Looking Back On My Journey Thus Far 回想我走过的路
Shared by Bro Lock Chee Peng
Translated by Sis Charis Ong
When I first accepted Christ in my youth, I was a fervent reader of the Bible. Within a year or two, I got quite familiar with the New Testament and experienced the peace of God’s redemption. Yet, once I entered the working world, I did not always make my decisions based on Biblical principles. I subsequently attended a few discipleship courses and upon completion, I felt I must have become a disciple of Jesus. But the truth is, I was simply rich in knowledge and I had mistakenly assumed that having more Bible knowledge will automatically help me behave like a disciple and walk in the Truth.
Time passed and through the prompting of the Holy Spirit, I realised I have learnt a lot, yet I was not willing and not able to walk according to what the Bible taught. As such, I was in great misery. There were even times that I imposed the requirements of the Bible on others, questioning their behaviours and decisions, negatively impacting my emotional health.
Lord Jesus said, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32) The Lord’s teaching has reminded me, prompting me to change my direction and mindset when reading the Bible, and focus on application of the Truth instead. This brought about a breakthrough in my life (though challenges and occasional slips are unavoidable). Here are a few lessons I have learnt:
It is tough to obey yet it is ultimately a more blessed way and helps one experience God and His grace more deeply.
We cannot read the Bible in a literal manner – sometimes the Truth can only be fully understood in obedience.
Becoming a good disciple is a gradual progression with ebbs and flows. We need to be intentional in our advancement towards the final goal of being a true disciple, banding together as brothers and sisters in Christ, giving each other support. Only then, can we go the distance in this journey of life.
Truth does not change lives – application of Truth does.
I discovered several similarities between my personal experience and the introduction of Tnet and the current advanced discipleship programme by the Church. If we had such programmes 30 years back and I had been able to follow wholeheartedly, I probably would have avoided the wrong paths, perhaps led a more fulfilling life and experienced even more of God’s grace and promises.
The post-COVID world holds many uncertainties and challenges. I may have ten or twenty more healthy and active years ahead, or lesser. I hope I can continue to walk on this path of discipleship faithfully. Brothers and sisters younger than I, it may be tough to walk on the path of discipleship, but with God’s grace, your life will surely be more blessed.
文：陆宇平弟兄
我在年轻初信时就积极读圣经，在一两年内就相当熟悉新约，也经历神赦罪的平安。但进入社会工作后，在行事为人上，面对选择，有时就不一定考虑圣经的教导。过后我参加了几个门徒课程，完成课程后，感觉自己似乎就是门徒了。但在心态上还是以知识为主，错以为知道更多圣经知识就自然会行出真理，成为门徒。
经过一段时日，在圣灵提醒，发觉自己懂的很多，但却不愿也不能行，心里非常痛苦。有时甚至把圣经的要求加在他人身上，并质疑他们为何这样做、为何不那样做，这带来心里不健康。
主耶稣说“你们若常常遵守我的道，就真是我的门徒。你们必晓得真理，真理必叫你们得以自由。”(约8:31,32)。耶稣的教导提醒了我，使我改变读经的方向，并更专注寻找应该如何“遵行”。这让我生命有更大的突破(当然生活里仍然有困难与跌倒的时候)。以下几点是我学习到的功课:
顺服遵行确实不容易，但最终顺服还是比较蒙福，且能更多经历天父恩典与真实。
圣经不能单独从字面了解，有时要在顺服中才能完全明白。
成为好门徒是渐进的，有进也有退，需要我们刻意和弟兄姐妹一起朝着成为“门徒”的目标前进。彼此扶持，才能走得远、走得美。
真理不会改变生命，惟有得到应用的真理才会改变生命。
这五年来，教会推行的生命之旅(Tnet)和现在加强版的门徒课程，和我生命历程有许多相似之处。如果早30年推出而我又能专心跟从，深信就不会走许多冤枉路，甚至生命也会更丰盛，并会经历更多神恩典与应许。
疫情以后的世界，会有许多的不确定性与挑战。自己剩下的健康活跃年日，可能十年二十年或只有几年的时间，我盼望自己能继续恒心走这蒙福的门徒道路。那些比我年轻的弟兄姐妹，如果专心走这门徒道路，虽不容易，但靠主的恩典，你的人生肯定会更加的蒙福。