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READ:

Romans 12:16a

^16a Be of the same mind one toward another.

EXHORTATION:

The original Greek words used by the apostle Paul can also be translated as “thinking the same thing to one another”. It is not an exhortation to think on the same thing, but a call to think of everybody in the same way. We must treat everyone equally. In the church, we are not to show favouritism or to prefer one group over another.

The church should not be divided along racial or cultural or economical or educational lines. The church must be united, irrespective of the differences in members’ backgrounds. The church is a place where people of diverse backgrounds ought to come together as God’s people united in truth and love. Every member of the church must sincerely endeavour to communicate with other members of the church with respect and love.

Paul exhorted the Philippian church, “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27). Paul also instructed them, “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Philippians 2:2).

Major causes of disunity and conflict within a church (though she may be united in doctrine and purpose) can be traced to sin, pride, selfcentredness, selfishness, anger, bitterness, jealousy, competitive spirit, power play, unforgiveness, vengeance, etc. We must guard our hearts against all these destructive feelings and conduct, lest we become vehicles of schism within the church.

Internal discord is shattering to the church. Every church member must have a commitment to peace and unity within the church. Each of us must strive to be a peacemaker. We must pray that we will not be a troublemaker. A sincere commitment to forgiveness and reconciliation must characterise every Christian. The apostle Peter instructed in 1 Peter 3:11, “Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.” We must not let unhappiness and hurt caused by others to grow into bitterness and vengeful behaviour. We must pursue the path of love, forgiveness and reconciliation. Likewise, we must cease from being jealous of and hostile to those whom God has been using increasingly. Let us pray that God will make us promoters of godly unity in the church.

READ:

Romans 12:15

¹⁵ Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

EXHORTATION:

The church being one, there should be common empathy in both sad and joyful experiences of her members. In 1 Corinthians 12:26, Paul said, “And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.” Likewise, in Philippians 2:4, Paul exhorts, “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” We must show friendly concern in the good and ill that happens to other persons. Our mutual interest in members’ happiness and sorrow would enhance the bond of fellowship in the church. Two aspects are involved here.

Firstly, we are exhorted to “Rejoice with them that do rejoice”. We must truly rejoice at the well-being of fellow brethren. We should not frown at the heartfelt and godly rejoicing of those who have been endowed with good providence. Disapproving or condemning such divinely favoured joy is not befitting of a Christian. We should appreciate their happiness and share in their joy with appropriate words and actions. It is the Christians’ duty to spread happiness and God-given enjoyments everywhere.

Here are some biblical examples of “Rejoice with them that do rejoice”. In Luke 1:57-58, we read, “Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.” Jesus also spoke of a woman who found her lost silver coin and then “calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost” (Luke 15:9). It must be our joy to participate in others’ rejoicing, and also to welcome others to participate in our joys.

Secondly, we are exhorted to “weep with them that weep”. Sympathising with those who are afflicted and grieving is a solemn act of true Christian charity. Inability to grieve for another’s misfortune is both unfeeling and unchristian. A strong warning is further given against gloating over others’ misfortune in Proverbs 17:5, “Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.”

Be that as it may, this exhortation to mutual encouragement does not sanction Christians’ participation in sinful mirth or inconsolable mourning; it pertains only to just and reasonable joy and sorrow of fellow believers.

READ:

Romans 12:13

¹³ Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

EXHORTATION:

The apostle Paul gave this instruction to the Roman Christians while he was discussing the tribulation of God’s people. He told them how they should show their love towards the persecuted Christians.

Terrible persecution was unleashed by the Roman emperor Nero and his people against Christians. Many were driven out of their homes and stripped of their occupations, leaving them destitute and homeless. The unbelievers around them were reluctant to help the suffering Christians. With the number of helpless Christians on the rise, the urgent need for “relief” was all too obvious. Here in Romans 12:13, the apostle Paul called Christians’ attention to the plight of the needy saints. He exhorted them to provide two types of aid, namely finance and lodging.

Firstly, he exhorted them to take heed of “distributing to the necessity of saints”. The word “distribute” means to communicate or share or contribute. Paul encouraged those who had enough or more, to share their abundance with those who were in need. In 2 Corinthians 8:13-14, Paul gave this advice, “For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality”. The instruction to Christians is that let those who are blessed with material goods relieve the needs of the poor and needy. In Galatians 6:10, Paul said, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Christians are divinely mandated to help those who are poor in the society, especially poor Christians.

Secondly, Paul advised Christians to give themselves to hospitality. Finding a good and safe place to stay was by no means easy at that time. Not only the homeless, but the travelling missionaries as well, were in need of lodging. So, Paul instructed Christians to become thoroughly involved in the business of supplying good lodging places. Scripture commands Christians to practise hospitality gladly, not grudgingly. 1 Peter 4:9 exhorts, “Use hospitality one to another without grudging.” Church leaders are expected to be hospitable persons (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8). Likewise, every believer should be hospitable. It is God’s will for every Christian to readily and cheerfully extend his help to needy Christians.

READ:

Romans 12:9b

^9b Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

EXHORTATION:

Since we are commanded to love without dissimulation, should we love all and sundry indiscriminately? Does love demand that we need to accept all without discretion? Can a loving person refuse to receive another in view of sin, falsehood and non-repentance?

Most certainly! Concerning charity, Paul declared in 1 Corinthians 13:5-6 that it “doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth”. Clearly, Scripture teaches us that true love not only recognises the difference between truth and falsehood, good and evil, righteousness and sin, but it also clearly discriminates against and rejects those that are false, evil and sinful.

We are instructed to “Abhor that which is evil”. The word “abhor” means to hate, to turn from, or to avoid. The word “evil” here refers to malicious, ungodly belief and conduct. We must hate sin, no matter in what form it appears. Whether it is in thought or in action, be it trivial or great, personal or public, covert or overt, we must hate sin. No matter how sin may appear, we should not tolerate it.

It is not only unwise, but also incongruent with Christian charity, to even wish to accommodate sin. We are told to “Depart from evil, and do good” (Psalm 34:14). In Psalm 97:10, Scripture commands us, “Ye that love the LORD, hate evil”. Let us not condone sin in our thought, word or action. If we ever fall into sin, let us repent as soon as we realise the evil in our ways, and depart from it.

On the other hand, we are exhorted to “cleave to that which is good”. The word “cleave” denotes the act of attaching or uniting firmly to something or someone. It indicates active partaking and participation. We ought to adhere to all that God’s Word reveals as truth. We should love to cleave to all things that are good in the sight of God. We must relentlessly pursue truth and righteousness with increasing fondness. Steadfast, constant pursuit of truth and holiness must characterise every Christian. May our hearts and hands be always devoted to propagating His truth and doing His righteousness. Let us walk “in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life” (Luke 1:75).

READ:

Romans 12:9a

^9a Let love be without dissimulation.

EXHORTATION:

The Bible frequently commands us to be sincere and genuine in our love for others, as it is commanded here (cf. 2 Corinthians 6:6; 1 Timothy 1:5; 1 Peter 1:22). “Dissimulation” means “hiding under a false appearance”. The words “without dissimulation” is translated from a Greek word anupókritos, which literally means “not hypocritical”. In our English Bible, this word has been translated as “unfeigned” (4 times), “without dissimulation” (once), and “without hypocrisy” (once). So, Paul is teaching us that our love for one another ought to be undisguised and sincere. It is the Christian’s duty not to fake love, but to love one another genuinely.

The Bible records many sad and treacherous expressions of hypocritical love, which serve as a warning to us. Psalm 55:21 warns us against those who hypocritically speak loving words: “The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.” Proverbs 26:25 cautions us likewise: “When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.”

Sadly, hypocritical love has been found even among the followers of Christ. Judas is the archetype of all those who act with hypocritical love. When he betrayed the Lord Jesus, he sealed it with a kiss, the token of love. So, according to Luke 22:48, Jesus asked him, “Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?” Similarly, Ananias and Sapphira, who professed love and generosity towards the early church, were also exposed by the Holy Ghost as pretenders. The pretence of brotherly love, which is devoid of truthfulness and sincerity, is often the fruit of self-love.

Our hearts must be purged of self-aggrandisement and self-love so that we may love one another with sincerity. 1 Timothy 1:5 instructs us, “Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned”. Christians must love one another in a pure way out of a pure heart for the sake of Christ. Beware of play-acting when it comes to showing love for one another.

Hypocrisy (the epitome of ungodliness) and love (the chief of all good virtues) are diametrically opposite of each other. Anyone who acts in pretentious love will soon, by his own acts, manifest his malicious heart. May we love one another with unfeigned love.

READ:

1 Timothy 6:9a

^9a But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts.

EXHORTATION:

The original Greek phrase translated as “they that will be rich” refers to those who desire or wish to be rich. They are not contented with whatever God has given them. They are ambitious and determined to make more wealth. Their hearts and minds are set to be rich. They may not appear to be covetous and greedy. In reality, they will very likely come across as noble men who are industrious, determined and assiduous. However, they are driven by an irrepressible passion to be rich. Such would be noticed by the people of this world and be endued with great honour and praise for their achievements and wealth.

Yet God’s Word warns us that they who are driven by the accumulation of wealth will “fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts”. The path of material wealth is strewn with many pits of sinful temptations. When driven by an uncontrolled craving for wealth, they will suddenly fall into temptation. They will be led into snares of lust, like wild animals led into traps. Once trapped, they thrash themselves all over the place trying to break free from the traps. Their burning desire for achievements and prosperity makes them morally senseless, irrational, even animalistic in their conduct. They become victims of their own lusts.

With their unchecked passion for wealth comes hurtful and foolish conduct. Chasing money is not the way to happiness; it is the way to being trapped in sin and being a victim of one’s own lusts. A money-minded man will soon be a victim of his own ambitions. The love of money leads to sin and hurtful consequences. It leads to entrapment, it leads to irrational control by lust, and finally it brings upon him self inflicted harm and ruin.

A man driven by material success often pursues paths of life that a godly person would gladly abandon. Clearly, it is foolish and hurtful to spend one’s life solely for material success. Hebrews 13:5 advises us: “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Let us learn to be contented with what God has been pleased to give us, and be dedicated to live a life pursuing after the glorious purposes of God. So brethren, get rid of covetousness from your life before it ruins your soul!

READ:

Proverbs 29:25

²⁵ The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

EXHORTATION:

The fear of man mentioned here is not about the proper and necessary respect and submission that we should show towards human authorities, such as kings, governments, officers, teachers, parents, etc. Honouring those in authority is taught in the Bible. However, if they require us to act against our Biblical faith and principles, “we ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

The fear of man appears in various forms, namely, caring too much about what people think of us, fearing the loss of favour and friendship of men, fearing forfeiture of rights and privileges, fearing loss of honour and applause from people, fearing reproaches, reviling and persecution from people, as well as fearing afflictions and death that people could inflict.

God’s Word warns us that such fear of man can ensnare God’s people. It can lead men into great sins at times, holding them like a bird caught in a snare. It often compels many to give up their faith in the Lord, or to disobey God, or to participate in wicked deeds, violating their own conscience. Aaron, though a priest unto the LORD, yielded to the outcry of the people and made them a golden calf. Peter denied his Master for fear of a maid. Oh, how tragic it is to be ensnared by the fear of man!

The fear of man can also cause men to conduct themselves without dignity. Abraham, because of his fear of the Egyptian king, denied that Sarah was his wife; David (who ran from Saul), being “sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath”, behaved like a mad man before the latter. Some have failed to carry out their duties and given up their honour for fear of man. The fear of man also restrains men from being useful in God’s kingdom. Many dare not speak a word for Christ for fear of others. Some refuse to take responsibility or leadership in the church for fear of man and thereby waste their abilities and opportunities to become useful and fruitful in the Lord’s work. It reduces many to cowardly, shameful and foolish actions.

The most effective Scriptural antidote to the fear of man is to trust the LORD. The LORD is our safe refuge from the threats and intimidations of men. The LORD God is mightier than the whole world combined. Like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, let us find courage through prayer to face a frowning, mocking, ridiculing or even raging mob.

Sermon Text: Psalm 50
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 6th August 2023

Reports on Christian persecution around the world have been on the rise. Burning of church buildings, beating and killing of Christian missionaries, pastors and believers are increasingly heard in more countries worldwide. Not only in traditionally hostile societies, but also in places where religious diversity and tolerance have previously existed, indescribable violence is now committed against Christians. 

On 22nd June 2023, Christianity Today reported, “At least 450 Christians have died in a series of attacks on Christian villages in three north-central Nigerian states since May, according to reports from religious freedom advocates.” Things are not getting any better for Christians, even in our continent, Asia. “An Evangelical group in India is calling for peace after 58 Christians were killed, dozens of churches were burned and tens of thousands of Christians were forced to flee their homes due to ethnic violence in Manipur, a state in Northeast India that is home to more than 2.5 million people.”

Upon reading such reports of unrelenting persecutions and killings of Christians around the world, my mind was filled with the words of Paul in Romans 8:35-37, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”

His Love Makes Persecuted Christians Conquerors

Indeed, Christians are conquerors. In fact, v. 37 declares that Christians are “more than conquerors”. This is truly a comforting message to Christians, for they live in a hostile world. Though they would face extreme hostilities, their faith shall not be quenched because the Word of God assures them that they shall be “more than conquerors”!

Paul has in vv. 35-36 written about the steadfastness of God’s love for believers in the face of hostility: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter”. Yet, Christians will be enabled to overcome sin, Satan, the world, temptations, reproaches, afflictions, persecutions, and thereby continue in their faith. The devil will trouble their souls with temptations and trials. Many Christians will suffer great afflictions. But they shall abide in their faith, love and service through thick and thin. In fact, they shall be “more than conquerors”.

Just what did the apostle mean when he referred to Christians as “more than conquerors”? He meant that they are winning a sweeping, overwhelming victory. The emphasis made here by the apostle is that in the midst of all the myriads of hostile experiences – yes, even by means of them and with their “help” – Christians shall show that they are more than conquerors!

They overcome their innumerable troubles, not by their own strength, but through the Lord Jesus Christ, who loves them. The ability to triumph over all adversity does not arise from any inherent superiority of believers, but rather, by the might of their loving Saviour, they will overcome their adversities. His love for them is the pledge of His help for them to be great overcomers.

Christ’s steadfast love will strengthen and enable us to endure affliction. Special favour of His love will strengthen us. We shall overcome all our afflictions, not by our natural powers, but by the special blessings of our Saviour’s love.

His Power Empowers His Afflicted

Yet another familiar verse comes to my mind that encourages every afflicted Christian: “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9b).

Paul was buffeted by the messenger of Satan and afflicted with what he referred to as “a thorn in the flesh”. The Lord, who found it necessary that the trouble should remain in Paul’s life, assured him of His grace which was sufficient to strengthen and equip him to serve the Lord effectively. The Lord’s assurance that His grace was sufficient to support and strengthen Paul in his trial, made him a happy minister of the Gospel. So, he joyfully confessed, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Because of the glorious promise of the Lord’s sufficient and strengthening grace, Paul refused to be perturbed by his trial. Instead of being preoccupied with the trial, he committed himself to delight in the grace of the Lord that was made available to him. He was, in effect, saying, “I count it my joy to be afflicted if my trial will be the means to know the power of my great Redeemer.” Paul rejoiced that his weakness became the vehicle by which the Lord’s grace and power were most fully manifested to himself and to others. When the devil inflicted him with weakness and pain, the Lord “perfected his strength” in the midst of his weakness. It seems that Paul was saying that his weakness plus Christ’s power equal perfect power. Paul was not relying on his own strength, for he was full of weakness. He was most powerful, when he was least reliant on his own resources and most reliant on the Lord’s grace and power.

Self-reliance, which results from pride, is detrimental to our spiritual joy. So, it is to prevent the possibility of pride in Paul that the Lord permitted his trial. We should not, therefore, be bitter when afflictions are permitted in our lives. Only when we are emptied of ourselves, will our strength be perfected with Christ’s glorious power. Very often, the continuing weakness in Christians is necessary so that they might not confuse the power of God with their own power and lose God’s power by attempting to rely on themselves.

Like Paul, in order that you may be vessels of Christ’s glorious power, be glad to suffer the trials He would permit. If you are in the midst of trials, rejoice that His power shall rest (pitch a tent) in you. His power will keep your faith intact, and let you magnify Him against Satan’s evil devices.

READ:

Psalm 106:36

³⁶ And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them.

EXHORTATION:

When God brought the people of Israel to the Promised Land, they were specifically warned: “Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite. Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee: But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves: For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God” (Exodus 34:11-14).

However, God’s Word says, “they served their idols”. Oh, what an incriminating verdict! Serving the idols of the inhabitants of the land had led them into many other abominable deeds connected to idol worship. Eating food offered to idols, building altars unto idols, sorcery, witchcraft, soothsaying, child sacrifices and all kinds of despicable carnal behaviour had been adopted by most Israelites. By their unashamed involvement in idolatrous practices, the people of Israel relentlessly provoked the LORD.

Their adulterated religion was an insult to the Most Holy God. He was dishonoured by their shameful hypocrisy. The LORD, the only living and true God, was reduced to the ranks of idols, which they had turned to worship. They had forgotten and despised all the blessings that the LORD promised in His covenant with them. He had been faithful to them and given them the land that He promised them. However, they callously walked away from Him to serve the idols of the heathen people!

To seek truth, blessing and protection in idolatry was a foolish journey into endless snares to their souls. The idolatry they sought after was “a snare unto them”. It was like the snare by which birds and animals were trapped. They did not perceive the danger of idolatry, simply because they ignored the warnings of God against worshipping idols.

Today, churches and Christians at large are much like the ancient Israel that went a whoring after the idols. Their chief idolatry is worldliness. Though the Scriptures warn Christians to “Love not the world” (1 John 2:15; cf. James 4:4), many unabashedly pursue materialism and the unchaste life of the unbelievers. O Christians, avoid the dangers of worldliness by fleeing from it. Separate from the world and adhere to your LORD.