Quote from Eddie on July 5, 2024, 5:25 pm

Quote from Alex Filamor on April 29, 2024, 10:40 pm

1. There are 3 serious troubles that Watchman Nee pointed out who are engaged in Christian work.
   1. Lack of love for man – it is not that I fall short on this but it’s the way I love a person … it's easy to love others if you receive respect and love also.
   2. Lack of esteem for a man – easily I judge people on the outcome or result of what they are doing based on their personality
   3. Failure to realize the value of man in God’s sight – this is the area that still a work in progress for me, I should be always be reminded that ALL men are created equal in the eyes of the LORD
2. The great importance = How can you serve others wholeheartedly? It is by humbly accepting that you cannot do ALL things without God’s grace. Sometimes it crosses my mind that because of my skills, talents, and abilities, the things that I am doing is only because that’s who am I. Neglecting that ALL of those come from the LORD.
3. Yes, there are people or groups of people that I don’t like, simply because they don’t have value to me or interest.

Watchman Nee, said it clearly that God created ALL men equal and sees every man important in His eyes. This chapter emphasizes the importance of accepting brothers and sisters in our midst with due respect, accepting them who they are, and serve or treat them equally.

4. The new mindset that has taught me in this chapter is to put the concern of others before mine. Serve with full humility. Always seek God’s grace in all that you do. Be a Servant Leader.

Alex, you're not alone in being selective with whom you would love and serve.  And, you're not alone -- and thanks for confessing that -- when you say it's easier to love those who love us back.   I think the lesson of Watchman Nee is clear enough to you.   We all need to learn this lesson to examine why we (supposedly) "love others", to expand our hearts, to love the unlovable, the undeserving, and everyone else whom we don't even know -- as in ALL MANKIND.

The challenge is how to do that, given that we have our respective calling to serve specific individuals in a specific way, right?  Obviously, we're not required to reach out equally to ALL men with the same intensity, the same quality and the same level of service love.  Only God has that capacity. 

But what Watchman Nee wants to highlight is for us, servant leaders, to be so focused on those within our assigned circle of service that we ignore the needs of all others whom God sends our way, or brings to our attention.  There are so many issues confronting modern mankind -- whether it's poverty, discrimination, hedonism, climate change, etc etc  -- that we cannot ignore.  Even if it means bringing this to sincere prayer every day, would already be an act of love; including praying for those men and women who can influence these outcomes.

Watchman Nee acknowledges that we're all so busy in our respective services as church leaders attending to those whom we've been called to "serve", and we are highly committed to do so (right?), and so we focus on serving these people.  But Watchman says, we need to be sensitive to those occasions, to those moments, when God would send someone for us to reach out and touch with love -- and this someone may be out of our circle of "pastoral coverage".  This may be a complete stranger, or maybe even someone you disdain, or someone you would rather not have anything to do with, or someone who will not know how to appreciate us or thank us.   We ought not to close our minds and hearts to them, even if we think we're dutifully doing God's service to those in our pastoral care.  We need to remain open with loving hearts to see everyone as Jesus sees them, and to be sensitive to how the Holy Spirit would prompt us to act out of love.  The parable of the Good Samaritan is an excellent lesson that Jesus wants to teach us, busy leaders.  Remember, the people who passed by that injured person were not bad people; they were busy with their respective service ministries.  Let's not just love those we're assigned to love; sana ol.

Quote from Eddie on July 5, 2024, 6:27 pm

Quote from Jordan Echague on April 30, 2024, 8:33 am

Quote from Eddie on April 13, 2024, 2:28 pm

Dear Brothers,

Here is Chapter 3, "A Lover of Men" by Watchman Nee.   This chapter, like the rest of his series, is very important; but may I give you fair warning:  Not only is the writing style of Watchman quite dense, in this case it also is quite abstract.  You'll need to read it 3 or 4 times at least.  However his message is quite valuable and challenging; may his iron sharpen our irons, brothers!! 

I'm posting here two versions: (a) unmarked version; (b) annotated with my markings and reflection guide.   You may read and study whichever version you feel comfortable with.  

For your assignment, kindly share your answers to the following questions in the Discussion Forum, as we did in the last chapter.

1. According to Watchman Nee, what is the "serious trouble with many who are engaged in Christian work"?  How does this apply to you?
2. What is the question of great importance?  How would you rephrase that question and address it to yourself?
3. Are there people (individuals or groups of people) whom you dislike or disdain or despise? or whom you are indifferent about (not in a negative sense, but just not in your area of interest or concern)?  What is this chapter saying about how God sees them, and how you should thus consider them?
4. Watchman Nee refers to the parables in Luke 15, about forsaking all in order to seek the one lost sheep, the one lost coin, the one lost son.  What new mindset would you personally need to embrace in order to take on this leadership challenge by Watchman Nee?  How do you reconcile this with your current service role and calling in Ligaya?

God bless you.

1. "A serious trouble with many who are engaged in Christian work is their lack of love for man, their lack of esteem for man, their failure to realize the value of man in God’s sight."

Watchman Nee describes "Man" as all of mankind and that all of man are equally valuable in the eyes of God.

I'm particularly affected by this chapter because of my tendency to dissociate myself from those who may hurt me, harm me, or who may influence me negatively. This was the key to my change of heart which enabled my "kairos moment". That I distance myself from persons who are unhealthy for my soul. 

Yet in this chapter, I'm told to hold them dear to me as part of my Christian duties. Such a difficult and humbling predicament for me. 

By God's grace, I may be humbled even more and approach servanthood with an open heart, especially to those who need God's light shined upon them through our actions.

2. "No doubt you are interested in a few particularly intelligent people, a few who in one way or another are outstanding; but what I want to know is not if you are interested in men of unusual measure, but if you are interested in man.

This question is one of great importance."

If I paraphrase this question, it would come out to something like this:

"Will you serve not only those who provide value to you and your life, but also those who may bring burden and plight to you and those around you?"

These two types of people are the ends of a spectrum in my list of people to care for. On one end are people who bring me growth, inspiration, and convenience, while the other end are those who weigh me down and change my life's pace from quick to slow.

3. Immediately what comes to my mind is my disappointment and belittling of the less fortunate and uneducated. After the last presidential election, my heart was broken apart by how the masses disregarded our concern for them & decided to spite the middle class by putting into power someone unfavored by the educated mind. 

I felt exhausted and defeated off the bat. Right now there is a numb indifference that I cannot seem to recover from. 

Another group of people that I seem to ignore are those unwilling to listen and those with closed minds. 

I feel that my efforts are in vain when dealing with these people and so I adjust the intensity of my approach. 

My service in community deals with the children of community members, much of whom prefer to live a life undisturbed.  And I value them very much because I understand what they're going through since I was came from the same background. I believe that I desire intensely to bring them closer to God as I want to share the joy of being God's beloved.

However, there are LNP members who I perceive with questionable motives for their membership. These people I find apathetic to our way of life or just with us for networking, maybe material gain. And these people, I tend to ignore and I seem to protect myself from them. 

Now I ask myself these questions, "Can I love and treat all those I serve with the same intensity and fervor? Am I able to see my brethren as valuable and worthy of the little time I spend in service?"

This chapter has opened my heart a bit to the harsh reality that I am a hypocritical servant, selfish and arrogant. And I ask for prayers that I may relearn to love "the angry mob" just as our Lord Jesus did, with a sincere heart.

God sees all of us equally valuable and worthy of His love. This is what I dream to achieve by His grace, that I may see others in high regard amidst the decisions they make and the situations that they are in.

4. This chapter charges me to widen my capacity to love. My horizon of service should stretch out to all those within God's loving embrace.

Brothers, please pray that I may find a catharsis of sorts that will enable me to forgive those who have hurt me and a renewed desire to served those whom I called to serve.

I’m happy to see how this article has touched you, Jordan.  Praise God for that.  But if you read the submission of your brothers, you will learn that you are not alone in being selective in whom we serve with love.  Thank you for your honesty in admitting and in pointing out those who disappoint us, who do not appreciate us, who contradict us, who ignore us.  And – of note are those in your list who are supposedly committed to living their lives in accordance with our professed approach, right? 

I guess that’s exactly what Watchman Nee is trying to point out to all of us. 

Remember, to love those who only add value to our lives, is self-love, more than sacrificial love.  And – while there is a difference between “liking” someone vs “loving” someone – it’s true, we are commanded to love all men.  We may not “like” them, but we have to love them, as Jesus would love them.  Clearly, your investment of time and energy in advocating political reform is an example of love put in action.  But then again we’re reminded to not discriminate whom we are to love; for we are to love all mankind.  How exactly we do this – especially those we dislike -- is subject of a different teaching altogether.  And I pray that you be sensitive to the voice of the Lord on this specific matter.  I think He’s trying to say something to you here; so bring this to the Lord, and maybe even discuss this with your pastoral leader for some actionable points.

But even going beyond those whom we disdain, there are millions of others (the rest of mankind, literally), whom Watchman Nee reminds us to love the way God loves them.  Even if it means simply expressing compassion, praying for them, and wishing the best for them, including redemption and salvation and so on. 

And, as I have reminded other brothers in this thread, we need to be sensitive to those occasions where God presents specific opportunities to extend love and compassion whether to a complete stranger, or maybe even someone you disdain, or someone you would rather not have anything to do with, or someone who will not know how to appreciate us or thank us.   The parable of the Good Samaritan is an excellent lesson that Jesus wants to teach us, busy leaders.  Remember, the people who passed by that injured person were not bad people; they were merely too busy with their respective service ministries, right? 

Quote from Eddie on July 5, 2024, 7:02 pm

Quote from Henry Salim on May 1, 2024, 3:34 pm

1.     According to Watchman Nee, what is the serious trouble with many (presumably ourselves) who are engaged in Christian work? How does this apply to you?

 

We get into trouble because we have a tendency to see the world as us and them. I think it is human nature to form associations with those who they have something in common.  It is easier for us to be with people who share similar interests, who come from similar backgrounds.  The more points of congruence, the more comfortable we feel. As a result, we tend to limit our work within these circles. When there are instances when we are called to go out of these circles, we do so out of obedience but we never really feel we belong. We finish our tasks and hurry back to who we percieve as our people.

 

2.     What is the question of great importance? How would you rephrase that question and address it to yourself?

 

Are we interested in a particular group of men or are we interested in man? Obviously , I am callled to love more. I am not only called to love the present set of people that is before me but to continue to expand this set to include the people that God send my way. The effort is to expand and not to limit my love and involvement.

 

3.     Are there people (individuals or groups of people) whom you dislike or disdain or despise? What about those whom you are indifferent about (not in a negative sense, but just not in your area of interest or concern)? What is this chapter saying about how God sees them, and how you should thus consider them?

 

This chapter reminded me that our people is the whole of mankind. We are called to be good companions not only to people who we think we share common ground but also to people who are different from us. I am again brought back to the truth that we all are sinners that are saved not by our own individual merit but by the love of our God. He is loves us individually and we are all in a personal way very special to Him. If I am to work for God I should be ready to serve and be with whoever He send my way and not just a selected group.  I should see everybody equally  as sons and daughters of God and not see bounderies that divides and categorizes us.

 

4.     Watchman Nee refers to the parables in Luke 15, about forsaking all in order to seek the one lost sheep, the one lost coin, the one lost son. What new mindset would you personally need to adopt in order to embrace this calling?

 

We should be on the look out for outliers, those in the fringes, those that need help. It is easier not to see them. Seeing them would entail a personal cost to us. A cost that we could have avoided paying if we just looked the other way and focused on the 99 sheep. A cost that we are asked to pay if we are to be working for our Lord.

 

Yes, Henry, it is human nature to associate and deal with those with like minds, and like hearts.  God forms communities that way.  There is nothing wrong with that. 

But Watchman Nee warns us not to be so close-minded; but rather to remain open with loving hearts to see everyone as Jesus sees them, and to be sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit to act out of love.  Despite our serious commitment to serve those whom we are specifically called to serve selflessly in organized community settings, God is not honored when we turn a blind eye to the plight of the rest of mankind.  There are issues that go beyond community, such as poverty, discrimination, hedonism, global warming, etc., that we need to concern ourselves with.  Perhaps not to the same extent and degree as we are committed to give to our current service callings, but certainly to pray for those affected, to sincerely pray for those who are at the frontlines fighting those battles, and so on.

Yes, you’re absolutely correct, Henry that you need to be sensitive to those God sends your way to whom you are to extend concrete love and compassion.  And your openness to serve whomever God sends your way is commendable.  The lesson from the parable of the Good Samaritan comes to mind, right?  Those men who passed that injured robbery victim were not bad people; they just happened to be too busy focusing on their respective service ministries.  Let’s make sure our “designated service” doesn’t become a convenient excuse to marginalize the rest of mankind whom we are to love as Jesus would.

Quote from Eddie on July 5, 2024, 7:17 pm

Quote from Jorel Mateo on May 4, 2024, 4:58 pm

For your assignment, kindly share your answers to the following questions in the Discussion Forum, as we did in the last chapter.

1. According to Watchman Nee, what is the "serious troublewith many who are engaged in Christian work"?  How does this apply to you?

The serious trouble being referred to is the selective love or loving just a few among everyone in your group or Everyone.  Being involved in Christian work, We fall into the trap into thinking that we are okay and somehow ahead of others already. We are happy to say to ourselves that we are doing a good job, doing good service to fellow men in need, and get clouded that it’s enough already.

Before reading this article, I was into that zone.  I was coasting along, thinking that I’m more than average, and that I should just take it easy and not do anything bad. 

After reading this, I realized, that I’m just starting.  And that there is really a universe still to learn, do and understand.  Thanks to eye openers like this.

 

2. What is the question of great importance?  How would you rephrase that question and address it to yourself?

I believe the question to ask ourselves is

How did the Lord have the ability to love ALL MEN? 

And How can I do the same?

 

3. Are there people (individuals or groups of people) whom you dislike or disdain or despise? or whom you are indifferent about (not in a negative sense, but just not in your area of interest or concern)?  What is this chapter saying about how God sees them, and how you should thus consider them?

• Competitors in Business
• Certain people in Government
• People who have hurt me

That God will give them grace to change their hearts and be better persons than they were before.

That God gives me more grace to learn to understand and to love them instead of despising them.  More difficult to do than say it.  Lord help me.

 

4. Watchman Nee refers to the parables in Luke 15, about forsaking allin order to seek the one lost sheep, the one lost coin, the one lost son.  What new mindset would you personally need to embrace in order to take on this leadership challenge by Watchman Nee?  How do you reconcile this with your current service role and calling in Ligaya?

All should be loved. 

In my role as a PL particularly, all those that I pastor should be given more patience, love and attention.  No ifs no buts.

I take it negatively when I feel that I’m not given any importance or does not reply to my messages or calls.

In this article, I am being taught to just continue with the work giving more importance to the assignment given by the Lord to help others go closer to Him.  And not concentrate on my own feelings and ego.

Praise God for this article, right, Jorel?  For it helped not just you but many of your fellow leaders in this thread to realize that we should not feel “fulfilled” from our service that we so lovingly and sacrificially extend to those assigned to us in community, and that we are to be open to serve any and all that God will continue to send our way.  On the other hand, we should not feel guilty for focusing on those designated to be under our care; rather, we should be thankful for this opportunity to serve in specific ways.  However, we need to resist the temptation to think that this is all we are required to do, and that we should just wait until we get another service assignment.

And, yes, I understand how you feel when even those whom you are assigned to serve respond with indifference, or callousness, or negatively.  The lessons from the Acts of the Apostles and the lives of Paul, and Peter and the other apostles who were rejected, condemned, and even persecuted, should be your consolation.

Watchman Nee highlights the need for us to see ALL MANKIND with the eyes of Jesus.  While we have very very limited capacity to serve everyone, it is no excuse for us to ignore many who just don’t happen to be in our membership list.  Right?  There are issues that confront all mankind – poverty, hedonism, discrimination, global warming, etc. – and though we certainly do not have the capacity to care for all mankind in all concerns, we have the power of prayer in our hands, to bring to the Lord in continuous prayer those affected and those working for the betterment of life.

Finally, I might add, that we all need to be sensitive to those occasions when God would send specific individuals who would need our loving care.  Whether these be complete strangers,  or someone who you disdain, or someone who would not even appreciate your loving concern, God’s command to love should compel us to take specific action when we can.  The parable of the Good Samaritan is the lesson that Jesus teaches all of us.  Remember, those men who ignored the injured robbery victim were not bad people; they were just busy and focused with their respective ministries. 

Quote from Eddie on July 6, 2024, 3:13 pm

Quote from Alan Santos on May 6, 2024, 6:16 pm

1. Lack of love for man, lack of esteem for man, failure to realize the value of man in God's sight, emphasizing ALL MEN!. I tend to chose rather than accept what is asked of me. I was practicing this last week, I can hear myself saying to myself, "love for all men" while going through the day. Realizing that it's really quite difficult and most often failing to love all men. Now my daily prayer includes Lord, help me to see that all men are precious to you. Teach me to see that all men are important.
2. All men are important regardless of who they are, what their status is, how bright or smart they are, all men are our brothers. We must care for them and accept them especially the poor and needy who are most neglected. 
3. Yes of course, there are people who i dislike and also am indifferent to. Especially those who are concerned only about themselves, who don't think about the consequences of their actions. 
   God, however, has told us to love all men, regardles of who or what they are. We must see all men as our "fellow-men". But to be honest about it, I am not sure how I will be able to this.
4. Quoting Watchman Nee "Oh that we might see every human being as a living soul wih an immense potentiality!" ALL souls are important in God's eyes, we are all his children. In order for one to truly care for our fellow men, we must humble ourselves and always look at others as being better than ourself, to forgive and love unconditionally. 

Love that prayer, Alan.  And I like where the Lord seems to be leading you here.  On your item 3, you’re not alone.  The command is to “love”.  There’s a difference between liking and loving.  So don’t feel guilty if you don’t like certain types of people.  But loving all mankind -- even those we disdain, those who don’t appreciate us, those who don’t agree with our principles or our approaches, those who bully us, etc etc – can start with praying for them, and wanting only God’s best blessings for them.  After all, Jesus died for them, too, right?

For the longest time, your service has been for the general membership in the Sector, and so you've not had to focus on and pastor specific individuals.  This is unlike many of the other leaders in this study group.  For them, obviously, their "calling" compels them to focus on serving the needs of those under their care; and understandably they have little time to serve and care for others -- certainly not to the same degree.  God's command to love all mankind obviously doesn't mean that we devote the same degree of care and handholding with all. 

But what Watchman Nee wishes to say in his chapter is that we all need to be sensitive to those occasions when God would send specific individuals who would need our loving care.  Whether these be complete strangers,  or someone who you disdain, or someone who would not even appreciate your loving concern, God’s command to love should compel us to take specific action when we can.  The parable of the Good Samaritan is the lesson that Jesus teaches all of us.  Remember, those men who ignored the injured robbery victim were not bad people; they were just busy and focused with their respective ministries.  Right?

Hope this helps, Bro.

Quote from Eddie on July 6, 2024, 3:42 pm

Quote from Erick Flores on May 6, 2024, 10:52 pm

1. According to Watchman Nee, what is the "serious trouble with many who are engaged in Christian work"? How does this apply to you?

A serious trouble with many who are engaged in Christian work is:
- their lack of love for man,
- their lack of esteem for man,
- their failure to realize the value of man in God’s sight.

Our imperfections on loving man definitely roots from sin and probably varies in expression from the way we were raised or influenced growing up.

Growing up, I have experienced my father accommodate guests in our house from many different backgrounds which he would reveal to me privately by the time the guests left our house. We have nothing to offer but my father’s word of advice and instant coffee. Papa does the talking, me and my siblings do the serving. Being young and childish made me dislike people not because of who or what they are but because of the inconvenience they bring to me.

Growing in relationship with Jesus, I came to know that loving others is imitating the generosity of the Good Samaritan in restoring the well being of a stranger. Even if it causes discomfort, inconvenience or sacrifice on our part. I, myself, have benefited a lot from the Good Samaritans along this life’s journey.

I agree with Watchman Nee that the failure of realizing the value of man in God’s sight is where the trouble starts. I need Jesus to see others as the Father sees them. It is only through grace that we can love, serve and lay down our lives for our fellow men in accordance to God’s will.

“For even the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mk. 10:45).

2. What is the question of great importance? How would you rephrase that question and address it to yourself?

The question of great importance:
“What I want to know is not if you are interested in men of unusual measure, but if you are interested in MAN?”

Rephrase to myself:
What comes into my mind is, “Can I love and give to others without counting the cost?”

It seems easy and comforting to love someone because I recognize God in them and see the heavenly benefit as mentioned in Matthew 25:40,

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

But it is hard and impossible when I cannot see God in that person because his deeds and choices does not manifest God’s presence. Being human, it is impossible but in Christ nothing is impossible.

3. Are there people (individuals or groups of people) whom you dislike or disdain or despise? or whom you are indifferent about (not in a negative sense, but just not in your area of interest or concern)? What is this chapter saying about how God sees them, and how you should thus consider them?

Yes. It is not hard to dislike another person whose sin and injustice we witness to have negatively affected many others. It is also not easy to love a person you have a broken relationship with.

But we know the teachings, “Love the sinner, hate the sin.” I experienced being accepted despite of my sins and imperfections.

We know Jesus’ command, “Love your enemy.”

I know that God loves them as He loves me. I also know that Jesus wants to save them and me. If God calls me for this purpose, He will enable me to accomplish it according to His will.

4. Watchman Nee refers to the parables in Luke 15, about forsaking all in order to seek the one lost sheep, the one lost coin, the one lost son. What new mindset would you personally need to embrace in order to take on this leadership challenge by Watchman Nee? How do you reconcile this with your current service role and calling in Ligaya?

New mindset:
“His (God’s) workmen are servants of men who count it their joy to minister to their fellows (all mankind).”

Such is the joy of the Good Shepherd who found the lost sheep, the joy of the woman who found the lost coin and the joy of the father who welcomed his lost son.

We are Ligaya ng Panginoon (Joy of the Lord). We forsake all and take on the perseverance of the Good Shepherd, the wisdom of the Holy Spirit and the loving embrace of the Father to seek the lost, Ligaya and non-Ligaya fellow men.

I agree with you 100% Erick on your singling out the lesson from the parable of the Good Samaritan.  It’s exactly what I’ve pointed out to many of the brothers in this study group.  Naturally because you guys all have your assigned service, and you’re committed to extended love to those under your care, the tendency is to consider narrowly limit our attention and compassion to them, and feel that we’ve honored God’s command to love.  I reminded them to go beyond this circle (no matter how big the circle might be), to make sure that they don’t turn a blind eye to the needs of all others whom God would send our way – precisely the example of the Good Samaritan. 

As for your difficulty in loving the unlovable (i.e., you don’t see the goodness of God manifesting from them) – pray that you would see what Jesus sees.  Remember how Jesus sought out Matthew, the notoriously corrupt and despicable tax collector.   And while there may not be a specific opportunity for you to extend practical love to these people, I think we can pray for their souls, and we can make it our desire for them to be saved.  As I pointed out to the other brothers in this study group, the command is to “love”.  We don’t have to “like” them; but we ought to love them.  Let’s work on understanding what this means in more specific terms, Erick.  I might also conclude that – just because liking someone is not the same as loving someone – it shouldn’t give us an excuse to be smug about them.  Rather, we ought to examine our own mindsets and behavior towards these people whom we disdain, and listen to what God is telling us about ourselves in how we handle ourselves around these people.  Clearly, the Lord will not surround us with the scum of the earth if He didn’t use that opportunity to transform us.

On your last point, I don’t believe that you are indifferent to the plight of the non-Ligaya people in your social and professional circles.  The love for all mankind that we all called to have involves all the elements of evangelization – shining God’s light in the darkness, being the salt of the earth, proclaiming the good news to others, and so on.  And all of these done not just in obedience to our calling, but out of love for all those who see us, who hear us, who notice us.

Quote from Eddie on July 6, 2024, 4:59 pm

Quote from Noel Lugue on May 14, 2024, 7:20 am

1. According to Watchman Nee, what is the "serious trouble with many who are engaged in Christian work"?  How does this apply to you? Serious trouble of those who are engaged in Christian Work is the lack of love , lack of esteem for MAN and the failure to see how God values man. I have been experiencing these through my love for God's people.  My love language is "affirmation" . When one joins a community like CYA ,Lingkod or Ligaya, affirmation is sincerely felt. Thus , unconsciously or consciously , I have a tendency to imitate these encouragers..that is to love them back. And through time there is a sense of satisfaction when you devote time, effort and even money to just be in this circle of love. Unintentionally , we lose the opportunity to love Man who are outside the circle.  However, still I thank Ligaya family  for the teachings about love and being others oriented, or mission oriented. These will really shake you to go back to the truth and realization that God loves ALL.
2. What is the question of great importance?  How would you rephrase that question and address it to yourself?The phrase Son Of Man implies that our Lord is interested in MAN so much so that He became one. "Noel , are you interested in Man in the same manner that Your Lord is and became one and lived like one."?
3. Are there people (individuals or groups of people) whom you dislike or disdain or despise? or whom you are indifferent about (not in a negative sense, but just not in your area of interest or concern)?  What is this chapter saying about how God sees them, and how you should thus consider them?  This is a difficult question . Maybe the best way to answer this is to share what i ahve learned in my service to Tahanan ng Panginoon.  In my early years of Service, Unconsciously, my disposition is I am from Ligaya and I am helping poor people. As if I was saying , "I am better , I know better and you from Tnp are poor so we will help ". What the Lord taught me is they simply are my brethren. They are also sons and daughters of God. The Lord also died for them. They are my brothers and sisters. I dont give them food in a plate. I eat with them in the same plate"
4. Watchman Nee refers to the parables in Luke 15, about forsaking all in order to seek the one lost sheep, the one lost coin, the one lost son.  What new mindset would you personally need to embrace in order to take on this leadership challenge by Watchman Nee?  How do you reconcile this with your current service role and calling in Ligaya. Luke 15 in relation to Nee's view illustrates the immense personal love of God for one soul who is lost ( who sins). How He will go out of His way to find it ( him/her). Parallel to John 3:16, The Father sent His Son for the Lost....for all.  In my service now as Senior leader / TNP Worker, and in relation to my answer on item 3 above,  I pray that the Lords grace and Spirit renew me day by day that I should value each person in the way that He values, He Serves, He loves   each one . Maganda pagnilayan sa Tagalog . MAHAL ng DIYOS ang tao. MAHAL means love and expensive.

Great testimonies, Noel.  Indeed it’s a blessing that we ourselves have been embraced and loved and welcomed into community – whether at CYA, Lingkod, Tahanan, Ligaya itself, or even just in the Pathways outreaches.  Certainly, within the community, we are called to love and care our fellow members in a special way, and even though some members may be “difficult” to love, there is enough structure to ensure and to remind us to constantly love unconditionally.

The challenge that Watchman Nee poses to us who are in a community (covenanted pa nga, excuse me lang), and who have positions of service leadership, is that we may be so engrossed in loving our brethren in community and we feel that our duty to love is already fulfilled.  As he pointed out in the parables in Luke 15, there are so many out there that are lost.  Obviously, walang mangyayari sa evangelization efforts natin, if we did not have a bigger heart of love for those who have not yet come to know the Lord.  The story of the call of Matthew is a prime example, where Jesus reached out even to the people whom others disdained and rejected.  That’s the kind of love we ought to have. 

As for the rest of mankind (wow, really?), the least we can do is to bring them all into prayer – those who are poor, discriminated against, who wallow in hedonism and materialism, who are victims of corruption, of war, of global warming, and so on.  Then there are those who are difficult to love – I’m sure you have your own favorites.  We ought to love them in a special way by asking God to bless them as well (tama ka, Jesus died for them also), right?  And finally, as someone in this study group mentioned, we need to be sensitive to those occasions when God would bring to us someone whom we have to go out of our way to extend love and compassion to; the story of the Good Samaritan is prime lesson here.  Hindi nga ba, those people who passed by that mugging victim were not bad people; they were just too preoccupied with their service priorities. 

Quote from Eddie on July 6, 2024, 5:23 pm

Quote from Brien Myles Villamiel on May 18, 2024, 9:12 pm

sorry for late reflection... 

According to Watchman Nee, what is the "serious trouble with many who are engaged in Christian work"?  How does this apply to you?

• To place it in my own words, Watchman Nee is reminding us that in Christian work it is not just for the love of a select few… it is a love for all. As is stated in John 3:16, For God so loved the world… not just the Philippines, nor the people who are part of a covenant community… not just those who are educated or can afford 3 meals a day…Jesus came… for all of us, even those we are not comfortable associating with.
• In my studies with CEFAM, one of the basic perspective/ principle we are espoused to take is UPR [Unconditional Positive Regard], which simply means that whoever or whatever the client brings to you in counseling we should not judge the person nor their circumstance, but try to just listen, accompany and when asked provide a perspective for them to consider. UPR also applies to us in community… no judgement, no high-brows, but unconditionally accepting each other as a brother & sister in Christ. Easy to say but hard to do especially with all our individual characteristics & flaws… and yet, we shouldn’t stop as we are called to be His light, His Ligaya to one another (and the whole world).

What is the question of great importance?  How would you rephrase that question and address it to yourself?

• Am I here just to serve and love the people that are lovable, likable and with whom I am comfortable with? Being asked to be God’s hope givers/ light bearers… is it just for these people or for everyone… similar to my reflection above, we should be able to extend our pegs that we may reach and help even those with whom we are uncomfortable with.

Are there people (individuals or groups of people) whom you dislike or disdain or despise? or whom you are indifferent about (not in a negative sense, but just not in your area of interest or concern)?  What is this chapter saying about how God sees them, and how you should thus consider them?

• Since our community is filled with men & women who are all flawed (and blessed/ loved by God), there may be one or two (or three) bros & sis that may fall under this category… those that are there but not necessarily having no need for me to have concern about.
• This Chapter says we should go to confession and ask for God’s forgiveness 🙂 🙂 🙂 … but seriously, we should care for all our brethren, even those with whom we are uncomfortable with, unfamiliar, having opposing opinion and simply different from us… since we are all brothers & sisters to an Almighty Father who loved us even while we were sinners!

Watchman Nee refers to the parables in Luke 15, about forsaking all in order to seek the one lost sheep, the one lost coin, the one lost son.  What new mindset would you personally need to embrace in order to take on this leadership challenge by Watchman Nee?  How do you reconcile this with your current service role and calling in Ligaya?

• As a community kid, being raised, seeing and hearing how the community has grown, the challenge to remain humble, not having a “alam ko na yan” or a “holier-than-thou” or even “ba’t di mo alam yan” attitude, is something that needs to be tempered… I am still flawed… I am not perfect... and yet, I have received the unconditional love of brothers (and sisters). Shouldn’t I be mirroring that unconditional love to others as well, as a loving response.
• As a Senior Leader and District Servant, the call is to be loving to all… even to those who I feel awkward with, have different understandings & principles and came from different upbringings. Following the WWJD principle, love everyone the same way I am loved by him… unconditionally.

Thanks for sharing that interesting term from CEFAM, Brien: “Unconditional Positive Regard”.  Yes, easier said than done, but who said unconditional love was easy, right?  You’re right, that we shouldn’t feel that we’ve done our duty by focusing on those in our small prayer circles or prayer community.  There is a greater tendency to fall into this trap once you take a leadership role, because, naturally, much of your energy is focused on those under your care.  And this is why Watchman Nee reminds us (leaders) to keep our hearts open. 

Obviously the effort of evangelization will not work, if we did not have love outside our circles, right?  Thus, your reference to expanding our tent pegs is also very illustrative of this command to love ALL mankind.

As for loving those whom we disdain, those who do not appreciate us, those who oppose us even, or those who are in the margins, as the testimonies from the Epistles show us, we are not exempted from all sorts of resistance, yet, we need to continue to bring them into prayer out of love for their eternal wellbeing.  While we may not be the best people to convince them, the command to shine God’s light of love, to be the salt of the earth, and to bring good news to all remains an essential task of all of us who believe and have been saved.

One more thing, Brien.  Let’s learn from the parable of the Good Samaritan because we all need to be sensitive to those occasions which God may send our way, to reach out in an extraordinary way to people in need.  As I pointed out to the other brothers in this thread, those men who passed by that mugging victim on the road and did not help were not bad people.  They were just too busy focusing on their respective service ministries.  There’s a lesson there for all of us busy servant leaders, right?

Quote from Eddie on July 6, 2024, 6:01 pm

Quote from MarYo Galvez on May 21, 2024, 3:11 pm

According to Watchman Nee, what is the "serious trouble" with many who are engaged in Christian work"?  How does this apply to you?

The serious trouble with many engaged in Christian work according to Watchman Nee is not seeing value in people, not trusting them, not loving them.

Being in the field of development work forming leaders in rural communities (and now in the urban setting), I believe I have deep love for the people which was amplified even more when I entered community. But entering 25 years of being in this field, unfortunately, my “love for the people” has dwindled and can be seen in the following forms:

• I tend to play favorites with community leaders who are fast learners and become impatient with those who will need more guidance.
• I shy away from relating with local officials because typecasting – they pretend they need people’s opinion but they really are after their support. I usually tell my boss, “ako na bahala sa project implementation, ikaw na bahala sa pakikipag-deal sa powers that be.”
• I pass up opportunities to know more of the people we serve outside the formal meetings and trainings. Trabaho lang walang magaganap na personalang pagkakakilanlan.

What is the question of great importance?  How would you rephrase that question and address it to yourself?

I could not have phrased the question any better - To what extent are you interested? At first it does not seem to apply to me because of my field of work but digging into the word “interested” makes me reflect on the following:

•  How sincere is the interest? Being exposed to basic sectors (more known as poorest of the poor or disadvantaged groups) as program beneficiaries for over 2 decades, I have to admit that I my excitement sometimes lies more on the ways of innovating on programs and piloting new strategies to test my experience and knowledge. Kung ano ang personal stories behind the impact of the interventions – I leave it to my teammates – kasi it requires more effort and time and documentation (which I get bored easily with now).
•  Am I on autopilot mode? This is the scarier question. Kung nababawasan na ang aking excitement, service pa ba siyang matatawag or work na? A former colleague noticed that I am always in a rush mode (naiinip na sa meeting or nagmamadaling tapusin). Worse, she pointed out that I know have a “sungit mode” when I do real talk with the participants and pretend to teach them but in reality dictate how they should act as leaders.  
•  What was I made for? Copying the theme song of a blockbuster movie, and very timely with this present concern of mine, I am discerning on the role that the Lord is asking me to see, act and do in my field not only as a public servant but as His disciple.

Are there people (individuals or groups of people) whom you dislike or disdain or despise? or whom you are indifferent about (not in a negative sense, but just not in your area of interest or concern)?  What is this chapter saying about how God sees them, and how you should thus consider them?

Since I started working for a local government unit, I have realized that there are people:

• Who use people to get their way.
• Who can hide good intentions for personal benefits.
• Who are numb to the fact that people can see through them doing the above things.

So when I hear people talk about them, shy away from them or pretend to be with ok them, I begin to realize how lost they are and how much they are in need. They want to be involved in projects because they need attention which they cannot get it from their own barangay / community. They desire to be invited in events, because the recognition gives them confidence which might be the key for them to be contributing citizens. Sa daming ng hinihiling nila, baka ang hanap lang nila ay may magtrato sa kanila ng tama.

I remember one interaction with community leader who is very bright (he memorizes the senior citizen related laws) but is also very much disliked by many because he eat up time during open forums giving the government lecture on what it needs to do (kahit sinasabihan ko na mismo na times up na). I knew was not getting through to him. So when I noticed that he rotates around 2-3 shirts for every activity organized by the city, I thought of gathering my unused polo shirts to give to him. One day, I handed over the clothes and told him that I am not using them anymore and he could have it. In a succeeding activity, he approached me and proudly showed of one of my shirts. Then when it was his usual time to ask questions, he asked the question that he needed but without any lecture. It must be the shirt – sabi ko, sabi ng teammates ko.

Parang prodigal son pala – naghahanap ng pagtanggap ng kung anumang nawala sa kanya o winala niya. My officemates tell me he is abandoned already by his family kaya baka he needs that attention. He is a man who might not have seen intensity of love from a fellow man for a long time.  

Watchman Nee refers to the parables in Luke 15, about forsaking allin order to seek the one lost sheep, the one lost coin, the one lost son.  What new mindset would you personally need to embrace in order to take on this leadership challenge by Watchman Nee?  How do you reconcile this with your current service role and calling in Ligaya?

My mindset in seeking the lost, has been a review of what I have stood for before, but in need of prayers for more sincerity, consistency and action to do more (magis).  

• Lahat ay may pinanggagalingang oppression. People are in need because they feel they have less or lost access or right to something. I have to understand what it is and find the gaps or needs to be filled.
• Lahat ay may angking kakayanan. Filling the gaps and needs starts from them. Hindi lang siya basta nabibigay.
• Lahat ay may puwang para sa dasal. Man can only do so much. For everything that we cannot control, we live it up to prayer.  

I am applying these same principles / mindset as a pastoral leader – to understand the brothers under me, what they think their needs and how remind them how the Lord built them to fill these needs and leave room for much prayer and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

 

MarYo, on your fist point, I think it’s proper that we – who have a mission to accomplish – ought to be strategic and wise in our approach in effecting transformational initiatives.  In Matt 10:16 , Jesus instructs His disciples: “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”  O, di ba?  Your heart is in the right place when you need to steer away from those who will just drain your energy. 

As to passing up opportunities to reach out beyond those who are signed up to your formal meetings, pray about this.  Yes, perhaps this is what Watchman Nee is advising us to counter.  Of course, we can’t possibly reach out to everyone; it’s physically impossible.  However, as pointed out by Watchman Nee, we can’t be complacent and smug thinking we’ve done our duty in serving and loving mankind simply because we’ve ticked off our To-Do lists relative to those we’ve been assigned to tend to.  What comes to mind now are the stories told by Mark about Jesus not settling in just one town, but moving from town to town to town.  Ganon kaya ang dapat din natin gawin?  Again, depends.  You’re a developmental specialist.  Alam mo ang sagot dito.  Some tactics lend themselves to that kind of approach; but others which require more immersive activities would require investing much more time to set up. 

Regarding your self-examination of motives and what keeps you engaged and interested – praise God for this.  1 Cor 13 comes to mind, right?  Be sure to go to a quiet place to rest, and refresh.  Love is hard work.  But its outcomes are everlasting.  And your story about how you won over that brilliant community leader who was constantly beating his chest with love – that’s the power of love, Yo!! 

I’ve pointed out to the rest of the brothers in this thread that no matter how busy we are “loving” others in our respective service milieus, we ought to be sensitive to those occasions when God would send us an individual whom we have to go out of our way to extend love to, citing the parable of the Good Samaritan that Jesus told.  Those men who passed by that mugging victim were not bad people; they were just too engrossed with their service responsibilities.

I will close with a punctuation mark on your last bullet.  I’ve also mentioned to the other brothers that we cannot possibly extend love to all mankind equally.  Only God has that capacity.  But there are so many out there that need the Lord.  There are issues that confront all mankind – poverty, hedonism, discrimination, global warming, etc. – and though we certainly do not have the capacity to care for all mankind in all concerns, we have the power of prayer in our hands, to bring to the Lord in continuous prayer those affected and those working for the betterment of life.

Quote from Eddie on July 6, 2024, 7:19 pm

Quote from Gary Cabalde on May 21, 2024, 10:25 pm

1. According to Watchman Nee, what is the "serious trouble with many who are engaged in Christian work"?  How does this apply to you?

The serious trouble with the Christian workers is when we fail to see the ultimate reason why we are engaged in the mission work in the first place....to be like Jesus to many! Guilty as I write my response to this question as admittedly, I've been "selective" with people whom I serve in my many years in the mission. I failed to see men as the men whom Jesus Christ loves, to the point of becoming like one and then died on the cross just to redeem us from our sure death.

What is the question of great importance?  How would you rephrase that question and address it to yourself?

The question of great importance is whether I see men the way that Jesus Christ passionately looks at them to the point of becoming one of us (except sin). Answer: Hindi

As I write my reply to this question, a doubt came to mind: "Am I ready to accept men the way that Jesus Christ loves us; that is all out and unconditional? People in the community may be easy but outside that is where the challenge begins. Handa ba talaga ako sa ganitong mission? Or am I being pruned by the Lord to become more radical in this mission?

Are there people (individuals or groups of people) whom you dislike or disdain or despise? or whom you are indifferent about (not in a negative sense, but just not in your area of interest or concern)?  What is this chapter saying about how God sees them, and how you should thus consider them?

Plenty of people definitely. Somehow I feel guilty as recently I assumed the post of heading the HR dept for almost a thousand souls (on top of my role as a CFO). I get tired, I get frustrated. I would say as a CFO, numbers would not complain nor react. You get what you see in your results. But with HR, I encounter frustrations almost every day. I want to help but I normally do it not in the eyes of the Lord, as lovers of men. Although I wear the hat of being a disciple on mission, a member of LNP community in my work (being compassionate with others) but the fact that I get frustrated (inis) and tired with men, I believe I need to do more on this area.

Watchman Nee refers to the parables in Luke 15, about forsaking all in order to seek the one lost sheep, the one lost coin, the one lost son.  What new mindset would you personally need to embrace in order to take on this leadership challenge by Watchman Nee?  How do you reconcile this with your current service role and calling in Ligaya?

That's the question I have in mind now: Am i ready to forsake all in order to seek the one lost sheep, the one lost coin? Do I carry the attitude of "one soul at a time for Jesus" in bringing the good news to others? I need to pray more to have a heart and mind to accept men the way Jesus does.

For us in LNP is easy since we all share a homogenous way of life. It is in the mission outside our "comfort zone" where the real battle happens ie. In our family, in our workplace, etc. that i need to have a change of heart and mind with the mission of sharing Jesus as a ransom for many from our sins and assured death.

Gary, thank you for the honesty in your reflections.  Indeed, we all need to be reminded to have genuine love for the men and women whom we serve.  (1 Cor 13 comes to mind, Gary.)  That really should be basic, and it did not require Watchman Nee to point this out.  What Watchman Nee points out to Christian leaders is that we all need to go beyond our respective designated mission fields, to go beyond the men and women “assigned to us”, and to ensure that we love all men beyond these organizational/community boundaries.

Yes, we are comfortable within our community boundaries, but it’s not as if our lives revolve only around the community, Gary.  And this is a wake up call to you, and actually to many of the other brothers in this study group.  The work of evangelization does not revolve around giving talks during Choices Seminars.  It begins with each one of us shining the light of Jesus to all we come in contact with on a day to day basis, being the salt of the earth, and pointing people to Jesus as the Lord and Savior of all, by our words and by our loving actions.  There’s nothing “radical” about this; it ought to come naturally and flow gracefully out of us, and to all of us who have been transformed by the love of Jesus.  If we have truly been transformed (and that’s the radical part about it), it should naturally show and flow out of us.

Maybe what is radical is our mindset, and our consciousness of that mission.  That yes, indeed, we are salt and light of the earth; and we do this not to shine the light on ourselves, but as a beacon of hope to all who are in darkness and need to let the Lord into their lives.

As far as dealing with people whom you disdain is concerned, you do need to bring that matter to the Lord, and ask Him to fill you with the love that you need in order to be an attractive agent of Jesus’s transforming power.  Your new role as head of HR is a crucial role; if you’re not prepared for it, ask for the Lord’s Holy Spirit to fill you with the necessary giftedness to serve with genuine Christ-like love.  I shall bring this into prayer, and of course be happy to make myself available for consultation and mentoring.  The Lord is expanding your tent, Gary.

Quote from Eddie on July 13, 2024, 6:44 pm

Quote from Joseph Henson on May 23, 2024, 2:07 am

1. According to Watchman Nee, what is the "serious trouble with many who are engaged in Christian work"?  How does this apply to you?

To paraphrase, the serious trouble for many Christians is that we may love SOME men (especially fellow Christians), but we do not love ALL men just as Christ did. This “serious trouble” applies very much to me as I even struggle with consistently loving even those I find easy to love. How much more is the struggle with those that are not lovable (explained further in my response to question # 3). Also, I have a flawed tendency to think that if I’m doing a service that benefits a collective group of people (just as I work for a development organization for the common good), this is my way of loving all in the group and I get to avoid or be exempted from having to encounter the individuals within the group. Hence, I would need a Savior to get me out of this “serious trouble” since loving all men will require His grace.

2. What is the question of great importance?  How would you rephrase that question and address it to yourself?

The question of great importance is “to what extent are you interested in Man?” If I was to rephrase it for myself, it can be “am I sufficiently reaching out, deepening the relationship, and working for the good of all the people I encounter and those the Lord calls me to encounter?” Again, my answer would be “not enough”. I do have a tendency to keep to myself and my comfortable relationships. I believe stretching myself to go beyond this comfort zone is a challenge the Lord is asking me to do.

3. Are there people (individuals or groups of people) whom you dislike or disdain or despise? or whom you are indifferent about (not in a negative sense, but just not in your area of interest or concern)?  What is this chapter saying about how God sees them, and how you should thus consider them?

Given my past, I am triggered by bullies, especially those who abuse their authority at the expense of the powerless. I have a tendency to be indifferent to those who are materially comfortable, since I cannot relate to them and feel that they do not “need” me as well (and there are a lot in community who fit this description). The chapter challenges me to rethink my attitude towards these groups of people and be more conscious about how I relate to them, and imitate Christ in loving them. I may need to pray more when I witness bully behavior to manage my emotions, and think of the best way to understand and/or correct (as this may be what’s best for them) instead of avoiding them. As for the materially comfortable, I may need to reframe my thinking of “social classes should flock together”. I think there is still value in serving in Tahanan Ng Panginoon given our common experiences. However, I should remember that I can be a good, loving and close brother to anyone regardless of social class.  

4. Watchman Nee refers to the parables in Luke 15, about forsaking all in order to seek the one lost sheep, the one lost coin, the one lost son.  What new mindset would you personally need to embrace in order to take on this leadership challenge by Watchman Nee?  How do you reconcile this with your current service role and calling in Ligaya?

This is indeed a challenge as I have a tendency to devote 80% of my MG service time to serve the active brothers in my MG since they may bear the most “fruit” while only devoting 20% of my service time to inactive or less active ones. Watchman Nee reminds me that I was once also a lost sheep that needed saving, but more importantly, God sees each man as important enough for Him to sacrifice Himself for that man’s salvation…and He is calling us to do the same. I need to take a mindset of “love” – willing the good of the other, wherein someone’s salvation is more important than my convenience. So if the Lord is calling me to help bring someone back to Him for his salvation and ultimate good (e.g. I have an inactive member who may have given up on God), I should be willing to die to my preferences and reach out to him, even if I do not see the immediate fruit. This way, I can grow to love man better.

Joseph, I think that you’ve understood and embraced the lessons from this chapter very well and accurately.  You have applied it to your own circumstance of service, which you admit is too focused on those falling under your designated service, or busily pursuing the greater purpose of your organization while ignoring the needs of specific individuals and many others not within the designated circle, and even disdaining those who are dissimilar to you in preference and lifestyle.   And now, you are exhorted by Watchman Nee to expand your tent pegs, to see people and individuals the ways Jesus sees them with love.  Praise God for this lesson!

In addition to the stories of the lost sheep, lost coin, etc., let me just add for your further reflection, Joseph, two more stories that may inspire you to have love for those outside your periphery.  One is the story when Jesus singled out and called Matthew – the detestable abusive tax collector whom everyone disdained -- down from the sycamore tree and fellowshipped with him and his barkada.  The second is the parable of the Good Samaritan – remembering that those men who passed by this mugging victim were not really bad men; they were too focused on their respective service ministries to attend to this man. 

Quote from Eddie on July 13, 2024, 6:47 pm

Quote from Von Cassanova on May 24, 2024, 9:52 am

According to Watchman Nee, what is the "serious trouble with many who are engaged in Christian work"? How does this apply to you?

This lack of love for man that Nee mentioned is true. In the country like us where majority of the people are baptized Christians. This lack of love for man is clearly seen in our society. We are one of the most corrupt country now in this part of the world  and many of the Christian workers chose to be silent. I am so happy that our community Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon had the courage to stand and speak for what is right last election. Mahirap ipikit ang mata sa pagdadasal sa Diyos kung nadidinig mo ang iyak ng mga tao na naghihirap at pinapatay.

As Christian worker, I am doing my best to open my heart to all people from all walks of life like St. Theresa of Calcutta.

What is the question of great importance? How would you rephrase that question and address it to yourself?

How do I serve and love my brethren the way the Lord loves mankind.

Are there people (individuals or groups of people) whom you dislike or disdain or despise? or whom you are indifferent about (not in a negative sense, but just not in your area of interest or concern)? What is this chapter saying about how God sees them, and how you should thus consider them?

It is normal in this world to encounter people who we are indifferent to, but the Lord is telling us to love unconditionally. We have to embrace and put into action the example Lord gave us. It is not easy but thru the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit we can overcome.

 

Watchman Nee refers to the parables in Luke 15, about forsaking all in order to seek the one lost sheep, the one lost coin, the one lost son. What new mindset would you personally need to embrace in order to take on this leadership challenge by Watchman Nee? How do you reconcile this with your current service role and calling in Ligaya?

As Pastoral leader it is always a big challenge to lead my men's group. They have different struggles in their Christian life and I need to be with them in this journey of faith. Mahalaga ang bawat isa. I need to be involved also with the spiritual life of my family especially my children. 

Praise God for your concern regarding the social ills of our country, which you are able to put into action, Von.  It is one concrete (although not the only means) way to put love for mankind in action.  Watchman Nee says we have to go beyond our circles of responsibility (for example those entrusted to us because of our leadership service in church or community), and expand our heart of love to all – and, you’re right, especially when we see so much injustice, poverty, prejudice, and so on, around us.

Of course the dilemma of many church leaders is that they are – understandably – busy and engaged in loving those in their church or joining their church.  Many of your fellow leaders in this study group actually express this concern.  I think – to be practical – we can’t possibly literally love ALL mankind with the same intensity and focus and action.  But we should have the heart of Jesus and be sensitive to opportunities to express love in concrete ways possible, even if it means praying for those people who are victims of these social problems, or who are engaged in solving these problem.  And of course, we need to – with love – also pray for those people who contribute to the problem.  Right?

Closer to home, yes, even within our assigned men’s group, we will have challenges in loving them unconditionally especially when they are unresponsive, uncooperative, indifferent, or even critical of the things we try to teach them.   Doon pa lang, sobrang busy na tayo; di ba?  Pano pa kaya kung isipin natin ang iba-ibang mga tao sa ating paligid. 

My only practical suggestion here is – we need to take concrete action regarding those that the Lord has entrusted to us; and we need to make ourselves open to the leadings of the Holy Spirit  so that we can take action when a situation presents itself to us.  Think of the parable of the Good Samaritan; the men who passed by that mugging victim were not bad people.  They were just too busy focusing and prioritizing their respective ministries.   Let us be sensitive to the leadings of the Lord, and be ready to act out of love the way Jesus taught in this lesson.

Quote from Eddie on July 13, 2024, 6:49 pm

Quote from Dom Hormigos on May 26, 2024, 7:41 am

 

1. "A serious trouble with many who are engaged in Christian work is their lack of love for man, their lack of esteem for man, their failure to realize the value of man in God’s sight". - I typically have the tendency to be subjective when choosing people to work to outside the community. In the community we see that everyone are given the chance to serve not based on ability but on the openness to serve. Thus we are taught to give everyone a chance. I too experienced this myself when I was given the chance to serve during my early years in the community.

2. Aren't you called to serve the Lord and all your fellows without your own personal biases?

3. Yes. I don't usually associate with people who have chosen to strongly stand in their political choice. Also to people who are close minded when it comes to believing in God. This chapter reminds me that everyone can be used by God even their current situation, political preference, and even their mindset. I am instead drawn to asking God for wisdom on how to still relate to them as fellow man. Man who God cares and love. 

4. If there's a will, there's a way. If Christ is the way, the truth and the life, then I ought to find the way to reach out to all man. No constraints and biases should hinder me from reaching out to all man. Even when evangelizing God's people and pastoring His men. This might take some time but with God's wisdom and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, nothing is impossible. 

 

 

I hear what you’re saying, Dom.  It’s hard to love the unlovable, right?  Especially when we are rejected, when we have totally different world views, and so on.  Let’s just remember that Jesus died for all – even those who put Him to death.  Let’s also remember that Jesus chose to fellowship with Matthew -- who was disdained and hated (because of his corrupt profession) by the general populace.  At any rate, whether responding to, or avoiding the unlikables, we need to always be motivated by love.  The passage in 1 Corinthians 13 about love has come into my attention during my recent readings; and indeed, unless our conversation, our action, even our avoidance of others is motivated by love – then we are nothing but a noisy gong; right? 

But in case you didn’t catch it, one of the lessons of Watchman Nee points out – and which a number of your brothers in this study group caught – was our tendency as leaders to limit our “love for man” within the confines of those people in our church whom we have been assigned to serve.  Of course, especially in the Ligaya context, this is literally a way of life; we have hardly no time and energy left to love anyone else; right?  And even when there is genuine love expressed in relating to those whom we serve, the Lord gives us a heart that can love ALL mankind.  Naturally, we don’t express it equally to all; only God has the capacity to do that.  But we cannot turn a blind eye to the plight of all mankind: poverty, injustice, tribal hatred, prejudice, destruction of environment, and so on.  At the very least, in love, we ought to pray: not only for the victims of these sinful acts of society and mankind, but also for those who try to put order, and even those who contribute to the problem.  Bring these into our prayer, and God will respond in a specific way to how He wants us to act out of love.  I have reminded many of the brothers in this study group to think about the Parable of the Good Samaritan.  Those men who passed by and ignored the plight of that mugging victim were not bad people; they were just too busy and too focused on their respective service ministries.  Touché!  Let us be sensitive to occasions of love outside our circles of service, and be ready to act as Jesus has taught in this lesson.

Quote from Eddie on July 13, 2024, 6:51 pm

Three things I can comment about your reflection, Gani.

First of all, ramdam na ramdam ko ang iyong mga daing, Gani.  But this is life, right?  There will always be people who will test our patience, who will contradict us, who will put us down, who will ignore us, who will even fight us.  Some of these people we can avoid altogether, right?  But did you ever wonder why God doesn’t do anything about it, and why God doesn’t just simply surround us with good, loving, cooperative, and warm friends and community?  Magandang pagnilayan yan, Gani.  The only thing I can say, at this point is that God has a purpose for everything, and every situation that He lets us go through.  And for this lesson of Watchman Nee – the challenge is how we should respond in love to ALL. 

Secondly, I don’t know if you were able to catch what Watchman Nee was saying about church leaders.  Actually, some of the brothers in the study group were able to appreciate this point:  As designated servant leaders, we have a tendency to limit our “love for man” within the confines of those people in our church whom we have been assigned to serve.  Right?  Of course, especially in the Ligaya context, this is literally a way of life; we have hardly no time and energy left to love anyone else; right?  And even when there is genuine love expressed in relating to those whom we serve, the Lord gives us a heart that can love ALL mankind.  Naturally, we don’t express it equally to all; only God has the capacity to do that.  But we cannot turn a blind eye to the plight of all mankind: poverty, injustice, tribal hatred, prejudice, destruction of environment, and so on.  At the very least, in love, we ought to pray: not only for the victims of these sinful acts of society and mankind, but also for those who try to put order, and even those who contribute to the problem.  Bring these into our prayer, and God will respond in a specific way to how He wants us to act out of love.  I have reminded many of the brothers in this study group to think about the Parable of the Good Samaritan.  Those men who passed by and ignored the plight of that mugging victim were not bad people; they were just too busy and too focused on their respective service ministries.  Touché! Let us be sensitive to the call to love outside our circles of service, and be ready to act as Jesus has taught in this parable.

Lastly, Gani, maybe you can spend some time reflecting on the passage in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, and see how this applies to any and all interactions that we have in our day to day lives – whether we are in traffic with motorcycles weaving around us; whether we are meeting with office colleagues who have big egos or who ignore us; or whether we wait in line ordering our Starbucks coffee.  Watchman says what Paul said to the Corinthians.  Every interaction with every human being in our day to day lives must be with the loving heart of Jesus. 

Quote from Eddie on July 13, 2024, 6:54 pm

Quote from Sherwin Lao on June 7, 2024, 10:41 pm

According to Watchman Nee, what is the "serious trouble with many who are engaged in Christian work"?  How does this apply to you?

• I think it is thinking highly of yourself and not loving the “man” we are to serve. Doing things to get the applause of man. Serving with wrong intentions.

What is the question of great importance?  How would you rephrase that question and address it to yourself?

• why are you doing what you are doing right now (ie. Serving)? Why are you here in Ligaya in the first place? 

Are there people (individuals or groups of people) whom you dislike or disdain or despise? or whom you are indifferent about (not in a negative sense, but just not in your area of interest or concern)?  What is this chapter saying about how God sees them, and how you should thus consider them?

• People who highly think of themselves better than others. People who think their power, influence, wealth, etc. can control everything and gives them the license to do things according to their own disposals.

Watchman Nee refers to the parables in Luke 15, about forsaking all in order to seek the one lost sheep, the one lost coin, the one lost son.  What new mindset would you personally need to embrace in order to take on this leadership challenge by Watchman Nee?  How do you reconcile this with your current service role and calling in Ligaya?

• Genuine humility and emptying myself and allowing the Lord to take control. Relying on His strength and not mine.

 

Simple lessons learned well, Sherwin.  Just some quick comments on three things:

First of all, when you point out that the serious trouble with those doing Christian work is selfish motivations.  This is so true.  And even when we do good and admirable Christian work (let’s say give a talk, lead worship, sing in the music ministry – whatever), after a while Satan will tempt us and bloat our egos and make us feel good about our service.  Then before we know it, we serve in order to get good feedback about ourselves; rather than to give God the glory, and to serve with love.

However, what Watchman Nee is trying to point out here is a more subtle danger.  Many church leaders (ourselves included) have a tendency to limit their “love for man” within the confines of those people in their church whom they have been assigned to serve.  Of course, especially in the Ligaya context, this is literally a way of life; we have hardly no time and energy left to love anyone else; right?  And even when there is genuine love expressed in relating to those whom we serve, the Lord gives us a heart that can love ALL mankind.  That’s the point of Watchman Nee.

Naturally, we don’t express it equally to all; only God has the capacity to do that.  But we cannot turn a blind eye to the plight of all mankind: poverty, injustice, tribal hatred, prejudice, destruction of environment, and so on.  At the very least, in love, we ought to pray: not only for the victims of these sinful acts of society and mankind, but also for those who try to put order, and even those who contribute to the problem.  Bring these into our prayer, and God will respond in a specific way to how He wants us to act out of love.  I have reminded many of the brothers in this study group to think about the Parable of the Good Samaritan.  Those men who passed by and ignored the plight of that mugging victim were not bad people; they were just too busy and too focused on their respective service ministries.  Touché!  Let us be sensitive to the opportunities to love outside our circles of service, and be ready to act as Jesus has taught in this parable.

Secondly, I’m curious about your pinpointing that “question of great importance”.  I hope and pray that you have an answer to that.  But if you’re struggling to discern an answer, let me know if you want to talk about this.  I’d be happy to make time for this. 😊

Thirdly, It’s hard to love the unlovable, right?  Especially when we are rejected, when we have totally different world views, and so on.  Let’s just remember that Jesus died for all – even those who put Him to death.  Let’s also remember that Jesus chose to fellowship with Matthew -- who was disdained and hated (because of his corrupt profession) by the general populace.  At any rate, whether responding to, or avoiding the unlikable, we need to always be motivated by love.  The passage in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 about love has come into my attention during my recent readings; and indeed, unless our conversation, our action, even our avoidance of others is motivated by love – then we are nothing but a noisy gong; right?    Watchman says what Paul said to the Corinthians.  Every interaction with every human being in our day to day lives must be with the loving heart of Jesus.

Quote from Eddie on July 13, 2024, 6:56 pm

Quote from Gary Mercado on June 9, 2024, 4:20 pm

1. According to Watchman Nee, what is the "serious trouble with many who are engaged in Christian work"?  How does this apply to you?
   One of the concerning issues that can beset the Christian worker is when he is more concerned about the work rather than the person who is the object of work. In as much as I strive to treat everyone equally, there are deeply ingrained biases and preferences that  unconsciously prevent unhampered relationships.
2. What is the question of great importance?  How would you rephrase that question and address it to yourself?                             The question and instruction would be, Do you love me? tend my sheep.
3. Are there people (individuals or groups of people) whom you dislike or disdain or despise? or whom you are indifferent about (not in a negative sense, but just not in your area of interest or concern)?  What is this chapter saying about how God sees them, and how you should thus consider them?
   There are a few people I dislike and would have difficulty relating with (not in community), but certainly no one I despise. I may be indifferent to some who understand things too differently from my view and more importantly express no intention for a middle ground. It is clear in the chapter, that God has expressed His  importance and value for each and every man regardless of everything that makes him. As I am important to Him, I should also put value to others. Difficult as it is, reaching for the one who is most distant and most pasaway is what to Him is necessary. You don’t know for certain that maybe in God’s eyes I may have been or still am the one distant and His most pasaway child, yet He still    continues to reach out.
4. Watchman Nee refers to the parables in Luke 15, about forsaking all in order to seek the one lost sheep, the one lost coin, the one lost son.  What new mindset would you personally need to embrace in order to take on this leadership challenge by Watchman Nee?  How do you reconcile this with your current service role and calling in Ligaya?               It seems that being in Ligaya service creates a bigger call to be a person who greatly values each and every one in the community. Maybe in light of this talk, it calls to remind me that at each opportunity that I encounter someone who may not be within my preferences for one reason or another, I should take a more conscious and deliberate move to approach that person with the loving  effort and understanding.

Gary, I like how you pointed out the tendency (I struggle with this myself) with being too focused on the work rather than the person who is the object of the work.  Especially for a professional like you, where you invested much time honing your skill at your work. 

But whether simply preparing to lead worship in the coming District Gathering, or preparing a teaching or preaching in a Pathways event, focusing too much on the work and being mindless about what is in the hearts and minds of our listeners, has so many collateral effects that can becomes the breeding ground of Satan’s orchard. 

I can only suggest that you further reflect on the main lesson behind 1 Cor 13:1-3.  Interestingly, the lesson from this passage popped up in my devotional the other day, and I said: spot on!!  And indeed, unless our conversation, our action, even our avoidance of others is motivated by love – then we are nothing but a noisy gong; right?    Watchman says what Paul said to the Corinthians.  Every interaction with every human being in our day to day lives must be with the loving heart of Jesus.  As the saying goes, people don’t care what you know until they know that you care.

Secondly, it’s hard to love the unlovable, right?  Especially when we are rejected, when we have totally different world views, and so on.  Let’s just remember that Jesus died for all – even those who put Him to death.  Let’s also remember that Jesus chose to fellowship with Matthew -- who was disdained and hated (because of his corrupt profession) by the general populace.  At any rate, whether responding to, or avoiding the unlikable, we need to always be motivated by love. 

Third and last point, Gary.  I don’t know if you also caught this, but what Watchman Nee is also trying to point out especially to church leaders is a more subtle danger when he emphasizes love for ALL mankind.  Many church leaders (ourselves included) have a tendency to limit their “love for man” within the confines of those people in their church whom they have been assigned to serve.  Of course, especially in the Ligaya context, this is literally a way of life; we have hardly no time and energy left to love anyone else; right?  And even when there is genuine love expressed in relating to those whom we serve, the Lord gives us a heart that can love ALL mankind.  That’s the point of Watchman Nee.

Naturally, we don’t express it equally to all; only God has the capacity to do that.  But we cannot turn a blind eye to the plight of all mankind: poverty, injustice, tribal hatred, prejudice, destruction of environment, and so on.  At the very least, in love, we ought to pray: not only for the victims of these sinful acts of society and mankind, but also for those who try to put order, and even those who contribute to the problem.  Bring these into our prayer, and God will respond in a specific way to how He wants us to act out of love.  I have reminded many of the brothers in this study group to think about the Parable of the Good Samaritan.  Those men who passed by and ignored the plight of that mugging victim were not bad people; they were just too busy and too focused on their respective service ministries.  Touché!  !  Let us be sensitive to the opportunities to love outside our circles of service, and be ready to act as Jesus has taught in this parable.

Quote from Eddie on July 13, 2024, 6:58 pm

Quote from Dennis Sulit on June 13, 2024, 2:02 am

1) According to Watchman Nee, the lack of love for man is the serious trouble with many who are engaged in Christian work.

In my role as a follower of Christ I can honestly say that I have been blessed and have felt the love of Christ especially in the context of community where we have a common understanding or way of life on how to love and serve God and one another.

But even with this covenant commitment that binds us together, much grace is needed to remain in love with our fellow BnS just in the mwg or district level. More so when we take on a leadership role senior leaders and become involved in sectoral or community wide activities.

It is only by His grace that I am able to remain in His love and in turn love my fellow brothers and sisters.

 

2) The question of great importance is if you are interested in MAN? For me this means do you love ALL MEN as you love your BnS in community? Do I live out our way of life outside of Ligaya - in my home, my work, my circles of influence, even to strangers?

This is a reminder and a challenge for me to remain a disciple on mission even if I step out of our mwg, community and outreach gatherings.

 

3) I do not have any particular person whom I dislike or despise and have developed a habit of praying for those who I perceive have committed heinous or despicable acts.

However, I do have tendency to be indifferent to some people who are challenging to deal with or whom I have strong difference of opinions with.

My indifference is a glaring sign of a lack of love and a clear need for more of God’s grace. I thank the Lord for bringing light to this dark area of my life and to continue to seek His grace and mercy to work on this matter.

 

4) The article reminds me that I too am a sinner with weakness and shortcomings but the Lord sees value in me and sought me out like the lost sheep and lost coin.

My mindset whenever I encounter difficult individuals or challenging situations is to remember that everyone precious is in God’s eyes and I should see their value as God sees them.

Jesus’s motive power was a passionate love for man. His boundless love allowed him to serve to even to death on the Cross.

If we are called to be servant leaders, we too are called to serve with same passionate love for all men, to bear this cross, to participate in Christ’s redemptive work.

God’s grace is sufficient and we should always pray that we remain in God’s grace to sustain us.

 

 

 

Amen to your reliance on God’s grace to work within you while you serve BnS in community with love, Dennis.  And praise God for your deep understanding of the sufficiency of God’s grace, and what it means to love and to serve, and where we ought to draw that ability and passion to love:  “apart from Me you can do nothing.”  Right?  And though I have little opportunity to watch you serve in action, I think your heart is in the right place. 

On this note, I’ve reminded a few of the brothers in this study group to reflect on 1 Cor 13:1-3, and how love for those whom we serve ought to motivate every single word we say or action that we take.  And this, Watchman Nee would like to point out, pertains even to those outside of our respective church service:  “ALL” mankind nga e, including of course, the unfortunate many who are unlikeable, and when we find ourselves acting in unChristlike disdain.  (Hehe, mea culpa.)

When he emphasizes love for ALL mankind, Watchman Nee is trying to point out especially to church leaders like ourselves of the subtle danger of our tendency to limit our “love for man” within the confines of those people in our church whom we have been assigned to serve.  Of course, especially in the Ligaya context, this is literally a way of life; we have hardly no time and energy left to love anyone else; right?  And even when there is genuine love expressed in relating to those whom we serve, the Lord gives us a heart that can love ALL mankind.  That’s the point of Watchman Nee.

Of course this is on top of the men and women in our work circles whom we are also supposed to love the way Jesus loves them.  We were busy doing this even long before we took on the mantle of “church service”, right?

At any rate, Watchman Nee says, love pa more.  Naturally, we don’t and can’t express love equally to all (mankind); only God has the capacity to do that.  But we cannot turn a blind eye to the plight that afflicts most of mankind: poverty, injustice, tribal hatred, prejudice, destruction of environment, and so on.  At the very least, in love, we ought to pray: not only for the victims of these sinful acts of society and mankind, but also for those who try to put order, and even those who contribute to the problem.  Bring these into our prayer, and God will respond in a specific way to how He wants us to act out of love. 

And then let’s not be so busy that we turn a blind eye to those specific circumstances which the Lord lays along our path where we ought to act out of sacrificial love.  I have reminded many of the brothers in this study group to think about the Parable of the Good Samaritan.  Those men who passed by and ignored the plight of that mugging victim were not bad people; they were just too busy and too focused on their respective service ministries.  Touché!  Let us be sensitive to the opportunities to love outside our circles of service, and be ready to act as Jesus has taught in this parable.