Heralds Digest

  “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” I John‬ ‭1:8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ It is a known fact that the journey of ten thousand miles starts with a step. Even though salvation is not a journey but an instant experience of the work of grace, it starts with a transparent truth: the acknowledgment of sin. When the scriptures says that all have sinned and come short of God’s glory, only deceivers will insist on flagging their moral standards or religious achievements as evidence of uprightness. Sinners, not because they sinned; they sinned because they are sinners. Until the nature of sin is acknowledged, sinners can never appreciate the provision of a Saviour. The acknowledgment of human sinful nature is always the beginning of a glorious experience in every approach to the presence of God. Even when the righteous steps forward with other amazing benefits of the work of grace, the transparent truth remains the source of humility, strength and steadfastne...

  “Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;” ‭‭II Peter‬ ‭3:14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ All roads may lead to Rome, but it is certain that not all passages lead to paradise. Those who believe in the promised New Heaven and New Earth must be conscious of righteousness as the uncompromising requirement to getting to the city of God. Unfortunately, the present world is filled with contagious distractions, consistent provocation, and attractive indulgence in different forms of unrighteousness. While those who have not found grace are aliens to the paradise passage, the redeemed of the Lord still need consistent grace for steadfast focus on the passage. Therefore, we must retain focus on a daily basis by looking forward to heaven, despite unavoidable interactions with the elements on earth. Even when other co-pilgrims are distracted by provocation, diligent disciples must remain focussed on the paradise passage, by followi...

  “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” ‭‭II Peter‬ ‭3:8-9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Effective time management in our real world understands the difference between time-table and activity table. All activities are stamped within the constraint of human time space for proper monitoring of their reliability, relevance, and regeneration. While this approach is indispensable for time-constrained human beings, God’s promises and activities can never be constrained by time because (as the scriptures put it), time is not a resource in God’s economy. Unfortunately, scoffers are examples of time travellers in life, who deal with God in the same time space as human beings. Because our progress, economy, and relationships are constrained by tim...

  “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;” ‭‭II Peter‬ ‭1:10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ By recently reclaiming DAVID, i.e., daring ambassador virtuous in dominio n, as an excellent example of the combined thrust for call and election in the Old Testament, PETER equally stood out as a New Testament symbol for persevering example in trust and exceptional resilience . The disciple’s call invites all believers into the kingdom of light from the world of darkness and wickedness. But every disciple has a distinct and unique election into the service of faith; and must do well to refrain from unnecessary comparison in order to avoid stumbling. A call into an assignment in life can be general, how the executions of the assignment are worked out under the prevailing circumstances of life, representing a unique election. Therefore, it takes a diligent disciple to work out the details of his call and election on a daily...

  “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.” ‭‭I Peter‬ ‭4:16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Although suffering for sin is clearly a good service, suffering for righteousness is not necessarily a bad service, if self glory is not focussed. Temporarily, and in a world filled with wickedness and unrighteousness, the redeemed and righteous children of God are understandably aliens to its system of operations. Therefore, suffering for righteousness is the only way believers can be convinced they are still the ambassadors of the heavenly kingdom. It does implies that the services of their persecutors can be helpful, if graciously embraced for the glory of God. Sinners’ suffering is necessarily shameful; but saints' suffering is a proud expression of God’s grace. Therefore, if anyone suffers as a Compromiser, let him repent from his unrighteousness; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him glorify God for His righteousness.

  “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” ‭‭I Peter‬ ‭4:10-11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The difference between Human Resources and heavenly resources is simply a game of perception. Those who strongly believe their personal efforts are largely responsible for their achievements are reasonably obsessed with the concept of Human Resources. Whereas, those who believe that self, talent, treasure, and time represents an embodiment of God’s gifts will be comfortable with the concept of heavenly resources. “ As each one has received a gift… let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and ...

  “Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.” ‭‭I Peter‬ ‭3:11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Everyone knows that this world’s peace deals are simply political; there is always little or no sincerity in the pursuit of peace. Even in our homes, everyone wants peace as long as the other parties are able to convincingly demonstrate a commitment to his own peace standards. And in the diversity of peace standards, there cannot be any harmony of peace, tranquility, and understanding. Therefore, peace deals are completely antithetical to peace pursuit. In order to “ seek peace and pursue it ”, there must be a personal and unconditional commitment to “ turn away from evil and do good ”. Peace pursuit is synonymous to holy living, which draws from a personal relationship with God. Unfortunately, many insincere peace lovers would readily blame other people for a lack of peace; whereas, there cannot be true peace with people without a sincere peace with God. When we truly turn away...