BULLETIN ARTICLE – 23 September 2018
Spirit filled and Spirit led Christians lead the way in breaking the bondage to sin and idolatry. The personal transformation in their own lives soon impact the society they live in. In Ephesus, the center for the worship of Artemis, the goddess of fertility, idolatry was big business. There was an economy around the worship of the goddess with merchandising of the idols and other associated activities generated income for many people there. As “large numbers of people” of the city came to follow the Way – following Jesus who claimed to be the Way (Jn 14:6) – they rejected all that was associated with idolatry. When this happened the business around it took a hit large enough to provoke the “worship of Artemis” business leaders led by silversmith Demetrius to instigate a riot. This also resulted in the persecution of Apostle Paul and his companions in the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus. The world in Ephesus was turned upside down as followers of the Way (Christians) exerted their influence on the Ephesian idolatrous society.
Think what it would be like if Christians in Singapore today, filled with Holy Spirit and led by Holy Spirit were to make choices that reflect their beliefs. What if these Christians were to say no to excessive drinking and gambling? Holy Spirit led Christians may decide to stop reading books and watching video materials that appeals to our flesh and corrupts our mind. These same Christians may decide to break free from the bondage to materialism and consumerism and live a lifestyle that is simple and basic. Instead of buying every new product based on wants and created by the illusion of success, Christians opt for purchases based on needs and stretch the life of every product they own or share. This would threaten the world’s model of the economy and cause grief to those who thrive on this model. There would be a pushback resulting in the persecution of the Christian church. We should not be surprised by such persecutions as Jesus had warned his followers that those who love him will be hated by the world (Matt 10:22, Lk 21:17). Furthermore, Paul taught that those who follow Jesus and live godly lives would be persecuted (2 Tim 3:12).
The problem today is that the idolatrous world is in the Christian church. The term “baptised pagans” ring true as Christians live out their lives in the pattern of this world. Rather than reflecting Jesus in their lives, what the world sees when they look at Christians are behaviours not much different from themselves. The world in the time of the Apostles was turned upside down because Christians filled and led by Holy Spirit chose righteous and godly ways to live. Within 300 years of the early Church, the dominant empire of the time, the Roman empire, had chosen Christianity as its official religion during the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great. Will our generation of Christians today make that choice to be filled and led by Holy Spirit so that the Christian church becomes the salt and light of the world? Will we reject all that are opposed to God’s order in creation in the face of populism and stay true to his calling?
