Ex audito | Hearing

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”– Romans 10:17

Photo by Pexels.com

The Gospel is actually a report. A vital report that everyone needs to hear. A report of the good news of Jesus Christ: His life, death, and resurrection, which offer salvation to those who believe in Him. However, in order to believe the report, one must receive the report. Faith comes by hearing. It is not a guarantee that the report will result in faith, as the apostle Paul explains in Romans 10:16: the Israelites did not believe the message of Isaiah. So people can refuse to believe the message of the Gospel. But by hearing, it also means something more. Hearing includes receiving and accepting the message. God’s message to us is through His Word (Scriptures) and through the Word (Jesus Christ). 

In Romans 10:13 we read: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” We must come to the Father by calling on the name of Jesus. As we read in John 14:6 "No one comes to the Father except through me". This means we must know and understand the name of our Lord Jesus. To call upon the name of our Lord Jesus means to believe in Him, to trust only in Him, and to accept Him completely as our Lord and Saviour. This means repenting from things that cannot save us. Trusting the only One who can. The sacrifice of Christ is sufficient. Let’s put all our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

People cannot call on Jesus unless they believe in Him. They cannot believe if they have not heard about Him. Romans 10:14: “and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” This means that someone told them or preached to them about our Lord. Why do we share our faith? Because our Lord Jesus commanded us to do so (Matthew 28:19): “Go and make disciples”. Let’s share our faith in Jesus because the apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of the preaching of the Gospel.

Let’s share the Gospel and make sure that people hear!

Reflection on Romans 10:10-21  by Hanne

(Listen to podcast here)

 

Near you

"The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart." - Romans 10:8

Photo from Pexels.com

The word is Jesus himself, the son of God whom we believe and trust as final destination of all the joys and sorrows of our lives in the world. The word of God is also mean every word of Jesus which becomes the guide for our path. When we leave our parents and relatives to go abroad or go somewhere to start our new life, usually there are advices, guidance from our parents and relatives that really cared for us. 

Jesus before leaving this world inherited His words which became the light for our steps. If we truly believe, take a little time to read, hear, reflect and especially carry out His word in our daily life. If we are doers of the word, we will be known as children of God because what we do is not far from the advice of Jesus which is poured out in the word.

The noise of the modern world often takes us far from the word of God. We are often drowned in the hustle and bustle of cyberspace, the world of social media that often teaches us to distance ourselves from those closest to us and to be close to those who are far away. God does not want us to close our hearts, eyes and ears to His word. If we want to be saved, set aside a little time to have a heart-to-heart talk with God through His word. Born as Christians, since childhood we have been equipped with good teachings inherited from our ancestors, namely teachings that are sourced from the word of God Himself in the Bible. 

May we always be aware that in the depths of our hearts, Jesus wants to dwell but we never realize it because we are too busy with worldly affairs, too busy scrolling internet, almost have no time for God and His word. As good Christians, may we often become doers of the word.

Reflection on Romans 10:1-10 by Sr Yanti Purnawati SFSC

We know

"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" - Romans 8:28

Photo by Pexels.com

As people who believes in God through Jesus Christ, who died and redeemed the sins of mankind. We are not exempt from various problems and challenges in our lives, which can lead to worry. However, we find reassurance in the Word of God found in Romans 8:28: "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."

Everything refers to all the events or circumstances that occur in our lives. Our part is to trust that God will always be there to help and support us. AMEN

Reflection on Romans 8: 28 - 39 by Florence

Nihil damnationis | No condemnation

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..." -Romans 8:1

Photo by Pexels.com

Often times we overthink about our past. Even the Christians who already believe in Christ as their Savior still worry about the sins and mistakes they made a long time ago.

Today's passage is a true relief for us all. Verse 1 and 2 of the scripture say, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death." 

We are free from the heaviness of the law and death in sin! The NLT version of verse 3 explains it so well: "The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins." 

Now who are those who have the privilege to have this freedom from the wrath of God because their sin? The ones who have Christ in them. We must make sure that the Spirit of God, that means the Spirit of Christ lives inside us. Otherwise we do not belong to Christ (v.9). Those who believe Jesus Christ and accept Him as their personal Savior, will have the Holy Spirit inside them.  Ephesians 1:13 says, "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit..."

When we are in Christ we live in the realm of the Spirit not in the realm of the flesh. We no longer like sin and its offerings because the Spirit of Christ lives in us (v.5). A fake Christian will live more in the flesh thinking that Christ has given the salvation so it is fine to keep sinning. Verse 13 says, "For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live."

Moreover in the last part of this passage, there is something Paul wrote about sharing the glory in Him.  He said that we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ (as the children of God), if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory (v.17). Living in Christ means there is a possibility that we may suffer in our decision making that is against the world, that we may experience the rejection even persecution from people who do not want to hear Christ and his work, etc. Philippians 1:29 says, "For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him..." God gives us strength to live through it.

That is why when we come to Christ, we need to come with our heart. Not with a hidden agenda just to have the reward - the eternal life in the heavenly kingdom. We need to understand and appreciate Christ's sacrifice for us. And looking to our own lives including our past, are we really grateful to have the salvation in Him? For the true believers, it changes their entire lives. They are even willing to suffer together with Him. God promised the glory in Christ to be shared for these people as written in verse 17. May God help us all. Amen.

Reflection on Romans 8:1-17 by Desire Litaay.

(Listen to podcast here)

Serviamus in novitate | Serve in the new way

"But now we serve in the new way of the Spirit" (Romans 7:6).

 

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

In the heart of Paul's letter to the Romans, we find this beautiful verse that captures the essence of our Christian journey. "We serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code."

St. Augustine reflected on his own experience and wrote in his Confessions: "For the law commands what cannot be fulfilled; grace gives what is commanded." How many of us have felt this tension? We know what is right, yet find ourselves unable to do it consistently.

Paul tells us we have been "released from the law". This is the mystery of our baptism, where we were united with Christ in His death. As we read in Romans 6:4: "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."

What does it mean to "serve in the new way of the Spirit"?

First, it means our relationship with God is no longer based on fear but on love. "There is no fear in love," says 1 John 4:18, "but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment."

Second, it means the Holy Spirit empowers us. As Ezekiel prophesied: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws" (Ezekiel 36:26-27).

Third, it means our service flows from gratitude rather than obligation. St. Basil the Great wrote, "When someone has been counted worthy to receive the Holy Spirit, he obtains as a result a wealth of incredible treasures."

Accordingly, when we face temptation and struggle with sin, we should turn to the Spirit who helps us in our weakness and intercedes for us (Romans 8:26).

Brothers and sisters, let us examine ourselves if we embraced the new way of the Spirit?

The great news is that this new way is available to all who trust in Christ.

Let us pray that the Holy Spirit would continue to lead us in this new way, transforming us, so that our service might flow from love, joy, and gratitude. And may our lives be a testimony to the freedom and power of serving in the new way of the Spirit.

Bible reflection on Romans 7: 1-13 by Fr. Jozef Trzebuniak SVD

(Listen to podcast here) 

I do

For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me - Romans 7:19-20

Photo by Pexels.com

The Inner Conflict

14 For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am of the flesh, sold into slavery under sin. 15 I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. 17 But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me.21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, 23 but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!So then, with my mind I am a slave to the law of God, but with my flesh I am a slave to the law of sin.

Reflecting on my own roller-coaster journey with the LORD, I empathize with what St. Paul wrote in Rom 7:19-20: For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. 

Here was the wretched confession of a man who called himself a Pharisee of Pharisees, when he was testifying in front of the Sanhedrin (in Acts 23:6). A Pharisee was someone who studied God's Laws and practiced them judiciously. Yet, when the Holy Spirit confronted his sinful nature during his third missionary journey, when he was in Corinth as he authored the Book of Romans, he realized the wretchedness of his human condition. No amount of personal discipline or adherence to strict Pharisee laws could free him from that sinful nature.

I identify with what St. Paul wrote because the 4th Commandment was to honor my parents. In this I've failed miserably each time I blew my top at my elderly mom over something she said or did. I would feel miserable towards myself afterwards. Following which I would apologize to her, in which she neither scolded nor retaliated with a harsh reply, but gently reminded me not to do it again, which only made me feel worse than before. It's the same with another habitual sin that hounded me from my youth. I've failed countless times using my own willpower to overcome it and could only sustain it for a period of time, after which I would over-indulge in it again and felt miserable once more. Both behaviors had driven me into the deep dark pit of clinical depression, until one day, the infinitely loving light of Christ shone into my sin-darkened heart which no one except God and my counsellors knew. 

Finally, I felt the real power as a child of God that comes from Him alone. I can never be an overcomer unless I've learned to rest and surrender all of my sinful inclinations at the foot of Jesus' Cross and allow His Love to permeate my sin-stained heart. That was why St. Paul could write these beautiful Spirit-infused lines in Galatians 2:20, after his encounter with the Risen LORD on the road to Damascus:  “and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Truly, it was the Amazing Grace of Christ living in me, a sinful man, that had set my heart free. 

I will close my short reflection with this beautiful freedom song penned by Chris Tomlin & Louis Giglio

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

Verse 1

Amazing grace

How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost, but now I'm found

Was blind, but now I see

Verse 2

Twas grace that taught my heart to fear

And grace my fears relieved

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed

Chorus

My chains are gone

I've been set free

My God, my Savior has ransomed me

And like a flood His mercy reigns

Unending love, amazing grace  

Youtube: https://youtu.be/Y-4NFvI5U9w?si=NAmGXmfeR-HX1I29

Refrain © 2006 worshiptogether.com Songs/sixteps Music (ASCAP), Vamos Publishing (ASCAP), admin at EMICMG Publishing.dom

Composed by: John Newton, Chris Tomlin & Louie Giglio

CCLI & Easy Song ID. #4768151, #78065

Reflection on Romans 7:14-25 by Chris Tan

Liberati a peccato | Freed from sin

"But now that you have been freed from sin and enslaved to God, the advantage you get is sanctification. The end is eternal life." – Romans 6:22

Photo by Pexels.com

Dear friends in Christ Jesus. It is Jesus who set us free from the sins by his passion and death on the cross. Let us thank Jesus for this free gift of eternal life. Through our baptism we are under the grace of God which will help us to sanctify ourselves and enter into eternal life. Everything is a free gift from God because he loves us from the very beginning. As children of God we have total freedom either to love him and obey him at the same time not to obey him.  What do we choose sin or righteousness?

The obedience which comes from the heart out of love in total freedom will lead us to eternal life. St. Paul is reminding us that "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Therefore we can't present ourselves no longer to wickedness but need to present ourselves as instruments of righteousness.

Dear friends, let us not worry about the past life so much. We are set free from sin and sin has no dominion over us. We are under the grace of God which is stronger than our sins and guilt feelings. Let us hold on to Christ and his teachings. Let us learn to obey him from the heart out of love in total freedom like children. Let us live in hope and not in despair.

Bible reflection on Romans 6: 12-23 by Fr. George Joseph SVD

(Listen to podcast here)

Dead to sin but alive in Christ

"count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus" - Romans 6:11

Photo by Pexels.com

Dead to Sin, alive in Christ

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. 11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Reflecting on my own Christian journey, as a former staunch Buddhist who hated the guts of Bible-toting Christians who knocked on my door to condemn me and my whole household to Hell, when I opened the door to see who was knocking vigorously on my door. I hated the condemning look in their unloving eyes when they saw the statues of idols in my living hall. And invariably shouted back at them to crawl back into Hell where they came from. If they still refused to budge from my doorway, I would tell my family to bring a broom to sweep these agents of Hell away from my doorsteps.

It was an entirely unique experience when the Holy Spirit impressed upon a long-lost acquaintance to call me when she saw me exercising in the courtyard of my public housing estate. I was in tears when we met in the garden where I was walking and explained that I was just discharged from the hospital after an acute right-brain stroke and was retraining my left leg to walk again. I also shared that my marriage was breaking apart and on the verge of a divorce. Now she started tearing up because she knew both me and my ex-wife, as we were in the same university together. Through her tears, she explained that she found peace in a guy called Jesus, after she invited Him into her life. She asked if I wanted to receive that gift too. I nodded my head as there were so many storms in my life then, that peace was the very thing I was seeking and nodded my head to signal yes, I desired that peace. I said the sinners' prayer by repeating after her. 

My marriage eventually broke apart and I was angry with God for not saving my broken marriage and threatened to leave Him too. But God the Father was ever patient and allowed me to leave His side, while He stood like the Prodigal Father, looking into the distance for the silhouette of His prodigal son, i.e. me.

Fast forward, three years after my conversion experience, I joined my uncle and his family to worship in a loving Christian community. I was moved by the Holy Spirit to sign-up for Baptism. As our church was undergoing renovations, we rented an office space and even rented a plastic tub for baptism services. I recall the peals of laughter when a youth who was about to be dunked into the plastic tub, remarked: " the tub looks just like a tomb, which means I'm going to die with Jesus".

I truly believe that it was the same Holy Spirit Who inspired St Paul to pen these words in Romans 6:4 and 11: 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.  11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 

I will close my short sharing, with this declaration by St. Paul in Romans 6 verse 6: For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.

The following beautiful hymn has so often brought a tear of gratitude to my eyes, whenever I ponder on God's Love through His Son, that I'm truly home with the Father in Heaven as His beloved child.

 

Father I Have Sinned

Verse 1 

Father I have sinned, 

help me find my way. 

Remember not my sins, 

Just let me hear you say: 

 

Chorus 

I forgive you, I love you 

You are mine, take my hand. 

Go in peace, sin no more, 

Beloved one. 

 

Verse 2 

Father I have turned, 

my back and walked away 

Depended on my strength 

and lived life my own way 

(Repeat Chorus)

 

Verse 3 

Father I have closed, 

My heart to those in need. 

Thought only of myself, 

A victim of my greed. 

(Repeat Chorus)

 

Verse 4 

Father I have loved, 

If love's the word to use. 

I've played so many games,

They've left me so confused 

(Repeat Chorus) 

 

Ending 

Father I've returned, 

I'm home with you to stay. 

Standing at your door, 

knowing that you'll say

(Repeat Chorus)

 

Youtube: https://youtu.be/5AM0N9VS9JI?si=MXw1H4gcYLt2TCPj 

Words & Music by Eugene O'Reilly 

© 2001 CJM Music (UK & Irelan) 

CCLI & OneLicense No. #646803

 

Reflection on Romans 6:1-11 by Chris Tan