Heralds Digest

“For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect?...And why not say, “Let us do evil that good may come”?—as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭3:3, 8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/rom.3.3,8.nkjv   The funny side of life is that while many struggle with the clear evidences on the existence of God, the armful of those who claimed belief in God still struggle with the clear evidences on His expectations from man. The reality, that is difficult to explain away, is that man will forever struggle with his concerns about the right and wrong of the declared consequences of life’s actions, while God remains unchangeable in His ways and expectations from man, even when He is perceived to be silent. For example, “where is God’s judgment when righteousness suffers and unrighteousness prevails?”; “where is God’s judgment when the wickedness of the wicked is overwhelming ...

“For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭2:28-29‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/rom.2.28-29.nkjv   One of the backdrop of enforcing global lockdown is the similarity of compliance in human behaviour. Unless with pocket of violations triggered by hunger strike, it is worthy of note that sanity in human conduct is sincerely commendable with state policing and serious enforcement. However, everyone knows that outward-looking sanity in behaviour in times like this does not guarantee compliance in the absence of strict regulations and enforcement. In Paul’s concluding remark and an honest correction of the Jews’ status-sensitive senses, he drew their attention to their helplessness, when they refused to allow the influence of the Spirit of God. This is because...

“You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal?...For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” as it is written.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭ 2:21 , 24‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/rom.2.21,24.nkjv   The metrics of responsibility is great when measuring the performance of a leader. However, a wise leader must be able to balance the demand for self-searching and the responsibility attached to being status-sensitive. It is always easier for a leader to be fully engrossed with the responsibility of gleaning the pages of the scriptures for lessons to teach others, while blotting out the demand of heaven on self’s insensitivity to the word of God. Therefore, Paul asked the status-sensitive Jews a heart-provoking question “You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself?”. Sincerely, and without the spiritual and deliberate concern for the welfare of personal soul, every leader at ho...

“eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭2:7-8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/rom.2.7-8.nkjv There is a huge leap of faith between believers’ belief in the God of glory and their living for the glory of God. While the former promotes believers’ self-seeking sense, the latter embraces a glory-gaining gaze; and many are readily concerned about the risk of living by faith and not facts. Notwithstanding, we know that absolute faith in God requires the denying of self’s pleasures and affection in this world, in order to pursue the will and glory of God. In Paul’s exhortation to believers with active self-seeking senses, it is revealed that making excuses for their indulgence in unrighteousness and creating a smart system for self-justification cannot undermine the righteous judgment of God. Obviously, t...

“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.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭ 1:32 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/rom.1.32.nkjv   The conscious acknowledgment of the super advances in the activities of unrighteousness and evil practices in our world is difficult to deny. And the legitimate question for everyone with righteous disposition is “what can one do with the righteous judgment of God?”. Unfortunately, the process of engaging the righteous minds in the business of approving unrighteous practices do not always start with seeking believers’ opinion on the righteous judgment of God. The basic reality in life is that no one can consistently retain righteousness without courageously reproving unrighteousness in his world. When Paul said “...the gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation...”, he was equally concerned about the business of retaining the knowle...

“because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭ 1:21 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/rom.1.21.nkjv   There is no doubt that everyone is helpless and hopeless with faith that cannot be tagged with tangible manifestation. And while the blame game is on, believers’ taste of God’s faithfulness becomes easily distasteful and disappointing. Whereas, Paul, the Apostle of a free-flowing faith, here warns believers of the danger of a futile faith in God. Even in moments where human affections in life, family, career and ministry appears lockdown, our faith in God must not be restricted to a mere tasteful mode. Flowing and fruitful faith must embrace the full spectrum of the tasteful, thoughtful and thankful modes. Otherwise, the heart become susceptible to the corruption of the enemy of God. And whenever our faith is tempted to produce futile thoughts, divi...

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭1:16-17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/rom.1.16-17.nkjv Speaking of shame as regards the gospel of Christ, it is important to dwell within the context of hindrances and the absence of freedom for Paul to do whatever he wanted to do. And when believers suffer restrictions in the pursuit of righteousness, it is easier to query the efficacy of their faith in God. Whereas, faith that is capable of handling the good but not the ugly is not free flowing. Like changes from day to day and season to season are expected, the righteousness of God is revealed and retained in our lives and ministries when we allow the free-flowing of faith to faith. Therefore, the flowing faith freely enables a smooth transi...