Source/Author: By Bishop Dr Ong Hwai Teik

As we enter yet again into another season of celebrating the evergreen message of God’s immeasurable love tangibly demonstrated in the Christmas event, I am yet assured by the words of Scripture: 

^NIV Romans 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-- how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 

In the aftermath of the joyous GE 14 result of 9 May 2018, Malaysians looked forward to a new era of hope and restoration for our nation. It was not to be as we are currently faced with a mixed reality of hope and uncertainty, though the new Government and citizenry continue to pray and work towards a 100 percent change for betterment. 

Some grave doubts linger, however, as to whether some of those in power or in positions of the civil service–are really 100 percent behind the reform agenda on pivotal issues such as ridding Malaysia of corruption; embracing and practising the values that all citizens are equal regardless of race and religion; inclusiveness and the rule of law undergirded by a responsible and accountable effective Government that sincerely and perseveringly put the interests of the people above narrow and self-serving personal and political agendas.

In the midst of such a “transition of uncertainty”, Christmas comes to remind us that God is 100 percent for us who believe in Him. This 100 percent is substantiated by the incredible dimension of His unchanging love and purpose from eternity – undefeated and fulfilled: 

^NLT Ephesians 1:4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. ⁵ God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 

The apostle John speaks about those whose names are written “in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” [Rev 13:8].

The fact that God is 100 percent for us, unfailingly consistent in sustaining us should spur us on in the fight of faith in a world of which is said “that the only consistent quality in the human heart is inconsistency.” In the words of Paul in ^ESV Philippians 3:12 “...but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” Paul’s persistent, life-time goal was to know Christ, to grow in His likeness and to fully live out the calling God gave him so as “to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize!”

Personally, as 2018 closes and a new year beckons us, Christmas is that concrete perennial reminder each year of the 100 percent God Who is 100 percent behind each of those who are His in Christ. We heed the words of another who personally knew the undisconnectable keeping power of this 100 percent God that is rooted in eternity - ^NIV 1 Corinthians 1:8 - He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is  faithful. ​​​​​

Nationally, as we continue to commit ourselves to “watch and pray” and do all we can for Malaysia in this season of transition and “crossing over”, we must not take our eyes off the 100 percent God “Who is the same yesterday, today and forever” [Hebrews 13:8]. The gaze of our heart and hope is not on the temporal – but the Eternal and Everlasting Sovereign God, Who chose to “tabernacle” among us.

^ESV Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ​

A blessed and holy Christmas to all!

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