NAVIGATING THROUGH A CHAOTIC WORLD
Yeow Chin Kiong
"Navigating through" a literal or symbolic path involves avoiding or overcoming obstacles while moving towards a destination or goal. Scripture uses the picture of a journey to describe human life as it makes its way through the world's chaos,- encountering the distractions of the "wide gates" and "broad ways" which cannot lead to life (Matthew 7:14),- until we arrive at the final destination of our faith, which is the salvation of our soul (1 Peter 1:9).
We need other than maps, compass and GPS to make it safely through the minefields and traps laid out along the way. Very early on our journey, we need to identify ourselves as participants in the quest by agreeing to abide by the rules of the journey. We will ultimately be judged by our obedience to the Divinely-revealed rules of the trial (Romans 2:1-11; 6:17-18), beginning with those rules relating to membership in the church (Acts 2:47; Ephesians 5:26-27). Then there are fundamental principles which are the basis of all other rules of thought, speech and conduct for the journey: firstly, all of our Lord's commandments must be obeyed (Matthew 7:21-27; Luke 6:46-49; John 14:15; 1 John 5:1-3); secondly, we must do all things in our Lord's Name (i.e. by His authority) (Colossians 3:17); thirdly, we must do all things for God's glory (1 Corinthians 10:31; Matthew 5:14-16); fourthly, in all that we do, we must not go beyond the written record of Divine revelation (1 Corinthians 4:6-7).
As it turns out, our journey is a race with many winners of the right to be called "good and faithful servant" (2 Timothy 4:8; Hebrews 12:1; Matthew 25:21, 23). These are our Lord's disciples who by their faith and works (James 2:14-26) have evidenced their triumph over the world's chaos.
An often-underused category of travelers' equipment are the Bible's many so-called "Catalogues of Virtues and Vices" which are Divinely-inspired lists of moral do's and don'ts for the faithful. Guides of this nature include Jesus' lists of beatitudes (Matthew 5:2-12 and Luke 6:20-23), His list of woes (Matthew 23:1-36 and Luke 6:24-26), the apostle Paul 's list of practices deserving death (Romans 1:28-32), Paul's list of love's manifestations (1 Corinthians 13:4-10), the apostle's list of works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21) and his list of elements of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), his qualifications of a bishop or elder (1 Timothy 3:1-7 ; Titus 1:6-9) and of a deacon (1 Timothy 3:8-13) and the apostle John's commendation and criticism
of seven churches (Revelation 2:1 to 3:22). These lists and others like them enumerate vices or evils to overcome, and virtues or good to cultivate, in our lives as we grow in faith amidst the world's chaos. The individual elements of virtues and vices constitute the works or deeds, respectively, of righteousness and unrighteousness upon which we will all be judged at the world's end.
A final thought on navigating through life. They say that a goal without a deadline is just a dream. Of course, nobody but our Father knows when He will send the Son a second time to our existence, heralding our final judgement, our world's end and the beginning of Heaven and Hell. However, Romans 13:11-14 remind us, "11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on thd armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts."
In truth, with God's revelation and providence, we can navigate safely and successfully through this chaotic world we find ourselves in.
[Join us during Year-end Seminar 2026, from 2.00 to 5.30 PM on Saturday 14 November at the assembly premises of the Klang church of Christ (11, Jalan Teluk Pulai, 41100 Klang), when this topic will be elaborated upon from God's word, along with another presentation, "How Does God View The World Today?" both with this year's seminar theme, "LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS: LIVING AS GOD'S PEOPLE AMID GLOBAL CRISIS"].