O Worship the LORD in the Beauty of Holiness

SO CLOSE AND YET SO FAR

In this brief article, which is an adaption of some pertinent points from the book, “The Almost Christian Discovered” written by Puritan pastor, Rev Matthew Mead, I would like to highlight the false notion of what a Christian is. 

This false notion first and foremost may be the doing of Christians themselves who misunderstood what true evangelical salvation is, and it is further aggravated by false teachings such as “health and wealth” gospel, “easy believism” and work-based salvation, which is common diet even in reformed churches. 

So I have extracted from the book, twenty steps complied by the author to show how one may go very far in the way of heaven (salvation), and yet be but almost a Christian. 

1. He may have much knowledge.
2. He may have great gifts, even spiritual gifts.
3. He has a high profession of religion, be much in external duties of godliness.
4. He may go far in opposing his sin; hates sin.
5. He may desire grace.
6. He may tremble at the Word of God (e.g. Belshazzar).
7. He may delight in the Word and ordinances of God.
8. He may be a member of the church of Christ, and yet not member of Christ.
9. He may have great hopes of heaven, great hopes of being saved.
10. He may be under great and visible changes (e.g. Simon the sorcerer - Acts 8:9).
11. He may be very zealous in the matters of religion.
12. He may be much in prayer (e.g. the Pharisees).
13. He may suffer for Christ in his goods, name and person.
14. He may be called of God, and embrace this call (e.g. Judas Iscariot).
15. He may have the Spirit of God (e.g. Cain, Balaam, Judas – have the Spirit only transiently, not abidingly).
16. He may have faith (not experiential saving faith; James 2:19).
17. He may possibly have a love to the people of God.
18. He may go far in obeying the commands of God (e.g. Balaam).
19. He may be, in some sense, sanctified (e.g. the Scribes and Pharisees).
20. He may do all, as to external duties and worship, that a true Christian can; and yet be no better than almost a Christian.

1. Activities-based Christians 

There are many who presume that they belong to the Lord Jesus Christ as long as they are in the membership roll of a church. Others busy themselves in the Lord’s service to the extent of “burn out,” thinking that being active in the various ministries of the church must be a sure sign that one is a Christian. Yet others faithfully sit on the pews in the church listening to sermon after sermon, assuming that church attendance on every Sunday is the definite way to prove that one is a Christian. 

Listen to what Rev Mead has to say, “It is Satan’s cunning, who, if he cannot keep sinners in their open profaneness, then he labours to persuade them to take up a form of godliness. If he cannot entice them on their lusts, with a total neglect of heaven, then he entices them to such a profession as is sure to fall short of heaven. He will consent to the leaving of some sins, so as we do but keep the rest; and to the doing some duties, so as we neglect the rest…He cares not which way we come to hell, so as he gets us there at last.” 

Brethren, my intention is to show that many Christians, both young and old, as described by Rev Matthew Mead are living under the false impression that this new life in Christ is a life of Christian activities. As long as they are occupying themselves with the Word of God, regular prayers, fellowship meetings, hospital visitations, caring for the sick and troubled, evangelism and/or anything that Christians normally should do or get involved in, therefore they must be Christians. 

2. Grace-based Christians 

What then are the true signs of a Christian? I submit to you the followings in contrast to the list given above: 

He is one who, when he comes under the conviction of the Holy Spirit… 

1. Is justified by faith (Rom 3:28, 5:1)
2. Is made aware of his wretchedness, that he is at enmity with God because of his sins (James 4:4).
3. Realises that he absolutely can do nothing to save himself because he is spiritually dead (Eph 2:1; Col 2:13).
4. By grace through faith receives Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, as his personal Saviour and Lord (Eph 2:8).
5. Is made a new creature (2 Cor 5:17).
6. Desires more than “the sincere milk of the word” and goes for “strong meat” (1 Pet 2:2; Heb 5:14).
7. Understood that the bestowment of spiritual gifts is for the edification of the body of Christ, the Church (1 Cor 4:12; Eph 4:12).
8. Has not only a high profession, but lives like a Christian.
9. Goes not only against sin, but hates sin and the sinfulness of sin, just as God hates sin.
10. Desires to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet 3:18).
11. Trembles at the Word and submits to God (James 4:7)
12. More than delights in the Word, but is a doer of the Word and keeper of God’s commandments out of love for Him (James 1:22; John 14:15).
13. Is a member of the body of Christ through the union of the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13).
14. Hopes in the Lord Jesus (1 Thess 1:3; 2:19).

   15. Is undergoing sanctification by the Holy Spirit (2 Thess 2:13; 2 Pet 1:2)

16. Has zeal from God
17. Prays “effectual fervent prayers” (James 5:16)
18. Suffers for Christ for His name’s sake (1 Pet 2:19 & 20).
19. Is not only called of God but sent (Rom 10:15).
20. Has the Spirit abiding in him (1 John 3:24; 4:13).
21. Has experiential saving faith.
22. Loves the people of God because he has the love of God in his heart (1 John 4:12).
23. Does all things for the glory of God, and not as men pleasers (1 Cor 10:31; Col 3:23; Eph 6:6 & 7). 

Conclusion

I suggest that we revisit the scripture and ask the Holy Spirit to search the deep recesses of our hearts and reveal our true position, whether we are in Christ or not. If you truly desire to know the condition of your heart and care for your own soul, get this book and read it meditatively. You may be shocked to discover that after all these years as a Christian, you are so close and yet so far from being a true follower of Jesus Christ. 

I end once again with a quote from the author, “The design hereof is not to "break the bruised reed, nor to quench the smoking flax. Not to discourage the weakest believer, but to awaken formal professors. I would not sadden the hearts of any whom God would not have made sad though I know it is hard to rip up the dangerous state and condition of a professing hypocrite, so but that the weak Christian will think himself concerned in the discovery.” –

– Mok Chee Cheong

Note: The Book, “The Almost Christian Discovered” (Rev Matthew Mead) is available free online at: http://www.ccel.org/ccel/mead_matthew/almost.pdf

Shorter Catechism Question 33

33. What is justification?

Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.

Appointments for the Week

Monday, Feb 3

        7.30 pm     ERBL: Counselling in the Local Church (Mr Joel Seah)

Tuesday, Feb 4

        8.00 pm     Prayer Meeting (Dn Russell Indran)

Thursday, Feb 6

      10.00 am     Ladies’ Prayer Group

        7.30 pm     ERBL: The Epistles of Peter (Rev Bendick Ong)

Saturday, Feb 8

        3.00 pm     LTF / YLM

Sunday, Feb 9

  8.00 am  All of One Hebrews 2:11-18 (Bro Mok Chee Cheong)

  8.00 am Choir Practice

  9.15 am Library (Sanctuary Balcony)

    9.40 am Sunday School / Catechism Class

10.15 am Coffee Corner

11.00 am All of One Hebrews 2:11-18 (Bro Mok Chee Cheong)

11.00 am Children’s Ministry

11.00 am Chinese Service (MPH)

11.00 am Filipina Service (Rm 1-6)

12.15 pm Library (Sanctuary Balcony)

  2.30 pm Thai Service (LMH)

  4.00 pm Indonesian Service (Rm 1-6)

Announcements

In-Person Church Prayer Meeting

Date: 2 February 2025 (Today)

Time: 5.00pm

Venue: Beulah Room 2-1

Traffic Warden Service

We welcome all church members to join in this work. Our TW’s role is to provide godly service to facilitate worship. We need help in following time slots for Sunday: 7.30-8am or 10.30-11am with a frequency of once or twice a month. Please contact Dn Chan Yong or Bro Kelvin.

Vacation Bible School (VBS) 2025

VBS is back this year for N2-P6 children!  Save the Dates: 4-6 June (Wed-Fri)
Details on how to register will be coming your way soon—stay tuned!

Birth

Congratulations to Dn & Mrs A Khoo on the birth of a baby boy, Matthew, on 28 January 2025.

Condolence

Our condolences to Dr D Cheong and family on the homegoing of his mother, Mdm Cheong KY (92 years old), on 30 January 2025. 

Far Eastern Kindergarten Online Registration 2026 Intake

Pre-Nursery (Morning and Afternoon Vacancies): Children born in 2023
Nursery (Vacancies in PM only): Children born in 2022
K1 (Morning and Afternoon vacancies): Children born in 2021
Priority registration for church members: 1 February to 14 February 2025
Register online at http://www.lifebpc.com/fekedu/registration.html
It will be on a first-come-first-serve basis after 14 February 2025.
Please visit our website http://www.lifebpc.com/fekedu/ or call 6251 3676 for more information.

Young Adult Talks 2025

How hard must a Christian work? How rich do I need to be? Does God really care so much about how I date and marry? Is it wrong to enjoy my cafe brunches and travel escapades?

Navigating adulthood is no small challenge, but God has not left us without instruction.  

Join us in a series of Young Adult Talks this year, as we explore how we may live as pilgrims in a world full of distraction – Passing the Time of our Sojourning Here in Fear (1 Peter 1:17).  

Please save the dates, and stay tuned for more information about each talk and the speakers who will be sharing God’s Word with us! 

Scan the QR code in the poster to join our Young Adults Fellowship (YAF) Telegram channel for further updates on the talks and other YAF events! 

Church Camp 2025

Save the date! Please mark your calendars for our upcoming church camp!

Theme: Are We Prepared to Meet Christ?

Dates: 17-20 June 2025

Venue: Radisson Hotel, Batam, Indonesia

Speaker: Rev Ian Goligher, Retired Pastor of Free Presbyterian Church in Cloverdale, BC Canada.

Join us for a blessed time of spiritual growth and fellowship as we explore the messages from the letters of Christ to the seven churches in Revelation.

Camp registration will start from today, 19 January 2025. You may go to the church's website at https://www.lifebpc.com/church-camp-2025 to register online. Availability will be on a first come first serve basis. Please do register early to avoid disappointment. If you require any assistance with registration, please contact Josiah Seah at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For any questions about camp, please contact Dn Chen Wei'an .

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