Summary of Romans Part #2

Romans 4

This chapter touches on the doctrine of justification. In Romans 4, Paul uses the example of Abraham. Abraham was bestowed as the spiritual and physical father of Israel. Surely, Abraham was considered one of the greatest men in the bible, being the one who received the covenant of descendents. Abraham was a righteous man. But this righteousness was credited to him by God because Abraham had faith in God.

Abraham was not saved by his own ability but as a gift from God. (Remember Eph 2:8,9) We must also be careful to not misunderstand and think that Abraham was saved solely because he believed in God. The bible never said that we are saved by faith. Rather, we are saved through faith. Faith is the channel by which God’s righteousness was given to us.

Since God does not count our sin against us because he has given us righteousness through faith, are we still holding it against ourselves? Are our bundles of sins too big for God’s forgiveness? We know from Psalm 32:1,2 that God has forgiven our sins. Our sins are covered by the blood of Jesus.

Circumcision is an external act, a ritual which Jews follow in obedience to God. Just as today, we baptise and partake in the Lord’s Supper. There are those who believe the ‘redeeming value’ of these rites and ceremonies. Some people question the purpose of rites if it does not buy God’s righteousness. If baptism does not redeem, then why baptise? Paul says that such sacraments serve as “a sign” and “a seal”. Baptism is a public act which openly displays a Christian’s belonging to Jesus. It is like a sign that points to the promise you have from God. A seal is used for authentication. Thus, baptism authenticates the Christian’s identity as a disciple of Christ.

The bible says that if a person is credited righteousness by law, then faith is worthless. The promise of our salvation is worthless. As we are sinners who break God’s law, we incur the wrath of God. We can try our utmost best in our own ability to be perfect but in doing so we render faith to be worthless. Grace is worthless and the law we try so hard to keep will bring God’s wrath right down on us.

Abraham’s faith had stood firmly in God despite contrary circumstances. (We can find an account of his faith in Hebrews 11). In verse 18, “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed”. Abraham was fully assured of God’s power to carry out whatever he promised. This is what true faith is, God-directed and not self-directed or circumstance-directed. God created the laws of nature and sciences and therefore has the power to alter anything for His purpose and glory.

A New Journey

I'm making the announcement here instead to see how many of my close mates read my blog. I've agreed to join De Vine Education Centre full time, to do marketing and teaching. 

De Vine is an Education Centre providing 2nd chance programmes to school dropouts, with an outreach purpose. In this education centre, students can retake their 'N' or 'O' Levels and then go on to take LCCI. De Vine is also affliated with Harvest Care Centre as both organisations are providing support to each other with funding from a church. So this is where I've committed myself to.

And this... is like a 'long survival' award. Well, more of an indication that we've journeyed the distance in love and unity.

I was really touched and impressed at this little gift. It contains sweets, our memory verses and a little letter for each of us.

Oh, and check this out www.storyofstuff.com

Summary of Romans Part #1

Romans 3:27-31

Faith as what most of us would define is placing hope in something unseen. Paul says that true faith is in God’s work of salvation offered to us through the death and resurrection of Christ. Faith is believing in Christ the saviour and that He will carry out what He had promised. Faith has 3 basic elements; knowledge, moving of the heart and trust and commitment. We first come to know about Jesus and his work. Then we make the choice of believing and allowing the gospel to touch us personally. Many in the world who know the gospel do not believe in it, or worse, think that they believe in it when it actually means nothing to them. When Christ has taken root in the heart, we make that commitment to him. This is where Luke 9:23 takes place. We yield to Christ and go beyond the line from belonging to ourselves to becoming Christ’s disciples.

In these 4 simple verses, Paul states that justification by faith strictly excludes boasting. Firstly, boasting comes from pride, and pride is the greatest of all sins. One example is the tax collector vs the Pharisee. The tax collector in humility confessed his sins and admitted that he needed mercy and salvation. The Pharisee on the other hand, went to God and said “God, I thank you that I am not like other men – robbers, evildoers, adulterers – or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.” (This account is found in Luke 18:11-12)

Does any of what the Pharisee said sound familiar? How many times have we boasted to God about a ministry we’re in, a talent we have, the number of verses we have memorised, the amount of good deeds we have done or even the number of people we brought to Christ? Worse, some of us might even be boasting about our secular qualification, our high-paying jobs, our accomplishments in school or in our career. Be warned because this is not just seeking the approval of man but demanding approval from God. The Pharisee thinks he is deserving because he is a ‘better’ person. But salvation comes from the grace of God and not from any accomplishment so that no one is superior over another.

Are we like the Pharisee or the tax collector? Are we proud or do we recognise our wretchedness in the eyes of God? (Remember Phil 2:3)

Since we are justified by faith, does it mean that the commands of God are invalidated? We all know the answer is a “no”. Faith does not nullify the law but faith upholds the law. This is further explained in the later chapters. The law is meant to keep us holy and protect us from evil. We are called to be holy, to be set apart for God and the law is God’s standard for holiness. It is however a standard we failed to meet and thus need salvation. Jesus met the demand by suffering the law’s penalty in our place. Jesus was an atonement or propitiation for sin, so that God demonstrates his justice and justifies those who have faith in Christ. As such we are given righteousness of Christ from God as those who are justified by grace through faith.

Christmas delight!

What nice sweets to add to the joy of Christmas!

The detail is so intricate that it pains to even bite into one.

These are really wicked-looking Christmas trees.

They look absolutely gorgeous and they make perfect Christmas gifts. I have just about one year to master this.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6-7

One of us is cryin’ as our hopes and dreams are led away in chains,
And we’re left all alone;
One of us is dyin’ as our love is slowly lowered in the grave,
Oh and we’re left all alone.
But for all of us who journey through the dark abyss of loneliness
There comes a great announcement - we are never alone -
For the maker of each heart that breaks, the giver of each breath we take
Has come to earth and given hope it’s birth.

And our God is with us, Emmanuel.
He’s come to save us, Emmanuel.
And we will never face life alone
Now that God has made Himself known,
As Father and Friend, with us through the end, Emmanuel.

He spoke with prophets’ voices and showed Himself in a cloud of fire,
But no one had seen His face;
Until the One Most Holy revealed to us His perfect heart’s desire,
And left His rightful place;
And in one glorious moment, all eternity was shaken,
As God broke through the darkness that had kept us apart.
And with love that conquers loneliness, and hope that fills all emptiness
He came to earth to show our worth.

And our God is with us, Emmanuel.
He’s come to save us, Emmanuel.
And we will never face life alone
Now that God has made Himself known,
As Father and Friend, with us through the end, Emmanuel.

So rejoice, oh rejoice, Emmanuel has come!

And our God is with us, Emmanuel.
He’s come to save us, Emmanuel.
And we will never face life alone
Now that God has made Himself known,
As Father and Friend, with us through the end, Emmanuel.
Our God is with us, Emmanuel!

Our God is with us, oh Emmanuel.
Our God is with us, Emmanuel...

Kaleo camp was over the last weekend. It was quite a blast really although I'm very tired from it and suffering withdrawal symptoms. There are too many good moments to mention. But my favourite part of it would be all the worship periods. It was particularly ministering.

It's really nice to see our youths leading. This camp has made me feel like it's time for us to step aside and let them make the important decisions. It's a joy and yet I'll miss the time when we were in charge. But all of us have to grow up don't we?

Some youths came to Christ! What a joy! It's like seeing all the work done for just this result.

Say to those who are fearful hearted
Do not be afraid
The Lord your God
Is strong with His mighty arms
When you call on His name
He will come and save

He will come and save you
He will come and save you
Say to the weary one
Your God will surely come
He will come and save you

He will come and save you
He will come and save you
Lift up your eyes to HIm
You will arise again
He will come and save you

Say to those who are broken hearted
Do not lose your faith
The Lord your God
Is strong with His loving arms
When you call on His name
He will come and save

He will come and save you
He will come and save you
Say to the weary one
Your God will surely come
He will come and save you

He will come and save you
He will come and save you
Lift up your eyes to HIm
You will arise again
He will come and save you

He is our refuge in the day of trouble
He is our shelter in the time of storm
He is our tower in the day of sorrow
Our fortress in the time of war

He will come and save you
He will come and save you
Say to the weary one
Your God will surely come
He will come and save you

He will come and save you
He will come and save you
Lift up your eyes to HIm
You will arise again
He will come and save you