Romans 2: 1-3
Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?
In this culture of relativism, and no moral absolutes, it seems so easy to come down on people with “I’m better than you” mentality and point fingers so easily. Just check out the magazines when you are paying at the grocery store. One time people are being praised for their good things, the next day they are on tabloids being trampled down like total failures.
Yet, as Christians, we too often fall into this practice of letting others down as if we are at the pinnacle of holiness looking down on those who were trapped in unfortunate circumstances, or on brothers who fell down because of trials or even in sin. In our passage, Paul is reminding Jewish believers who were coming down on the Gentiles drowned in sin (chapter 1), not to be so self-righteous. For in doing so, they were assuming to themselves God’s duty of judging people unto condemnation. They have misunderstood why God is not punishing the Gentile sinners right on, because God is totally good, forbearing, and longsuffering! The goodness of God will lead people into repentance (verse 4). If God had waited for 120 years in the time of Noah before opening the “dams” of heaven to flood the earth, then God can wait even more to give chance for sinners to repent. For He does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather for them to come to repentance (Ezekiel 19:23).
“He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:45). Yes, God is totally just and righteous when He judges, and when that time comes – no one can complain “unfair”! For God judges “according to truth” (verse 2). When the Lord replays the tape of our life, then we will be dumbfounded and speechless.
Now, we dare not judge others into “condemnation” for we too are often guilty of such things (verse 1). We were commanded to love others – that includes rebuking, correcting, and restoring others - and not to judge them to condemnation, but to help bring them to repentance in Christ.
Living and Active
Friday, January 29, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
God Revealed in Creation
Romans 1:20 (NKJV)
"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse"
"For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountains of ignorance; he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries." - Robert Jastrow, director of NASA'S Goddard Institute for Space Studies
"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse"
"For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountains of ignorance; he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries." - Robert Jastrow, director of NASA'S Goddard Institute for Space Studies
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Obey authorities, obey God
Romans 13:2 (NIV)
Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
Why did God established authorities? In every country, every state, every government, every institution, to the basic institution of family, God had established authorities - whether it be good or bad. This may include police officers, teachers, lawyers, government officials, company officials, and parents (most especially – I think). Verse 1 states that "there is no authority except that which God has established". God is the author of justice, peace, and order. Because of sin, people are basically unlawful, disobedient, rebellious, and unruly.
Therefore, there is a need to counteract and put a balance in our society so that we can have a peaceful and orderly living. God knows best what is needed in our society. Those guys appointed to implement and maintain peace are actually there for our own good! (verse 4). Otherwise, we will be living in fear and lawless environment where anyone can do harm to others, much worse rampant killing and destruction. Even long before, Satan was campaigning for anarchy in societies and governments – which is contrary and opposed to God’s idea of law and order.
Authorities are God’s agents and “bearers of the sword” to execute judgment and punishment for wrongdoers and disobedient individuals (verse 4). In turn, they bear the burden of being responsible before God – who is the highest authority - whether they abused their positions or not. We are all bound to obey and respect authorities, both good or bad. We may not want the people in authorities, yet we give respect to their positions because the Lord had placed them there. More importantly, obedience must start in the home where kids need to obey and respect their parents, for when they grow old, they need to abide by other authorities above them and that will save them a lot of trouble. Also, it is tax season and we need to do our obligations before the government.
Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
Why did God established authorities? In every country, every state, every government, every institution, to the basic institution of family, God had established authorities - whether it be good or bad. This may include police officers, teachers, lawyers, government officials, company officials, and parents (most especially – I think). Verse 1 states that "there is no authority except that which God has established". God is the author of justice, peace, and order. Because of sin, people are basically unlawful, disobedient, rebellious, and unruly.
Therefore, there is a need to counteract and put a balance in our society so that we can have a peaceful and orderly living. God knows best what is needed in our society. Those guys appointed to implement and maintain peace are actually there for our own good! (verse 4). Otherwise, we will be living in fear and lawless environment where anyone can do harm to others, much worse rampant killing and destruction. Even long before, Satan was campaigning for anarchy in societies and governments – which is contrary and opposed to God’s idea of law and order.
Authorities are God’s agents and “bearers of the sword” to execute judgment and punishment for wrongdoers and disobedient individuals (verse 4). In turn, they bear the burden of being responsible before God – who is the highest authority - whether they abused their positions or not. We are all bound to obey and respect authorities, both good or bad. We may not want the people in authorities, yet we give respect to their positions because the Lord had placed them there. More importantly, obedience must start in the home where kids need to obey and respect their parents, for when they grow old, they need to abide by other authorities above them and that will save them a lot of trouble. Also, it is tax season and we need to do our obligations before the government.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Inventors of Evil Things
Romans 1:28-32 (NKJV)
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
From time to time I come across Romans 1 with the extensive list of sins committed by many people, and always wondered of that one sin mentioned in verse 30 “inventors of evil things” or in other translations “they invent new ways of sinning or doing evil”. That’s one hellish invention!
I believe the most common example of that sin – in massive scale – in our society today happens in most financial institutions such as in banking and investment institutions, insurance companies, public utility and service providers, and many other industries where massive financial transactions and decisions are made. A single tweak in one of the financial parameters can result into massive increase in profit. Fine prints in multiple-page agreements can contain traps and loopholes that can result in the eventual lose of money in unsuspecting investors or clients.
Many investment, financial, and service providers invent hooks and traps that can capture large number of clients and bound them with terms and conditions that can cost them hundreds of dollars if they want to leave or get away from contracts. Or, if they stay, they will eventually be in the losing end for unwanted modifications in contracts or hikes in fees – but always favoring the “big” companies.
And yet, people who do such things never have contentment even after amassing huge wealth, eventually resulting in creating even more divisive ways to rip-off and punish many people financially. Lately, financial and accounting scandals yielded Bernie Madoff’s ponzi (or pyramid) scheme, AIG investments, Enron scandal, Allen Stanford’s ponzi scheme, Satyam computers, and many other greedy scandals. I wonder what those guys are made of.
As Christians, we can always fall into such schemes and eventually get ripped-off or may had been ripped-off already, and even multiple times with multiple companies and providers. But take courage because we know we have a righteous and just God watching over us who does not sleep nor slumber (Psalm 121:3). The Lord knows everything and all evil things will eventually be punished. As of now, we can pray for wisdom so that we can be “wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16), and not be another victim of people who invent ways of doing evil.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
From time to time I come across Romans 1 with the extensive list of sins committed by many people, and always wondered of that one sin mentioned in verse 30 “inventors of evil things” or in other translations “they invent new ways of sinning or doing evil”. That’s one hellish invention!
I believe the most common example of that sin – in massive scale – in our society today happens in most financial institutions such as in banking and investment institutions, insurance companies, public utility and service providers, and many other industries where massive financial transactions and decisions are made. A single tweak in one of the financial parameters can result into massive increase in profit. Fine prints in multiple-page agreements can contain traps and loopholes that can result in the eventual lose of money in unsuspecting investors or clients.
Many investment, financial, and service providers invent hooks and traps that can capture large number of clients and bound them with terms and conditions that can cost them hundreds of dollars if they want to leave or get away from contracts. Or, if they stay, they will eventually be in the losing end for unwanted modifications in contracts or hikes in fees – but always favoring the “big” companies.
And yet, people who do such things never have contentment even after amassing huge wealth, eventually resulting in creating even more divisive ways to rip-off and punish many people financially. Lately, financial and accounting scandals yielded Bernie Madoff’s ponzi (or pyramid) scheme, AIG investments, Enron scandal, Allen Stanford’s ponzi scheme, Satyam computers, and many other greedy scandals. I wonder what those guys are made of.
As Christians, we can always fall into such schemes and eventually get ripped-off or may had been ripped-off already, and even multiple times with multiple companies and providers. But take courage because we know we have a righteous and just God watching over us who does not sleep nor slumber (Psalm 121:3). The Lord knows everything and all evil things will eventually be punished. As of now, we can pray for wisdom so that we can be “wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16), and not be another victim of people who invent ways of doing evil.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
God Is In Control
But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, he stayed where he was for the next two days. Finally, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.” (John 11:4-7 NLT)
Often times, our faith is challenged by unexpected circumstances that come along our way, especially the ones we call “unfortunate circumstances” like sickness, death of a loved one, bankruptcy, job loss, accidents, wayward kids, and many more. Unbelievers consider them as misfortunes, or in Tagalog “ka-malas-an”. But in the life of a Christian, there is nothing such as “malas”, for everything that happens in the life of the believer is governed by the Lord – who saved us, bought us with His blood, and called us His own.
We see in the passage that Lazarus, Martha, and Mary – who are beloved friends of Jesus, were not exempted in having sickness and even death (physical). We too are not exempted from trials, testing, and temptations no matter how mature we are in the Lord - for they are God’s instruments for molding us into the image of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord is preparing us for fellowship with Him for the next billion and gazillion years and into eternity. And He wants to take down all pride that hangs in our life, purifies us to be white as snow for He is holy, and shapes us into beings fit for heaven.
Things will come to pass, and God has the right timing for everything - which could be two days, two months, or two years. And if we abide despite all the trials, the Lord will lift us up and restore us back into joyous fellowship with Him, as He did with Lazarus. Lazarus may had been enjoying heaven for four days, but called back by the Lord to earth again! Nevertheless, it made no difference with Lazarus for he is in the presence of God all along.
All these (trials, testing, and temptations) must happen in the life of a believer – all for the glory of God.
Often times, our faith is challenged by unexpected circumstances that come along our way, especially the ones we call “unfortunate circumstances” like sickness, death of a loved one, bankruptcy, job loss, accidents, wayward kids, and many more. Unbelievers consider them as misfortunes, or in Tagalog “ka-malas-an”. But in the life of a Christian, there is nothing such as “malas”, for everything that happens in the life of the believer is governed by the Lord – who saved us, bought us with His blood, and called us His own.
We see in the passage that Lazarus, Martha, and Mary – who are beloved friends of Jesus, were not exempted in having sickness and even death (physical). We too are not exempted from trials, testing, and temptations no matter how mature we are in the Lord - for they are God’s instruments for molding us into the image of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord is preparing us for fellowship with Him for the next billion and gazillion years and into eternity. And He wants to take down all pride that hangs in our life, purifies us to be white as snow for He is holy, and shapes us into beings fit for heaven.
Things will come to pass, and God has the right timing for everything - which could be two days, two months, or two years. And if we abide despite all the trials, the Lord will lift us up and restore us back into joyous fellowship with Him, as He did with Lazarus. Lazarus may had been enjoying heaven for four days, but called back by the Lord to earth again! Nevertheless, it made no difference with Lazarus for he is in the presence of God all along.
All these (trials, testing, and temptations) must happen in the life of a believer – all for the glory of God.
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