The Romans of those days were very proud of their law which was based on revenge and persecution. In contrast Apostle Paul according to our text gave them a new law of goodness, Love and Grace. While giving this new law Apostle Paul had in his mind the basic teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ, as in Mathew 5: 43-44. Ye have heard that it had been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, love your enemies. Bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.
In our text Apostle Paul calls upon all the Christians to exercise love by our response to both “good and evil”. Romans 12: 9-13 speak more of our love as towards other Christians and in verses 14-21 describes the behavior of love towards our enemies. This was the new law which surprised the Romans of those days. However it was not new to Apostle Paul. The same truth was taught in the Old Testament as Apostle Paul cites example from the book of Proverbs 20:22, 24: 29 and 25: 29. Similarly our Lord’s teaching calls for us the same attitude and action. (Mathew 5: 38-48, Luke 6: 26-38). The teaching of other Apostles is also the same. (l-Peter 3: 8- 12,4: 7-12, James 3).
Further to that those whom we are to love appear to be primarily non Christians who may persecute us as being Christians because of our faith in Jesus Christ. Therefore we should arm ourselves with a definite purpose to live for the rest of our life in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. We should not forget when Apostle Paul writes about our response to those who persecute us. He writes as an expert on the matter from both sides. Apostle Paul himself persecuted the Church with a vengeance but once he was called, he began to proclaim Jesus as Messiah. He became the target of opposition and was persecuted both from the Jews and the Gentiles. (Acts 16: 19 and 19: 23). Therefore, we are taught to Bless and love those who persecute us. Because blessing and love express the desire for good to overcome evil.
The second new law which Apostle Paul gave was the law of Grace. It means not to curse men but to bless them even though they appear to not deserve it. It is because Grace is not bestowed upon the basis of our status worth or performance. The Grace that we are to show toward men must be the same. We are not too good to associate with and serve the humble and they are not too lowly to receive the grace of God. The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is a great equalizer of men turning the social structures of society upside down. If we would love our enemies, we will also cast off false pride and reject as evil any form of discrimination based upon human merit and external measurement. Apostle Paul commands us to do more according to our text verse. We will then present our bodies as a living and Holy sacrifice acceptable to God, which is our spiritual service of worship. In Romans 12: 2 we read, ‘And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect, will of God.’ We can exercise this through the spiritual gifts within the context of the body of Christ. Apostle Paul calls on all of us to exercise love by our response to both “Good and Evil.”

What is Grace?
The answer to this question is: “Grace is all and all is Grace”! If you really think about it, it must be right. Who could think he could earn himself, his health, he could work and be with people who love him, and give him the talent to always speak out the right thing to other people etc., etc.? That all is grace. Grace makes our life much happier and easier to live, but who sends this to us? Because we can’t get this on our own. It comes from something bigger and higher. It is God, who forgives and loves His people. With no worries, you can say all the people live from “Grace” from God. God who created the world, looks after His creations, especially humans. (Psalm 103:8) “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.”
It is not new, that people don’t really believe the word of God. It is deep inside in our nature to believe that our life is in our hands and we can do what we want. We think we do not need God. The witnesses of the old and new testament, they know what it means to have God with them. There are many references to this. The grace of God is for ever and ever, for them who believe in Him. (Ps. 103: 17) “But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children.” His “Grace” is bigger than the sky and his truth is further than the clouds. (Ps. 108:5) “Be thou exalted, 0 God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth.” With my grace, I will be with you forever, said God! (Isaiah 54: 8) Again and again comes the prayer and the songs always back to God again. “Save me with your goodness” (Ps. 6: 5) Be forgiving to me. (Ps. 51:3) For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
In the new testament the “Grace” of God is of special quality. In the meaning of God sending Jesus Christ, John said “And the word and flesh living with us, and we see the beautiful and wonderful feeling from the birth of the Son of the Father. Full of “Grace” and truth. And from His giving, we all took “Grace for Grace”. Moses gave the Law to the people, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:14-17) That is the answer of the question how I receive grace in God. How can the people get to the right way in God again? The rules of God show us, but it is not enough to live. Again and again, we are overlooking the rules, and the result is in the end, we would die. In Jesus Christ, God gives us the grace to live. If the grace of God would be in us, we would have an uncomplicated life. Now we really will see that grace is a gift. Grace changes the life of people. Believing is free, nobody will push you, to believe in God comes through Jesus Christ. Because He had called us to His word in His “Grace”. If we really believe in God, don’t mix together the Law and grace – they don’t go together. (opposite each other) Then Christ is the end of the law. Who believes on Him, is right.
Paul writes to the Romans in 10: 4 , “So find fulfillment in the law through Jesus Christ”. Grace is grace – nobody can change God’s grace. We must believe strongly in God’s grace. Everyone, including sinners, those lacking in glory, (or fame) and this should happen from God. And without effort from us, grace to release the one who turns to Christ. So we see, we can get good without the law, just by believing. (Romans 3:21) Apostle Paul wrote “You lost Jesus because you believed too much in the law and fell from Grace.” (Gal. 5: 4) Such a blessing that all seems, and we should rejoice about it, but it should not be cheapened. No one is going to throw it to us. Everybody thinks it is God’s duty to be merciful to us. When God stood before Moses then He said “To whom I am merciful, I am uplifting to him. (Exodus 33:19) We can’t just expect that God will automatically send it to us. We have to be prepared to make an effort (Heb. 12:14-15) “Follow peace with all men and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. Looking diligently lest any man fall of the Grace of God”.
We should think about what Grace costs God. It was the life of His Son. With this knowledge, then we should think of Grace all our life. If one human is saved from death and allowed to live, we could not think otherwise. I will always sing of the Grace of God with Christ before God all my life and His true love and in heaven. (Ps. 89: 2-3) God will always stand against the proud but give His grace to the humble. (1 Peter 5:5).

This verse offers Profound reassurance of God’s constant presence and protection in our lives, it is a reminder that God surrounds us completely, both in our past and our future, and holds us securely in His care. “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.” Psalm 139: 6

“You beset me behind and before” indicates that God has covered us on all sides. Whether we are looking back at our past mistakes or an anxiety about the future, God is present in both realms. He not only forgives what lies behind but also prepares the way for what lies ahead. This gives us peace and confidence, knowing that God’s guidance is not limited to one part of our journey but encompasses every stem.

The second part “You lay your hand upon me,” speaks of God’s personal involvement in our lives. His hands represent protection, comfort, and blessing. When God places His hand on us, He is not distant; He is intimately aware of our needs, thoughts, and struggles. This also implies that we are never alone even in times of confusion or hardship. His touch brings assurance that we are in His control, no matter what challenges we face.

In our daily lives, Psalm 139: 5 serves as a powerful reminder that God’s presence surrounds us entirely. It calls us to trust Him with our past, present and future, knowing that He is actively guiding and protecting us to live with faith, rest in His plan and feel secure in His embrace, beset.

We are so blessed to have access to God 24/7 through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5: 1-2 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

The teaching of the prodigal son is a well-known parable found in the Bible, Luke 15:11-32. It’s a powerful teaching that illustrates the themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the boundless love of a Father for his wayward son. In the parable, Jesus is addressing the religious elites. He wants them to understand that including the downcast in no way reduces God’s love for them. The parable also addresses us. It is not just about God’s forgiveness but our treatment of sinners and the marginalized. Once, there was a man who had two sons. The younger of the two approached his father one day and said, “Father, give me my share of the estate.” In Jewish tradition, this request was highly unusual and disrespectful as it essentially meant the younger son wished his father were dead so he could inherit his portion of family’s wealth. However, the father out of love for his son divided his property between the two sons. The younger son received his share of the inheritance and set off for a distant country. There he squandered his wealth in wild living leading a life of luxury and indulgence. He made friends with those who had no concern for his well-being and spent his money recklessly. Eventually, a severe famine struck the land and the young man found himself in dire circumstances. He had spent all his money, and there was nothing left. He was starving and in need of help. In his desperate state, he took a job feeding pigs, a task that was considered among the lowest of the low for a Jewish person.
As he laboured in the pigsty, the young man came to his senses. He realized that even his father’s hired servants had food to spare, while he was starving. He decided to return to his father, confess his sins, and ask for forgiveness. He hoped that his father would at least allow him to work as a servant on the family estate. With a heavy heart and humility, the prodigal son began the journey back to his father’s house. He prepared the words he would say. “Father, I have sinned against you, I am no longer worthy to be called your son, make me like one of your hired servants.” While the son was still a long way off, his father saw him coming, filled with compassion and love, the father ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. The son began his prepared speech, but his father interrupted calling to his servants to bring the finest robe, a ring for his finger, and sandals for his feet, he ordered a feast to be prepared to celebrate his son’s return. Meanwhile, the elder son who had remained faithfully and responsible, was working in the fields. He heard the sounds of celebration and asked a savant what was happening. Learning of his brother’s return, he became angry and refused to join the festivities. The father went to his elder son and pleaded with him to come inside and celebrate. He reassured him of his love and explained that we had to celebrate and be glad because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found.
The story of the prodigal son reminds us of God’s boundless love and forgiveness. It emphasized that no matter how far we may have strayed or how many mistakes we have made there is always a path to redemption and reconciliation with a loving God. It also challenges us to be compassionate and forgiving toward others. Luke 15:7 “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”

WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW, of course, is not just that God exists, not just that beyond the steely brightness of the stars there is a cosmic intelligence of some kind that keeps the whole show going, but that there is a God right here in the thick of our day-by-day lives who may not be writing messages about Himself in the stars but in one way or another is trying to get messages through our blindness as we move around here knee-deep in the fragrant muck and misery and marvel of the world. It is not objective proof of God’s existence that we want but the experience of God’s presence. That is the miracle we are really after, and that is also, I think, the miracle that we really get.

“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4: 16-18.

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4.

God will never let us down. He promises us His strength, His peace, His comfort, and His presence. All we need to do is depend on Him.

Put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption. Psalm 130:7 ^“Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.” The LORD longs to be gracious to us, He rises to show us compassion. Isaiah 30:18 ^“And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.”

 Those  things we consider difficulties are often God’s opportunities for our greater blessings. We must trust, believe, hope and continue to walk the path He has laid before us.

The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” Nahum 1:7.

May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage our hearts and strengthen us in every good deed and word.

The congregation in Colosse was under the care of the former heathen Epaphras, who had founded it and been brought to the faith by the Apostle Paul. Paul did not know the Colossians personally since he never visited that place. This true and tireless servant of Christ Epaphras was moved to visit his spiritual father Paul when he was imprisoned in Rome so that he might share the burden of his suffering and also the problems of his own threatened congregation in Colosse, where preachers of false doctrines endangered the congregation with confusion. In this manner Epaphras sought also, advice and help from Paul.

Shallow rooted trees are able to attain considerable height in the middle of a wood where they are protected from storms. If these trees would stand alone in the open, where they would have to bear the full brunt of storm and weather, they would be easily uprooted. Shallow rooted trees grow quickly, but their wood is neither hard nor durable. Deep rootedness in the spiritual sense required sincerity of prayer, not to be distracted by gossip, and complete surrender to the teaching and love of Jesus, careful attention to the Word of Life in the Divine Services, the overcoming of personal shallow-mindedness and insincerity. That which is uprooted is no longer able to take strength from the earth where it formerly grew; it withers. To remain steadfast in faith it is necessary to be as the Psalmist wrote: “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth at the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth He meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” (Psalm 1:1-3)

Apostle Paul admonished the Colossians who had been misled by false doctrines to remain faithful in Christ and to permit themselves to be built in Him as they had been taught. How and by which means Christians should permit themselves to be built was explained by Paul in his Epistle to the Ephesians: “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” (Ephesians. 2:20-22)

Helping to build the temple of the Lord and the house of God is a blessed work, whilst becoming entangled in the pseudo intellectualism of this world only robs the soul of the peace, joy, strength and trust, which comes through Christ.

It is still the same today as it was in the days of the first Christians: The wisdom of man is limited whereas in Jesus Christ the fullness of godly clarity and blessings are revealed. Through Him we receive the fullness of our salvation.

Galatians 6:14. “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”

 God will show the way!

Remember the Cross; always! 

Moses was given clear instructions from God the Father, personally, if you could call it that. He spake of the most Holy and informed His servant by only overshadowing him.  Because no man can stand before God. One would immediately die.

God is the way. The story has been written; just live it. Subject yourself to the Lord, in body and soul.

The people of Moses were given a clear direction of travel they had to endure for 40-years, to receive the Promised Land. Given the way by fire at night and cloud by day to reach the place of salvation in spirit and body.

Likewise, we under the hand of mercy, received a promise also in connection with this history of Moses. The cloud that should and must be connected to the baptism with water, because a cloud is a creation of God consisting of water.

The fire column is connected to the Baptism of Fire; the Holy Sealing to guide and protect us and also make us heirs to the glorious heaven and be fellow citizens in the Household of God, connected to the benefits that the chosen people had, but unfortunately, they cast away the stone that was and is and will be forever; the Chief Corner Stone, in Apostolic faith, Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.

Jesus says that nobody will come to the Glorious Kingdom, but through the rebirth, Baptism of Water and Spirit (John 3:3-5).

This is our column of water (the cloud) and this is our Spirit (Column of fire) given to us by God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit – anointed in us by the laying on of hands of a living Apostle of Jesus as an Ambassador of Christ.

Let us not try and plan our route, because Apostle James, in the verse James 4:13-17 warns us and gives us a guideline to success in spirit and in the natural life. Open and be a subject of God so that He will take you through your trials and tribulations, but remember to thank the Lord when success is on your doorstep.

I saw a spring of water on a farm this morning and was again reminded of the Water of Life. And it was bubbling, like the water of God. We shall never thirst again, like the woman at the well.

Concentrate and subject ourselves to the God of all things and do not just want the things.

May our prayers be light and our Blessings heavy!

In the parable which Jesus demonstrated about the persistent widow, are shown two persons with complete opposite characters. On the one side stands an unjust judge. Jesus describes him as an ego-centric, ambitious man who, most likely would have been very prosperous. He chooses his “cases”. If they seemed rewarding, he would have made himself available.

With the widow’s request he refused to occupy himself. There was no money in this, or headlines to be made. The last instance of all responsibilities was he himself. He knew no meekness nor reverence or fear toward God. On the other side stands the widow, who had suffered wrongly. She lost her husband and therefore had no one who would look after her needs.

Those in similar situations know how difficult it is to master life in many situations, if one stand alone. Without some encouragement, some assistance from friends and relatives, one is very often dependent on oneself. This parable points out that this widow had no “Lobby”. Her request may have been to others around her, really un-important, even repugnant. That the unjust judge finally accepted to avenge her had two reasons. First of all, this woman with her untiring importunity, gave him a lot of trouble. She must have put her request at any suitable and unsuitable opportunity to him. One can imagine that, she continually laid in his ears. She influenced his usual course of the day with her presence; she became really troublesome to him. The second reason was that he feared a disgrace. Well, he was a prominent personality, belonged to the upper class of society, he was somebody influential. If this widow, this nobody would openly rail on him the disgrace would be enormous.

These thoughts caused him to procure her rights. Jesus says now: The inner attitude of the elect, waiting for its Lord, amidst an unrighteous world, should be the same as the tireless widow. It is true: Christ’s congregation stands alone in this world, has no advocate, has no lobby. The congregation enjoys no great respect, is in other words ignored. It is not profitable to intervene for its importance. One can’t earn any money with it nor win prestige; no headlines are to be made.

This is truly the position and life situation of the Church. She possesses only one “weapon”: – the persistence in prayer and then comes the encouraging word of Jesus: “Shall not God avenge His own elect who cry to Him day and night, will He defer them and delay help on their behalf?

This is the Advent’s invitation: The congregation must bring their request: before God day and night, begging unceasingly for the Kingdom of Righteousness, lay in His ear to request the second Advent, so that God’s Kingdom will be set up at last in which peace and righteousness reigns.  “Thy Kingdom Come”.