Bishop’s Message
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In recent years, it seems that the institution of marriage and the concept of family have come under great pressure and scrutiny. In actual fact, it has been under attack since the beginning of time. When we look at the first family (Adam, Eve, Cain and Abel), we see so much dysfunction and brokenness.
If we look at the state of family today in Singapore, what do we see? We may see the positive outcomes of strong families, but more likely, most will see vicious cycles of pain and estrangement, misunderstanding and more.
Even after Section 377A of the penal code was repealed to decriminalise gay sex in November 2022, the Singapore government has repeatedly affirmed their stance on supporting “the family unit, the cornerstone and bedrock of Singapore society”.1 Fortunately, more than two years after the repeal, marriage in Singapore is still recognised to be between one man and one woman. This stance aligns with the belief that children are, ideally, a fruit of marriage and that they can grow best within the protection and stability that marriage gives.
All of us, whether by blood or bond, have some sort of family, and because mankind is fallen, the state of family reflects that brokenness and fallenness. The time to stand in the gap and intercede for families is always now. It can be argued that, more so than any other social issue, the issue and strength of families is transcendent. It affects any and all. The Church must face the reality that the family has been, and will continue to be, under attack.
When we look at God’s response to Cain’s act of murder (Genesis 4:15), we see a just God meting out punishment for sin, but we also see his mercy when he marked Cain to protect him from being killed by others, thereby allowing him the chance at a new life in a different place.
We need to continue to pray for the covering of the blood of the lamb and God’s mercy for families in Singapore. As with God and Cain, while we see the consequences of sin in the cycles of pain in our families, we can extend grace and mercy, and cling on to the hope of healing and reconciliation.
1 Yeo, M. (2024, May 25). Government policies will continue to strengthen role of families: PM Wong. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/government-policies-will-continue-to-strengthen-role-of-families-pm-wong
Bishop Philip Lim was elected Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore in 2024. He served as a missionary in Cambodia under the Methodist Missions Society (MMS) previously, and was Executive Director of MMS from 2012 to 2018.