"But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." Philippians 3:7-8 ESV
Yung justification natin hindi nakasalalay sa sanctification natin. Pero yung sanctification natin nakasalalay sa justification natin. Magkaiba itong dalawa, pero hindi pwedeng paghiwalayin. Walang justified Christian na hindi being sanctified Christian. Kasi ‘yan ang layunin ng Diyos sa ginawa niyang pagliligtas sa atin at hindi mababali ang layuning iyan ng Diyos.
The gospel is all about Jesus. Si Jesus na namuhay sa mundong ito na isang single man, walang asawa, no sexual relationship, pero fully satisfied sa relasyon niya sa Diyos Ama. Single, pero the happiest man who walked on earth. Pero yung kanyang pagiging single was just part of the story. Dahil ngayon engaged siya to be married to a Bride, the Church, kabilang tayo dun.
Where is our assurance and hope anchored? Ang tema natin ngayon sa pagdiriwang ng ika-33 taon ng pagkakatatag ng Baliwag … More
Exodus 19:5-6, “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”
Heto ang una, at siyang pinakamahalaga sa sampung utos, “Huwag kang sasamba sa ibang diyos, maliban sa akin.” Makikita mong paulit-ulit ang ganyang utos all throughout the Old Testament. Para tayong mga batang ayaw makinig, ang hinang umintindi, at matigas ang ulo. Sa New Testament, valid pa rin ‘yang command na ‘yan. As long as God is God, that command remains in place. Walang amendment, walang charter change. “Mga anak, lumayo kayo sa mga diyus-diyosan” (1 Jn. 5:21). “Kaya nga, mga minamahal, huwag kayong sasamba sa mga diyus-diyosan” (1 Cor. 10:14).
Being passionate for the gospel doesn’t mean conflict-free. Nakita na natin ‘yan sa series sa 1 Peter. Pero doon, outside the church ang problema. Pero mas mahirap kung inside the church ang magiging problema. How have you responded sa panahon na may naging ka-conflict ka? Meron din bang bitterness, anger, defensiveness, self-justification? But how must we really respond? Paul’s exhortation sa Romans 15:1-7 about how the strong in faith should relate to those weak in faith will be especially helpful for us.
