Reflection on Romans (Blog Submission)

From Corinth to Rome was how far the letter had to travel before the listeners hear what God has to say through His servant Paul. The letter might be something that the listeners were expecting. It could also be a ‘surprised’ mail to them. I felt that this journey that I took in this course is somehow similar. Although the Word is near, yet it can be far if we are not attentive enough. Whenever we are expecting it or not, God can speak when we are captive listeners.

When Romans 1:1 was presented, the word ‘Bond-Servant’ which Paul used was being discussed.

It is interesting to note that the background and upbringing of Paul can influence him to use certain words or concepts. The discussion centered on whether Paul was using the word as a Greco-Roman or a Hebrew concept? Could Paul be using this word to imply that he had no status like the Greco-Roman slave or could he mean that he was in the exalted status of being the Servant of the Most High?

Reflection: Our upbringing, education, social system and belief system can affect our writings, our communications and our outworking in life. It makes clear to others in understanding our point of view. This becomes a reminder that I should try to communicate in a way understandable to others. The words in Ecclesiastes 12:9-11, of how the Preacher used choice words, inspired me to make every effort to be impactful and also understood.

Coincidentally on Friday homecell, we did a bible study from “Experiencing God”¹ on learning to be a servant of God. Blackaby presents that the idea of servanthood is not about getting orders and then go out and do them. Rather, we should relate to God, respond to Him, and adjust our lives to Him so that He can do whatever He wants to do through you.

Reflection: The impression of servanthood was presented twice in the week. While I do not agree with Blackaby that we do not get orders and then go out and do them, I totally agree that relationship is key in my service to God. In serving Him, my challenge is to be quick to listen and quick to response.

The day before the 2^nd week of class started, I was ministering to a church using Romans 8:28-39. This arrangement took place long before. Therefore I was again amazed by another ‘God-incidence’. I shared 3 points:

i) Consistency of life's challenges

ii) Consistency of God’s love

iii) Consistency of God’s plan to restore us in His image

Reflection: From the preparation, I am thankful that God loves me greatly. Life is always with challenges. However, as we love Him, God is on our side and He consistently loves us. His plan of conforming us to the image of His Son is to restore His image in man. God has not given up on us. We are valuable and loved by Him. This ‘God-incident’ of ministering Romans 8:28-39 in the midst of my Romans study is God’s way of saying to me: “I know what will happen and what is happening in all situations. Therefore, continue to trust and love Me”

The class enables me to check some teachings and ideas that are often presented in church. As I was going through this course, I did some reflections on past teachings given by either myself or others. Quite often, when a preacher ministered at a service and used some Greek word to share a point, we tend to agree with his interpretation without clarifying. One example is the word ‘huios’ in Romans 8:14. It is often presented that those who are led by the Spirit, they are the ‘mature’ sons of God. I went to do a study and found out that ‘huios’ does not mean in specific the mature sons of God. From the discussion in the class, I realized that this is common ‘mistake’ that we are exposed to.

Reflection:Although, the above example might be a slight error in interpretation, we may not know our next misinterpretation can cause serious implications to our lives and our audience’s life.Therefore I need to be like the Bereans (Acts 17:11) examining the Scriptures and also like the workman who accurately handles the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15).

As the letter of Romans is concluding and this blog reflection needs presentation, I must say that having a blog as a course requirement is a fresh experience for me. I find it useful because it helps to crystallize some of my thoughts into writings.

Reflection: When Paul wrote the letter, it lasted throughout the ages and it is still here for us to read and study. Likewise, the words and ideas recorded in the blog. This technology of the 21^st century is something that we need to make use of. It is because the words in the blog will last longer than what our audible voices can bring. When the words were forgotten, the writings are remains accessible.

_ _ _ _ _

¹Henry T.Blackaby and Claude V.King, Experiencing God, Nashville, Tennessee: Lifeway Press, 1993, pp16-17

Sermon on Romans 8:28-39

It is amazing to the 'God-incidence' that the Lord allowed.
About half a year ago, I agreed on a preaching engagement on this topic "Eternally Loved" and the text is taken from Romans 8:28-39.
It did not occurred to me that I was also in the midst of the course on the book of Romans.

As I reflect on the text of Romans and also confirming with various commentaries, I am amazed that God loves me so much. The reflection of Paul in v38-39 is the confidence that all believers should have and experienced.

Romans 8:28-39 (NASB95)
²⁸ And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
²⁹ For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;
³⁰ and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
³¹ What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
³² He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
³³ Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies;
³⁴ who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.
³⁵ Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
³⁶ Just as it is written, "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED."
³⁷ But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.
³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
³⁹ nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

What are some points that I have reflected?

1) The consistency of life's challenges: They are always there. However, as God's people, we have God on our side and that He works all things good for us who loves Him. We can have the intervention of God as people who has an on-going love for Him.

2) The consistency of God's love: God's love is not only an everlasting love to us but also a consistence love. It is shown in the example of the giving of His Son. However, we need to receive that love. It should not be a surprise that God's people can know His love and yet not experience or receive that love.

3) The consistency of God's plan to restore the image of God in man: Jesus Christ, the express image of God (Heb 1:2-3), came as the firstfruit. God's plan of conforming us to the image of the Son is a restoration of His image in man, which was tarnished in the Fall. What an amazing God we have! We are valuable and loved by Him.

03 March 2011 - Background for Communications

The book of Romans was written by the Apostle Paul.
It is interesting to take note of the background of Paul and how his upbringing and his make-up influence him to use certain terms/ words in the letter to the Romans.
On Tuesday, we discussed on the word "bond-servant" in Romans 1:1 (NASB95)
¹ Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God...
We were discussing whether Paul used the word as a Greco-roman concept or a Hebrew concept?
Paul, being influenced by the educational and social system, being raised up under one of the finest teacher of that time, Gamaliel, could used the word to imply that he has no status.
However, if Paul being a Jew and was by nature thinking like a Jew, he might be using "bond-servant" to indicate status. This is because in the Old Testament, the concept means that he is the Servant of the Most High.
We spend quite some time discussing about this because this will affect how we see the writings to the Romans.

Some of the things that I reflected on:
- Our background (upbringing, educational and social system, our belief system and so on) affects our writings, our communications and our outworking in life.
Yet God uses this background of ours to work in and through us.
However, in the process of our faith journey, we are also challenged to change some of our beliefs system so that we can offer our lives a living and pleasing sacrifice to God, a life of service to Him. (Romans 12:1-2)

- Our Background allows others to understand us
In a conversation, have you ever hear this being asked, "Where are you coming from?"
And after explaining yourself, your point becomes clearer.
After Tuesday discussion, it becomes a reminder that we should try to communicate in a way that others will be able to understand us.
The words in Ecclesiastes 12:9-11 (NASB95) came to mind: "⁹ In addition to being a wise man, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge; and he pondered, searched out and arranged many proverbs. ¹⁰ The Preacher sought to find delightful words and to write words of truth correctly. ¹¹ The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd. "
We should make every effort to be understood.