of enjoying the music and dancing. However, it all seemed bland. I no longer had any interest in those things.

Now, I read the Bible regularly and love attending church. I have a strong desire to grow in my faith. When I look back on my past, I see God’s incredible mercy. If not for His grace, I would still be lost in my sin and condemned for eternity. God, in His love, sought me out and saved me, a sinner. Now, I have hope in God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

Sermon Text: Psalm 74
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 7th April 2024

Jesus asked, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26; cf. Mark 8:36; Luke 9:25). 

Jesus here used hyperbole, an exaggerated statement, to emphasise the value of man’s soul. Even if a man could somehow possess the whole world but failed to inherit the salvation of his soul, his ownership of the whole world would be worthless. No matter how wealthy he becomes, being mortal, man can only own them temporarily. At his death, he gains nothing from his earthly possessions. As far as his standing before God is concerned, his super-wealthy status has no value. By means of his wealth, he cannot purchase his redemption from eternal damnation in hell. His wealth cannot provide a worthy transaction for his redemption. 

If not for Christ’s blood shed on the cross, what can provide us with justification and freedom from guilt and damnation? If Christ had not laid down His life as an offering for sin, our souls would have been forever damned. As the apostle Peter wrote, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19). To possess every precious thing in this world and yet be without Christ, is to be a pauper forever! Jesus said in Luke 12:21, “So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” 

The riches, royalty and respect this life could offer cannot liberate us from eternal destituteness. The world and all its glories shall pass away (1 John 2:17). 2 Peter 3:10 says, “…the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” But each person’s soul will live forever – those who die in their sins shall live forever, tormented in the eternal fire of hell. But those who cast their trust in Jesus, the Redeemer, and forsake the world to follow Him shall have an eternity with God in heavenly joys and blessings. So why lose your soul’s eternal blessing for a few fleeting decades of self-indulgence in this life? 

How sad it is that most people are enamoured by worldly gain at the expense of the heavenly rewards. Dear reader, there is nothing below heaven so precious and noble as your souls, and therefore, do not forsake the eternal salvation of your souls for the transient glory of a perishing world. Will you not care for your soul more than the body? John Flavel, a puritan minister, wrote: 

“Two things a master commits to his servant’s care,” saith one: “the child and the child’s clothes.” It will be a poor excuse for the servant to say, at his master’s return, “Sir, here are all the child’s clothes, neat and clean, but the child is lost!” Much so with the account that many will give to God of their souls and bodies at the great day. “Lord, here is my body; I was very grateful for it; I neglected nothing that belonged to its content and welfare; but as for my soul, that is lost and cast away for ever. I took little care and thought about it.”

Remember: all you labour to gain for your body is transitory, and what you lose in your pursuit of material gain is eternal. So, abandon your fascination with this world and its riches for Christ’s sake, that you may gain eternal riches.

Anniversary Thanksgiving

Dear Pastor, Board of Elders, and Members of Gethsemane BPC-Singapore,

Greetings in the blessed Name of our Risen Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

It is with much joy and thanksgiving to the Lord that I greet all of you, on behalf of the church here in Cebu, Philippines: “Blessed 36th Anniversary!”

Praise and glory be to the Lord for the work He has accomplished, and is accomplishing, in each and every one of you – we are bound to give thanks unto Him. Under the leadership of Pastor Koshy, alongside the Board of Elders, and with the team of committed full-time workers, as well as the united support of the members, Gethsemane BPC (Singapore) has been extending the ministry of the Gospel far and wide. Yes, we rejoice in the Lord on the recent development and progress of the Gospel work in India, and in other parts of the world!

Likewise, we are greatly encouraged by how the ministries within the church have flourished from strength to strength for the edification of the saints, even the salvation of the lost. Truly, the Lord has done great things in your midst, and we rejoice together with you! 

In this joyous occasion whereby we also remember the glorious resurrection of our Lord, consider the words of the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:57-58, “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

All glory be to God!

Yours in Christ,
Rev. Reggor B. Galarpe
Gethsemane BPC (Cebu)

Sermon Text: 1 Peter 1:3-5
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 31st March 2024

Lara Wee

In 1968, when I was 11 years old, a teacher hired a van to fetch my sister and me, together with other students, out to church. I attended the church (Zion Church) with my sister. After attending many services, we were very joyful and blessed. We decided to get baptized. Since then, we have attended the church without fail. I also invited my parents to join us, and they were also saved. Praise God for His saving grace unto the rest of my family.

After I got married, I attended Elim Church regularly. Later, when my children and their spouses attended Gethsemane BP Church, the Lord led me to follow them to attend GBPC. I was joyful and blessed to be in GBPC. I have been attending GBPC regularly. I am also blessed to have many new friends at GBPC.

Kevin Tai

Decades ago, my life took a drastic turn when I was diagnosed with a head and neck cancer Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (also known as NPC), which is a rare tumour of the head and neck originating in the nasopharynx. At that time, I was working in Hong Kong, and the specialist doctor, whom I consulted there, told me that my survival rate was only 30%. Only 1 out of 3 persons with this cancer has a chance to survive. I was advised to undergo 6 weeks of intensive radiotherapy. After my radiotherapy treatment, I was introduced to a Singaporean friend who also worked in Hong Kong. Knowing that I am not a Christian, he invited me to go with him to a church service. I felt obligated and attended the services reluctantly (as Sunday morning was usually my “badminton day”). 

After a few weeks, he asked me whether I wanted to accept Jesus as my Saviour. I accepted the invitation to receive Jesus as my Saviour. I then joined a cell group that met near my place of stay. After many months of numerous medical appointments to treat my cancer, I was told that I was cleared of cancer. I believed God had healed me by His grace and mercy. 

But my problem did not stop there. Due to the less advanced medical technology and method, the radiotherapy that killed the cancer cells damaged my physical body severely. It had resulted in an irreversible nerve damage from my chest upwards. My body gradually started to show other side effects, even ten years after the radiotherapy. A person has four main blood arteries, two in front of the neck and two behind the neck, which supply blood to our front and back of the brain respectively. Damages to two of those main arteries and nerves caused by radiotherapy had prevented proper blood supply to the back of my brain since then. 

It resulted in a mild stroke ten years later, and I  was warded. When the neurologist did a scan on my front neck, he was shocked and told me: “Mr. Tai, I cannot find your 2 main front arteries! You should not be here anymore!” I pointed my finger upward to indicate that it was my God who has done this wondrous “miracle”. Due to the stroke and nerve damage, I began to lose my ability to speak properly and to hear well. My eyes were also affected and I started to have double vision, necessitating me to wear specially prescribed prism-lens spectacles. But all these afflictions did not stop my faith in God and my Lord Jesus, whom I follow till this day. God kept me alive for His purposes, despite my debilitating health problems.

I desire to continue to serve God according to His will, despite my deteriorating physical health. I have been serving the Lord in the prison ministry and “halfway houses” for more than ten years. I am willing to offer my service whenever, and wherever God calls me, as long as I live and am able. Following are some Bible verses that cheer me to serve Him: 

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 

Romans 14:7-8 – “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.” 

2 Corinthians 3:5 – “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God”.

Esther Tan Hui En

I was brought up in a Christian home since birth, and had received much of what my parents and the church taught about God and the Bible as the truth. Yet, for many years, much of this remained as mere knowledge without true spiritual rebirth. I was actively serving in Calvary Pandan BP Church during my teenage years, and while outwardly in church I appeared to be fervent for the Lord, I was more motivated by pride and self-glory. Concurrently in my school life, I was a completely different person – lazy, irresponsible and rude to authorities.

I remember distinctly a classmate remarking in great surprise when she found out that I was a Christian, and told me bluntly that I did not behave like one – those words pricked through my heart and made me realise the hypocrite that I had been. I turned to the Lord in repentance and received baptism in 2014, but my knowledge of God was still weak and lacking, and many worldly influences continued to distract me throughout junior college. It came to a point when although I was still attending church regularly, I was estranged from many of my church friends, causing me to be rather depressed. The Lord moved my heart to seek Him during this period, and I came across Psalm 34:8 – “O taste and see that the LORD is good”. The verse described a true and intimate relationship with God, to know His presence and to walk with Him – one that I had not yet truly known. That became my turning point to seek and desire what it truly meant to know the LORD. 

I was convicted through multiple portions of Scripture (e.g. Rom 10:13; 2 Tim 1:12) regarding my salvation, as well as the teaching of the “Five Points of Calvinism” in my church Bible study in 2016 that further solidified my understanding. I began to understand my own total depravity, my deep need for a Saviour, and how now I stand before God only by the merit of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Since then, though I’d failed the LORD time and time again, the LORD has always been merciful to pluck me out of my sin, so that I may serve Him.

I have been led by the LORD through not a few events to seek membership in Gethsemane BP Church, and my heart is filled with joy to worship and serve Him here. May the LORD be pleased to use my life as His instrument, for His kingdom and His glory. “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).

Gladys Lim

The first time that I heard about Christianity was in my primary and secondary school days in a Catholic school (CHIJ). I remembered having to worship a God that I did not know at that time, in a fervent and repetitive way that was taught to us. I had since developed a habit of prayer – to some supernatural being – that I thought could help me with my grades and relieve my stress. Except for my mother, my other family members are non-religious, and thus I did not make my “prayer” habits known to them. My mother worships according to her ancestral teachings of Buddhism. Not knowing any better, I was also influenced by her, and I “prayed” to her gods too.

After a long struggle with mental illness, by the grace of God, I met Yong Wei, who first talked to me about the true meaning of the Gospel. Along the way, I struggled to understand some teachings of the Bible, such as “wifely submission” and “not being unequally yoked with an unbeliever”. I also had some deep pre-existing biases against Christians whom I had encountered before, who were rather disrespectful and demeaning to other people. I was upset with them for advocating (with their mouths) kind and respectful treatment of others, but (with their actions) actually hating people.

These Christians’ double standards stumbled me: “Why do I worship God if I were to hate His people?” Gradually, I begin to understand that all men have sinned and come short of God’s standard. I can only say that it is truly by the grace of the Lord through the Gospel that I have come to a realisation of my own sins, and I acknowledge Christ to be my only Saviour and Lord. The Lord is truly good, and I do understand now by His mercy, that the faith that I had once misconstrued, is indeed the truth of God which I now submit to follow. I must bear the cross as a Christian, even if some would use angry words against me for my faith. My comfort lies in Jesus Christ, and the peace that He gives unto me. 

I am grateful to Pastor Koshy, the elders and the congregation, for their kindness and hospitality that have made me feel welcomed. I can see that Gethsemane is a God-fearing church. I also am very appreciative of Yong Wei who continues to encourage me in my walk with Christ, as well as other church members who have taken time to talk to me. I do hope to continue to read and learn from the Bible, so as to strengthen my walk with Christ.