Emulate the Lord's Patience

I was mercifully treated, so that in me, as the foremost, 

Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example 

for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life. 

1 TIMOTHY 1 : 16

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these I am the foremost (1 Tim 1:15). 

Jesus said, “What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance." (Lk 15:4-7)

You are a minister in accordance with God’s stewardship given to you to bring to completion for others the word of God (Col 1:25). God chose to make known the riches of the glory of this mystery; it is Christ in you, the hope for glory (Col 1:27). It is He whom you proclaim, admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that you may present everyone perfect in Christ (Col 1:28).

I am grateful to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because He considered me trustworthy in appointing me to the ministry. I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and arrogant, but I have been mercifully treated because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief. Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus (1 Tim 1:12-14). 

If I preach the Gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it! If I do so willingly, I have a recompense, but if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship. Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. All this I do for the sake of the Gospel, so that I too may have a share in it (1 Cor 9:16-17, 19, 23). 

O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim Your praise (Ps 51:17).

UNLESS YOU REPENT

"Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners 

than all the other Galileans, because they suffered thus?  

I tell you, No; 

but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."

Luke 13:2-3

WORSE SINNERS AND OFFENDERS

God does not look upon your sins but on your faith and willingness to be a better person.

The Lord cited unfortunate events that involves people who are worse sinners and offenders. He then made it clear that in the eyes of the Lord, all people are equal. What matters is their willingness to repent from their sins.

I had a long conversation with my brother regarding this topic and I believed that God's word for me today is His confirmation of my thoughts regarding what I shared. I may not be a preacher addressing a large crowd, but the Lord made me preach to a single soul that is in dire need of Him.

To me, repentance is not the key to salvation but it is the way towards receiving God's mercy and grace. Only by God's grace can we all be saved but there is a need for us to turn from sin and amend our lives. This we do not do for the Lord but for our own sake so that we may enjoy life to the full.


UNLESS YOU REPENT

It is always fitting to remember that the Lord's thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways. He knows all our thoughts and man's way of thinking. This is the reason why His answer started with the question "Do you think?"

People who followed Jesus thinks that they are less sinners but the Lord spoke to them of the truth. All have sinned against God and regardless of how great our sins are, we will perish unless we repent.

To repent means to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life, to feel regret or contrition, or to change one's mind.

It is only by way of changing our way of thinking that is moved by a contrite heart to feel sorry for our sins can we inherit the eternal life that God had promised us through Christ.


Father in heaven, forgive us our sins . . .

I confess that I have sinned against you and I feel sorry that I have offended you. There are no excuses nor justifications in my wrong doings and it is all my fault. I am no better than the rest but only by your grace and mercy can I live in accordance with your will and purpose.

May your love and compassion be upon me always through Christ. Amen.    


Gospel
Luke 13:1-9

There were some present at that very time who told him of the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. (Lk 13:1)

And he answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered thus? I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. (Lk 13:2-3)

Or those eighteen upon whom the tower in Silo'am fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." (Lk 13:4-5)

And he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, `Lo, these three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down; why should it use up the ground?' And he answered him, `Let it alone, sir, this year also, till I dig about it and put on manure. And if it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"  (Lk 13:6-9)


Published: March 3, 2013 - 7:44AM  

A Sinner who Repents

Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. -- Luke 15:7

Lord, I am a sinner. I repent from my sins as I humbly ask for your mercy and forgiveness. Thank you so much for being my Good Shepherd who always seeks me out whenever I am lost. Truly, you will not allow that anyone under your love and care will get lost. With much love and conviction over your word that nourishes my entire being, I pray in Jesus Name. Amen.

There are times when my unworthiness dictates that I should not actively serve the Lord because I am a sinner. Those who serve Him in the church or in communities are righteous people. I just want to serve Him in my own quiet and humble way.

Joy in heaven comes from even a single sinner who repents. In heaven, there is no such thing as an "outcast". It is open to all those who wish to be reunited with God.

God Speaks:

Indeed, if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life. 11 Not only that, but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (Romans 5:10-11)

Jesus came to the world not for the righteous but for sinners. He loves to be with them and even eats with them. The so called "righteous people" in his days has viewed this negatively and were completely blinded of the Lord's true intent and purpose.

God Speaks:

But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.  (Romans 5:8)

Friend, all of us are sinners who are always in need of a Good Shepherd. It is only by the Lord's love and grace that we were made worthy to be called children of God. Never allow your sins to set you apart from serving the Lord because service comes from a heart that is truly in love with God.

Scripture Reading

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him (Lk 15:1). And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them.(Lk 15:2)" So he told them this parable (Lk 15:3):

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it (Lk 15:4)? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing (Lk 15:5). And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, `Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost. (Lk 15:6)'


"Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it (Lk 15:8)? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, `Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost. (Lk 15:9)'

"Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents." -- Luke 15:10

"There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, `Father, give me the share of property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have fed on the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, `How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants."' (Lk 15:11-19)

And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, `Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, `Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry. (Lk 15:20-24)

"Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. And he said to him, `Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, `Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' And he said to him, `Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'" (Lk 15:25-31)

Published 11/3/11-6:56AM, 03/02/13-8:05AM, 06/07/13-9:40AM

REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED IN JESUS NAME

"Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." -- Acts 2:38

I am a Christian who is baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. As such, His mercy and forgiveness is always upon me. He is always there with open arms, waiting for me to go back and embrace Him with a repentant heart. He speaks to my heart, "empty yourself and follow me. . ."

Yesterday, in my reflection of the gospel, I said that "some of them who have been touched by the Holy Spirit came to believed that Jesus is our Lord and Saviour". I also wrote that "Anyone who can read will surely have knowledge of the words written in the scriptures but only those who have received the gift of understanding from the Holy Spirit will learn what the Lord teaches or wanted to impart".

Today, the Lord confirmed the thoughts of my heart as that of His. He wants me to fully receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Friend, let go of your guilt and fully surrender yourself to the Lord. Your sins will never go away if you yourself are retaining them over and over again. God has a lot better in store for you but you must take your faith into action. Faith without works is dead.

Lord Jesus, in your mighty and powerful name, I cast out all evil that leads me to sin and place them all at the foot of your cross. I claim victory and freedom against any form of bondage and addiction. Let your love flow to deepest recesses of my soul and heal me from all sorts of sickness, pain and anxieties. I am a broken man who is full of sin and only you can restore me to the fullness of life. You are my life in whom all good things come for the praise and glory of the Father.

Holy Spirit, mold me, transform me, use me in Jesus Name. Amen.