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Christian self-discipline

October 14, 2007

Selamat Hari Raya Idul Fitri! Gifts, money, holidays, traffic jams… As a new comer to Indonesia I have learnt a lot about the culture this last month. It was a fascinating month of seeing people not drink nor eat during Ramadan (but I did see some sneaking a little on the side), and then the partying as the fast is broken, seeing the men, women and children who collect rubbish lining the streets to receive food and money from passers by and now the holiday period where people Muslim or not, seem to leave Jakarta. It seems to be an all-consuming celebration for everyone.

Fasting and giving to the poor are two of the five pillars of Islam, of working hard to ensure salvation from Allah. During this period there is also the asking for forgiveness from your elders whom you have wronged during the year, again seeking insurance for a favourable hearing from Allah on the last day. The people in the city around me are very religious.

What a difference Christ makes. Our salvation is assured. In Christ it is done for us. Forgiveness is already offered – where God did the work through the death and resurrection of Christ and all we have to do is accept God’s forgiveness.

But with the ‘ease’ of our forgiveness often comes a ‘slackness’, a taking of Christ for granted, as followers of Christ we then do not work hard to live a life pleasing to God. We complain. We worry. We seem discontent. We hardly pray. We don’t trust God in all circumstances. We don’t seem to be consumed by serving Christ. We still seek to live for me and not for Him. We could learn much about self discipline from our Muslim friends.

Paul in the letter to the Philippian Christians writes to a church that had the same temptations. To these Christians Paul writes: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (4:4-7).

What a great difference we would make to our community if we did this! Make a difference and live wholeheartedly for Christ this Idul Fitri.

Ian

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