Heralds Digest

“Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭4:4-5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/rom.4.4-5.nkjv   When Winston Churchill said that “the greatest price of greatness is responsibility”, his reference to works among humanity is that of duty. In spite of the corruption and possible misrepresentation in the interpretation of dignity, responsibility in service at home, fellowship and the society still stands out at the long run. However, with reference to Paul’s inspired exhortation, believers’ works are acknowledged as debt by those who would live daily for the righteousness of God. And since righteousness without responsibility is dead, the pursuit of freedom from the imposed debt often begins a life of grace and good relationship with God. In the context of works as duty, appreciation of human responsibility and sacrifices...

“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law...since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭ 3:28 , 30‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/rom.3.28,30.nkjv   One of the major challenges of the world’s justice system is the diversity in the interpretation of the laws. Besides the contention with restricted jurisdiction, human conscience is hardly nurtured by absolute truth. Here, Paul drew the attention of the brethren to the beauty of justification by faith, rather than through the restricted Jewish laws. In spite of the fact that the law is given by God, it cannot guarantees justification by faith and total freedom from sin. More importantly, faith is accessible to all (unrestricted jurisdiction), i.e., both Jews and gentiles can freely access God’s righteousness and justification by faith. However, freedom from the guilt of sin through faith comes with fellowship wit...

“even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭ 3:22-23 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/rom.3.22-23.nkjv   Apart from Adam and Eve, who experienced relationship with God before the fall of man, it is naturally difficult for all to understand the original status of man in the glory of God. Notwithstanding, we believe the scriptural testimony that falling short of the glory of God is the same thing as losing the righteousness of God. In pursuit of God’s glory (the righteousness of God), sinners simply need to believe in the finished work of grace through faith in Jesus Christ. And in the preservation of God’s glory, believers has nothing extra to add to their call to daily live by faith. Since righteousness based on man’s ability to keep the law is not sustainable, all of his brilliant manipulation and manifestation in life cannot prod...

“And the way of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭ 3:17-18 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/rom.3.17-18.nkjv   The pursuit of peace is common to man; but the path to true peace is usually strange. Why? Man is naturally insincere with his pursuit of God and the knowledge of His will. Little wonder the scriptures declare that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Unfortunately, it is impossible to fear God and the consequences of an absolute submission to His will at the same time. Therefore, man prefers the pursuit of peace, as long as it makes sense, and guarantees personal considerations in terms of safety, prosperity, promotion, preferences, even if it is contradictory to the revealed will of God. And the way [path] of peace is deliberately ignored. Whereas, the path of peace is simply the pursuit of peace with the fear of God alone; not the fear of the consequences of obeying His will.

“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...