Pastoral Page

"Build Yourselves Up in Your Most Holy Faith" Jude 1: 20

In the final trial of Jesus Christ, when Jesus was brought before Pilate, Pilate asked "What is truth?" (John 18:38). The world is poorer because Pilate did not wait for the answer. However, the Bible elsewhere clearly tells us that the Word of God is the truth, and Jesus Christ is the ultimate expression of God's truth.

God is the God of truth; He alone is right. As Deuteronomy 32:4 (NIV) tells us: "He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His works are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He." We must abide by God's words, "for the Word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all he does." (Psalm 33:4) God's words are eternal truth; they do not change with time, circumstances and cultures: God is "the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them – the Lord also remains faithful forever." (Psalm 146:6)

Jesus Christ is the embodiment of God's truth, and He alone is the ultimate and final expression of God's truth. "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14 NIV) This means that whatever He teaches is God's final word. We must accept by faith and follow in action, or else we will no longer be qualified as Christians. This is because Jesus is "the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6 NIV) The litmus test of a Christian is whether we follow the Word of God faithfully, because Jesus Christ said, "Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." (John 18:37) Titles, even spiritual power, account for nothing, for Jesus Christ has pre-warned, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21)

In the time of transition, when social norms change rapidly and values decline to beyond recognition, we would do well to hold on to these truths professed in our Church Covenant:

"We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God, profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness."

Whatever the Bible teaches, we will believe and follow. This is the faith of The First Chinese Church of Christ in Hawaii, so help us God.

With love in Christ Jesus,

Pastor Samuel