Heralds Digest

“He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭ 4:20-21 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/rom.4.20-21.nkjv   The reality of faith is the fact that scriptural promises remain probable promises until something desperate is activated. It is always easier to claim the promises of Abraham, Hezekiah and Jabez, but not many people are willing to walk up to God for a persuasive promise. Probable promises represent every believers’ collectibles at the corridor of prayer; but Abraham was not really convinced by collectibles. He walked up to God and groaned in His presence, until he received a persuasive promise from the Lord. Challenges of life and difficulties relating to the performance of probable promises in life, family and ministry may endure for endless nights, until believers are ready to say “Enough is Enough”. Fortunately,...

“and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭ 4:12 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/rom.4.12.nkjv   Since the blessedness or privileges of Abraham’s relationship with God was accounted to him before circumcision, it shows that Abraham chose to be the father of circumcision on the basis of love. It is always wonderful for believers to reference their confidence in the promises from God as the basis for following. However, the challenge here is that faith built on the evidence of divine blessings will drawback in times of stagnancy or apparent drought. Whereas, true faith in God is built on transparent trust and pure love, even when all that life holds dear are temporarily withdrawn. And like Abraham and Ruth did, faithful followers are fully persuaded to follow their convictions about the beauty in God rather than the blessedness fr...

“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 ...