Day 45 - Chapter 16

Romans 16:19

Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. 

Apostle Paul roll called all his friends who have been with him in the ministry and commended them and he also wrote encouragements to the people of Rome.

The verse mentioned is not new to us (I even know a song about it specifically). In fact, this is the commonest and simplest principle in life that one can grasp whether a Christian or not. For us Christians, once we decided to follow Jesus, we promised Him that we would continuously work on our spiritual life so that our faith may increase. With faith comes good works, but I strongly believe that faith alone CAN NOT get a person to heaven. One has to acknowledge God's grace. 

Ephesians 2:8 says,

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

Romans 3:24 says, 

and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

God's grace is Jesus Christ, once an individual accepts Him as his Lord and Saviour, he is guaranteed residence in heaven. Meanwhile, as we live here on earth, good works become the product of our faith, therefore we do good to ourselves and to others. We know very well the difference between good and bad therefore we cling to what is pleasing to God and hate what gives delight to the enemy (Romans 12:9).

Just be reminded that at all times, we do good not to satisfy our ego but to give glory to the One who is merciful and gracious. 

As Zechariah 4:6 says, 

So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty.

*taken from my Facebook notes

Day 43 - Chapter 15

Romans 15:20

And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation. 

Apostle Paul and I share the same principle. When we know our purpose here on earth, we allow the Lord to take us to places where He can use us as fishers of men, salt and light, living witnesses of the faith, even if it means stepping out of our comfort zone. 

Paul never chose where he wanted to go. He followed God's leading and God led him to where the gospel was much needed. Hence he quoted Isaiah 52:15 (verse 21):-

“To whom He was not announced, they shall see; And those who have not heard shall understand.”

Britain is a hard soil. The people have hearts and minds that are futile, hostile and hardened. Britain will never be my comfort zone but I believe that God has put me here for a reason, and I do not want to miss this opportunity to fulfill that purpose and be used as a vessel for service to Him. 

If one is not convinced about this, may be we should look at some of the words spoken by Jesus Christ Himself:- 

Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance. (also Luke 5:31 or Matthew 9:11-13)

And in Luke 15:3-32 Jesus Christ narrates the parable of the lost sheep, lost coin and lost son.

Also in Matthew 9:37 and Luke 10:2 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few"

I can not imagine how much joy it will bring the Father if one soul is saved but think of a whole nation being converted to faith in Jesus Christ. As Luke 15:10 says, Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” we have an idea how it can please our God and we should strive to make it happen. 

Allow Him to use you to reach out to the lost!

*taken from my Facebook notes

Day 42 - Chapter 14

Romans 14:19

Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

Some Jew and Gentile Christians were still exposed to pagan beliefs during that time therefore apostle Paul regarded them as weak believers for they tend to judge their fellow brothers and sisters according to what they eat or drink. He said not to judge one another anymore, but rather resolve the matter and not put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way (verse 12).

In our daily lives today, it is so easy to judge our fellow believers in view of what we see as flaws. However, we know very well Luke 6:42 :-

Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye.

Jesus spoke in parables to convey the message to the people - not to judge and condemn but rather to forgive.

Have you ever experienced being strengthened by a brother or a sister in the faith? Do you remember how pleasant it felt? Well then, this is how edifying another is all about, as apostle Paul puts it. 

Be slow to judge others but quick to judge yourself!

*taken from my Facebook notes

Day 41 - Chapter 13

Romans 13:1

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 

In the UK, people can not cheat with regard to paying taxes as the government directly debits a certain amount just before an employee receives his salary. I am not sure about the policies in the Philippines because I have never really worked there before but if I am not mistaken, an employee pays it at his own discretion. So then, there is a greater possibility to miss payments deliberately. If this is the case then paying taxes can be a good example to test if a person abides by the country's legislations. As Christians, we are called to submit to the authorities' regulations as verses 1-7 state.

I remember when I was in third grade, my teacher chose me to represent my class in an impromptu speaking contest. We were given random questions about current events and issues happening in the Philippines that time. Now, I have no idea how I managed to get a silver medal but my question was - "What is your stand on capital punishment - death penalty?" Guess what my answer was? 

I was pro death penalty. I agreed to it 100% and I reasoned out with the saying "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth". Death for death. If a person is guilty of murder, his own life must be taken away to bring justice to the victim and the victim's loved ones as well. And I included in my speech that once a government passed an ordinance for capital punishment, all subordinates must adhere to it and then I referred to Romans 13:1 =)

We are not ignorant of the mess the world is in right now. There are emerging wars here and there and the leaders tend to become irresponsible, greedy and selfish causing the people to rebel against them. However, it still pays to comply with existing laws. Remember Romans 13:1 - all authorities are appointed by God. 

*taken from my Facebook notes

Day 40 - Chapter 12

Romans 12:6-8

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

We may all be familiar with this chapter. Chapter 12 highlights how a true Christian must live and every verse instructs us to live according to the will of God. Verses 1 and 2 summarise the whole chapter:- Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.

In the church, we see how apostle Paul pointed out (as per abovementioned verses) that each one has his own gift and an individual must use it accordingly for the furtherance of His glory. We can use an analogy to compare the church with a human body as in 1 Corinthians 12. Jesus Christ is the head as He is the Head of the Church and each one distributed as the eye or mouth or hand or foot working their own function, that is to say, one can preach, the other can teach or one can simply serve his fellow brothers and sisters. Whatever it is, the Lord does not favour one over the other.

As 1 Corinthians 12:22-25 says: 

On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.

What a great encouragement is this for us! Have you ever felt unimportant or small in an assembly before? Have you ever wished that you could preach or teach or lead praise and worship? Worry not for God has given you a gift that is different from any one else that is vital for the church just as essential as a preacher or a teacher or a worship leader.

Always remember that with God, there is no partiality.    

*taken from my Facebook notes

Day 39 - Chapter 11

Romans 11:33

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

Although most of the Jews rejected the faith, there were still some who believed and accepted thus pertaining to the so-called "remnant" in verse 5. Although, Israel has "stumbled" as per verse 11, God gave them leeways to reverse their disbelief and come back to Him in repentance. Then, speaking to the Gentiles, Paul explained why this was so - that the number of Gentile believers would reach its full number (verse 12, 25). 

Paul spoke in metaphors from verse 16 where:-

• the branches broken off signifies the fallen Israel. However, the "believing remnant" (J. McArthur) were preserved by God. 
• the wild olive tree are the Gentiles that were "grafted in" (verse 17) when the unproductive branches were cut off (again, Israel)
• the root and fatness symbolises God's blessings and thus made the Gentile Christians partakers of these favours as well. 
• the olive tree in its fullness refers to God's people - the sons of Abraham 

Nonetheless, Paul warned the Romans saying that they must be careful not to disobey for if God did not spare the natural branches he may not spare them either (verse 21) and if they fall away it may be difficult for them to be grafted back in as they were considered "wild" meaning, they were not part of the natural olive tree. 

Apostle Paul reiterated that out of Israel's disobedience came mercy for the Gentiles and the Jews themselves. The vastness of this principle is beyond man's own interpretation thus Romans 11:33. 

We may not understand the fullness of God's mysteries but because of His great love and mercy, we remain faithful. 

*taken from my Facebook notes

Day 38 - Chapter 10

Romans 10:17

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

As the latter chapters discuss about Israel, I have to keep reminding myself that Paul was writing to the people of Rome and not the Jews. 

Apostle Paul emphasised how Israel constantly rejected the gospel no matter how they were in dire need of it. Scriptures and/or prophecies from the old testament were quoted to confirm that although they were the chosen nation, they resisted the Son of God.    

In verses 14-15, Paul asked rhetorical questions to give the Jews the benefit of the doubt. He stated that in order to respond to God's calling, it is necessary..

1. to have a God-sent preacher
2. for the preacher to proclaim His message
3. for the people to HEAR the message
4. for the people to BELIEVE the message

Verse 17 summarises these four points. We Christians have long experienced these when we heard and accepted the gospel through His messenger/s and with this, we all became proclaimers ourselves - proclaimers of our faith in Jesus Christ. 

*taken from my Facebook notes