This increase cut across most types of educational qualifications as well as all age groups, and was more prevalent among younger and Chinese residents, according to the latest population census released on Wednesday (June 16). The proportion of those with no religious affiliation rose by three percentage points to 20 per cent in 2020. Chinese residents had a significantly larger proportion who identified as such (25.7 per cent) than Malays (0.4 per cent) and Indians (2.2 per cent). Among Singapore residents aged 15 years and above in 2020, 31.1 per cent identified themselves as Buddhists, 8.8 per cent as Taoists, 18.9 per cent as Christians, 15.6 per cent as Muslims and 5 per cent as Hindus.”
According to the latest population census, more Singaporeans have no religious affiliation and 18.9% of the population are Christians. In other words, for every ten people you meet, eight are non-Christians, be it your neighbours, colleagues, schoolmates, friends or relatives.
When we look at the stark statistics of how few Christians there are in Singapore, we can echo with this our Lord Jesus Christ when he says in John 4:35 “Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” Yes, indeed the harvest field in Singapore is ripe to harvest. There is an urgent need for us to go and preach the gospel in our country.
One thing all of us could do is to pray. Pray that God will send labourers to the harvest fields. Matthew 9:38 says, “Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Second, pray for yourself. Pray that you too can be that labourer whom our Lord will send to the harvest field.
Pray that you will have the same compassion as our Lord when he saw the multitudes who are lost in Matthew 9:36: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
May the love of Jesus Christ our Lord move us so that we too can go and preach the gospel to the lost.
Third, preaching the gospel is not an option; rather it is our Lord’s command. Matthew 28:19-20: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
This is our Lord’s command for us, who are His redeemed, to go and make disciples of all nations. We who are His redeemed, saved by Jesus Christ from God’s judgment, are obligated and commanded to go and make disciples of all nations. Jesus has given the authority for us to go and He promised to be with us always till the very end of the age. Let us heed our Lord’s command to go and preach the gospel.
Our church has lined up many opportunities to do gospel work. We will have a gospel meet about once a quarter. The choir will sing for us. People will share personal testimonies. It will be a concerted church effort to do gospel work. Seize this opportunity to pray and invite your family, relatives, friends, colleagues and classmates to these gospel outreach programs.
For better success in bringing your loved ones to the gospel meet, first build the relationship by inviting them for meals at home. Lend a helping hand in times of their need. Make time and effort to stay connected. Above all, pray that God will have mercy and work in their heart to be open to the gospel.
There is no greater work than gospel work. Our soul is of infinite value. Matthew 16:26 says, “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?”
May we look forward to the exciting opportunities and do the greatest work of gospel work. May we go and preach the gospel!