[信函的中文翻译]
Dear Members and Friends of NCCS,
We have just begun 2026 and some of us have set certain goals we hope to achieve in this new year. Many have important dreams and desires to fulfil this year and before going further, may I suggest that we prepare ourselves with a life of Consecration.
After 40 years of living in the desert, the Israelites arrived at an important crossroads—the next phase of their lives—individually, as couples, as families, and as a nation. They came to the “customs checkpoint” that separated them between the Jordan River and the Promised Land.
The first thing their leader called them to do was to consecrate themselves. A life of consecration unto the Lord allowed the Israelites to be successful in all their endeavours in taking over the land: At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again”. So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites at Gibeath-haaraloth (Joshua 5:2–3).
It was a most dangerous thing to do when the enemy was right before them, for they could have been attacked. Yet, this act was an act of total dependence on God. Through circumcision, the new generation entered into a covenant with God—to be God’s people, set apart for Him, belonging to Him.
Consecration, in simple terms, means “set apart” or set aside—set apart for a purpose.
In fact, we practise the principle of “setting apart” in our lives all the time. Without setting things apart, our lives and everything in them become chaotic and unfruitful, and we may even hurt ourselves. Similarly, when a couple gets married, they must set themselves apart for each other in order to build a successful marriage and healthy family life.
God set apart His people as His very own—a new breed of humanity called God’s Kingdom people. Today, we become God’s children through baptism. We die to our old self, are buried with Christ, and are given a new life and a new identity. Following the act of consecration, the first major victory was given to them through the famous account of the fall of the walls of Jericho. The fortified walls collapsed after seven days of marching around them, followed by a mighty shout.
How about us today? A life of consecration unto the Lord is a life of obedience unto the Lord. We must pay serious attention to living a life of consecration (a life of obedience) before the Lord. If we do not set ourselves apart for Him, our enemy will always tell us that we can continue to worship and walk with God—but remain worldly.
Remember that Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron. “All right! Go ahead and offer sacrifices to your God,” he said. “But do it here in this land.” (Exodus 8:25). And note he also said
“All right, go ahead,” Pharaoh replied. “I will let you go into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the LORD your God. But don’t go too far away.” (Exodus 8:28)
The same voice speaks to us today:
- Don’t go too far. Stay moderate. Don’t go too deep in your walk with Jesus.
- Don’t be overly committed. Don’t rely too much on the Holy Spirit.
- Don’t even try or attempt to reach out to our loved ones or bring friends, because it costs time and money.
Yes, the Jordan River was “torn apart” when the priests stepped into the water. Without stepping into the water—without going all out and trusting Him—we may still remain at the Jordan. Some of us may still be in the desert at the Jordan because we have never stepped into the water—or crossed the Jordan River yet. Without consecration, we become spiritually stagnant. Without consecration, we cannot be effective vessels for God’s use. We become ineffective in living our Christian lives. Yes, God consecrates (sets apart) His leaders and His people for His work—to be His vessels for His mission, for a year of harvest, and to be God’s people.
May 2026 be an extraordinary year, as God uses us to be blessings to our families, friends, neighbours, and our community.
Yours in Christ,
Bishop Anthony Loh | Vice-President
National Council of Churches of Singapore
(L-R) Mr Kelvin Lee (SLH), Mr Eden Liew (NCCS), Rev Dr Ngoei Foong Nghian (NCCS), Mrs Mathews Thomas (St Thomas Orthodox Syrian Cathedral), Ms Lanny Widjaja (NCCS), Rev Mathews Thomas (St Thomas Orthodox Syrian Cathedral), Mr Chua Kok Wan (Prison Fellowship of Singapore), Bp Philip Lim (NCCS/Methodist Church in Singapore), Rev Vincent Morrison (King of Glory Church), A/Prof Tan Boon Yeow (SLH), Rev Samuel Morrison (King of Glory Church), Ms Jesslyn Ng (Koinonia Inclusion Network), Rev Dr Chiang Ming Shun (NCCS), Ms Cherie Ng (Koinonia Inclusion Network), Rev Martin Yee (Lutheran Church in Singapore), Rev Maria Tok (City Harvest Church), Ms Shalynn Siow (NCCS)
