Heralds Digest

  “Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭1:3-4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Right from the beginning of age, the entanglement into sin started with the appreciation of its appearance, followed by its appeal to human appetite, and sealed by the signature of doom. It took grace through sacrifice from God and our Lord Jesus Christ (for those who believe and accept the gracious provision) to break the signature of sin. And if Apostle Paul noted the appeal of evil in the prevailing age with the churches in Galatia during the early church, little wonder what faithful believers in this present age should be seeing. Unfortunately, the sin signature is becoming a notable force in the reorientation of our family tradition, service offerings during believers’ fellowship, and cultural changes in the society. When we make light or fail to se...

  “But “he who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.” ‭‭II Corinthians‬ ‭10:17-18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ In the pursuit of excellence and distinction in life, there is always a place for the promotion of self respect, commendation, and confidence. Either stylishly or overtly, people say ‘if you don’t know how to blow your trumpet, no one will blow it for you’ . But the scriptures say ‘he who glories, let him glory in the Lord ’. The question is ‘what is the limit of self glory, with reference to God’s commendation?’ . Apostle Paul apparently had the same challenge, in defence of his authority before those who treated him with disrespect. The bottom line is our carefulness to ensure we only aim at referencing what God has done through us. We should keep silence with everything outside this frame of reference. Invariably, the gracious glory is the believers’ reference only to the Lord’s manifestations in their lives and affair...

  “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” II Corinthians‬ ‭9:7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Philanthropy as an act of distributing gifts to fellow human is a classical example of human generosity. But most times, the motivation for this show of human generosity is driven by the protection of status, class, political interests, and business proposition. When Apostle Paul encouraged the brethren at Corinth to engage in a gracious generosity instead, he meant the act of giving on the basis of godly conviction about God’s graciousness and obedience to His commandments. When we give out gifts that we acquired, the act may be constrained by grudges or necessity. Whereas, when we give out what is acknowledged to be kept in our custody by God, it is done with cheerfulness and gratitude for being privileged. After all, God gives everything to believers in His grace, who need to be a blessing to people in their lives as well. Those who ...

  “But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also. I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others.” II Corinthians‬ ‭8:7-8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Common generosity represents the distribution of riches and wealth from the well-endowed to the less privileged. Philanthropists often need no faith to enjoy the dividends of sowing and reaping. Just like the law of gravity, reapers don’t lack the required seeds to abound in continuous sowing. Notwithstanding, there is a deeper level of generosity that is powered by the grace of God. It starts with the absolute submission of the hearts of the sowers to God. Thereafter, gracious generosity do not need the accumulation of material riches and the mundane wealth of this world to impact the lives of people. God is the Giver and the ultimate Provider of all the resources that the world needs; and He is able ...

  “For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” II Corinthians‬ ‭6:2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Salvation and deliverance from danger are synonymous to security intelligence and attentiveness. But with advances in technologies and complex development of diverse interests, human intelligence and confidence can be easily compromised. Whereas, those whose trust is sincerely built on the Lord have never been put to shame. For He says: “ In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you” . Unfortunately in times of difficulties and challenges, it is easy for the minds to attract attentiveness and promises from conflicting sources for assistance. And with this mixup and compromise, faith in God is weakened. But those who are always attentive to the silent calls of the Holy Spirit are quick to lift up their eyes upon the Holy Hill. Every time t...

  “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,” ‭‭II Corinthians‬ ‭4:17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Without the assurance of salvation, life is a game filled with uncertainty, anxiety and a total mess. With the ongoing global uncertainties and devastation across the regions, even those who apparently dwell safely have little or no confidence in their safe haven. But for those who have found grace, all things (including pains, challenges of life, and disappointment) represent an embodiment of a glory game. In a mere acknowledgment of the realities, Paul used the term light affliction for believers’ glory game. But more importantly here is the emphasis on its pleasantry… working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory . It was the same glory game that brought Joseph to the palace through the tunnel of the pit and prison. The enemy and all his cohorts of evil machineries may be busy with the cooking of a gory ga...

  “Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.” II Corinthians‬ ‭1:24‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The central message of the struggles in the support for gender equality, the fight against racial supremacy, and the advocacy against class oligarchy is simply emphasized in Paul’s statement to the Church. “ Not that we have dominion over your faith ” implies that leadership in the church or in the fellowship of God’s people is a service responsibility in line with spirit submission; and not spirit supremacy. Unfortunately, when Satan hijacked the struggle, it becomes a confrontation against leadership at home, the fellowship of God’s people, and the larger society. For example, feminism is no longer a struggle against inequality; it is a cardinal revolt against submission to the Spirit of God. Therefore, any believing party that is caught up in the struggle needs to learn how to avoid the strategic mixup. When all of God’s people with a like pr...