Feeding the Soul: Condemned to death but glory in Christ - Romans 7-9 (Part 3)

For our last chapter for the session, Chapter 9, we may not fully understand God's choice but we trust that all these will reveal his glory.

In this last and final chapter, we see here God's incomprehensible yet all too sovereign choice. He chose Jacob, whose name means "deceiver" instead of Esau. He chose to harden Pharaoh's heart to make it difficult for the Israelites to leave Egypt.

¹⁷ For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth

 Leading us then sometimes to ponder on God's choices. Why Jacob not Esau? Why make it tough for the Israelites to be released from Pharaoh's cruelty? But then we are again faced with this...

20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’”^[h]21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?

All these things, God has created for a purpose. He raised up 12 tribes in the one who deceived, He raised up a King in a shepherd boy, He raised up a Savior in the one who was born in a manger.

These are the things that being limited as we are, we might not fully encompass and not fully grasp. But all these we should trust that it is so that we might believe, that our faith be strengthened, and that the glory of His name be justified.  It is not for us to judge who God calls or who God chooses, and believe me God has surprised me many times on those people he has used to remind me of Him and my mission to serve Him.

Just recently, a friend whom I never expected to speak about God surprised me by talking about Him with no apprehensions or any misgivings. I remember being very cautious in whom I share my faith with, particularly with her, since I know that not all are open about it. Some might be turned off or some might think I'm righteous and a hypocrite once sin gets the best of me. But here she was, doing what I was supposed to do - speaking boldly about Him without any fear of judgment,  and I felt even more ashamed when she asked on what religion I belonged to. Was I that not obvious on who was my God?  I was taken aback then 10,000 times.

But I know that through her, God has indeed spoken to me. God amazes me incredibly on whom He calls. I might feel the terrible unease of not reflecting Christ, I feel worse and sick to my gut, but I know that this is a wake up call for me to speak more about Him, embody Him and finally step up. I might not be a speaker or the best writer, or leader, or even a Christian there is. I might not even be the best person to testify about faith or about God because I am a sinner who tends to fall but with the Spirit residing in me and Christ in my heart I know that I can conquer all my shortcomings.

I am a child of God and I then take comfort in His word that I shall not fear, I shall not be ashamed, because I know that if I am for God, who can be against me indeed.

 

Feeding the Soul: Condemned to death but glory in Christ - Romans 7-9 (Part 2)

As we moved on to Chapter 8 we are given the promise of freedom from sin and death, suffering and life through Christ Jesus as we are God's adopted child.

In this chapter, 4 verses struck me.

(1)

⁵ Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

 It is so easy for us to act according to our nature, that is to heed to the call of being sinful. The simple act of judging others or saying one bad thing that would not only destroy the person but destroy your character as well. It is so easy to put one person down. This among many other things, is the constant  mind and deed of someone who lives according to the world, according to their sinful self. But if we are truly in the Spirit, then our minds are focused on what God desires.

This is not easy. WE WILL ALWAYS FALL. But take comfort that in our sincerest repentance, we are brought to the light once more.

 Before I act, I should STOP and THINK. Am I being my sinful self again? Is this what the Spirit desires of me? What would Christ have done in this moment?

(2)

 ¹⁷ Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

I am proud to be a child of God. But being a child of God does not just entail all the glory that goes with it. We all have to understand that as we share in Christ's glory, we also share in HIS sufferings. It is not an easy road for Christians. When attacked or when their faith is tested, some tend to get angry with God, or sulk or turn away from Him entirely.

As children of God, we have to face this: Persecution, Trials that will really test our faith, and Sufferings of many kind. But be comforted in God's promise that as children of God, though we may face these sufferings, there is glory - much greater, unimaginable and incomparable to the sufferings we are experiencing.

(3)

²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

(4)

 ³¹ What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

As we go through these sufferings, we also take pride in the fact that all good things come to those who love God. We may feel distressed at times with things that we don't understand, problems too big to even measure but we hold on to God's word that everything that happens is good, in the end it will be revealed as so.

As children of God, it also follows that as God is for us, who can be against us? Who am I to fear? Who am I to not take the challenges, sufferings and persecutions that might come my way? Who am I to lose faith that I cannot speak, or write, or work or lead all for God? When I know for a fact that God is with me all the way?

 I am deeply moved with how God has sacrificed His only son for us - imagine how much more God can give us all things? Imagine how much more strength, wisdom and knowledge He could give you and me all for our good and all for His greater glory?

God's love is indeed so great we become confident to take part in Christ's suffering and in the glory that is to come. Praise be to God forever and ever. Amen.

Feeding the Soul: Condemned to death but glory in Christ - Romans 7-9 (Part 1)

Last Wednesday was my first time to facilitate our Bible Study. Finally after almost 5 years of on and off BS (since the time of Ate Chen), Small Group both here in my church and with Achi Susanna and John, and then One on One with Son (praying for a consistent Wednesday session), it's probably about time that I take the reigns even if just for once.

In our BS we are already on Romans chapters 7-9.

In chapter 7 we are faced with the reality of sin.

In the first part of Chapter 7 it talks about the relation of law and sin.

⁹ Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died

If before we knew not of  sin, we were lawless and we were alive. We did things  freely without the burden of consequences and without the idea of condemnation. But since we were given the law, sin was realized and we have to face the fact that we are subjected to it over and over again. Even if  we already know about God's law, and even if we want to obey Him for always, we are in this endless struggle of battling with our sinful nature, our sinful bodies.

Was it better then that we knew not about it? Was it better then that we not be Christians?  But then you have to understand that we will die. We then succumb to misery since we are in a constant battle within ourselves. BUT all is not lost, though our bodies may die, we are given HOPE that through the grace of Jesus Christ -  our soul will live through HIM.

Tidbit of the Day: He himself will be with me... Deuteronomy 31:23

This morning as I walked towards my station, I saw my co-worker Brian hunched on his seat and fussing about. Curious as I was, I asked him what he was busy with. Then he showed me a little square box that contained paper pieces of inspiring Bible verses. I'm really not a fan of bible cutting and choosing verses randomly but for whatever reason, he offered me to pick one and I did. On the little brown and square paper I picked it said...

 

"Be brave and steadfast... I myself will be with you" - Deuteronomy 31:23

I asked him what it could possibly mean. He jokingly said that I'd probably know by lunch time.  OK then. But 12 Noon passed and nothing really came up. I looked up the full verse on the net and here is what it said.

 

"Then the LORD commissioned Joshua, son of Nun, and said to him, "Be brave and steadfast, for it is you who must bring the Israelites into the land which I promised them on oath. I myself will be with you." - Deuteronomy 31:23

This led me then to read the whole chapter that consisted of this Bible verse. To summarize chapter 31, Moses was already about to die and the Lord was giving out final orders. Due to a sin that Moses committed, he wouldn't be able to see the promised land. So the Lord commissioned Joshua, son of Nun to lead the Israelites into this place. Strength and courage was required for Joshua to be able to carry out this huge task and responsibility. But the Lord is true to His word. In this verse He assured Joshua that He himself will be with His loyal servant as they walk into the promised land.  

 

I suddenly remembered what I read last night in Hebrews 6:16-20 which reaffirms the certainty of God's promise. God's word is alive and active today and everything He says is true.

 

What I got from all these then is that when God tells us to do something that may seem too big for us to comprehend, or too big for us to accomplish on our own - something beyond our capabilities, we should remain strong and steadfast because God himself will be with us. There is no need to fear or worry that we may be too little, or too weak, or too unequipped because we desire to live God's will and nothing else should matter, He is true to His promise - He guarantees His presence and His strength most especially in our biggest weaknesses...

 

Now that I've thought about it, there are a lot of times that I know I should do what I have to but I don't have the courage to push through. But keeping this verse to heart, I know that I would be able to do things unimaginable, things that I know I myself could not do in a million years even if I wanted to. The Lord is great, His might incomprehensible, He is my fortress and He is true. God indeed finds ways how to communicate these with me - whether it be in random verses or whatnots - and for me to be able to share these with you.

 

So let us trust in and live faithfully to God's leading in our lives, let Him be your strength as He is mine. And know that He is ALWAYS with you.