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During his recent visit to Singapore, the Pope made a statement that has been widely reported: “All religions are paths to God.” He added, “I will use an analogy, they are like different languages that express the divine.”¹ This view, however, stands in stark contrast to our Christian belief. 

As followers of Christ, we recognise no authority beyond what Christ Himself and the Holy Scriptures, the Word of God, have revealed to us. 

Salvation to Come to God is Only through Jesus

Let’s listen to Jesus’ words on how to be saved and come to God. (To stress the importance, the relevant portions are underscored.)

• “Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:7-11).
• “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6)

As shown in the statements above, Jesus has clearly emphasised that He is the only path to God, the embodiment of truth, and the Giver of eternal life. For further evidence of Jesus’ insistence that He is the Saviour whom God sent for sinners to come to Him, please refer to the following Scripture passages: Matthew 1:21; 11:27-30; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 5:32; 19:10; John 3:16; 5:36-47; 6:35-39; 11:25-26.

Now, let us hear the emphatic declarations of Christ’s apostles, as recorded in the New Testament, that reiterated Christ is the only Saviour whom God had prepared for sinners:

• Peter declared, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
• “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) that word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:34-43).
• Paul declared, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time” (1 Timothy 2:5-6).
• “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?” (Hebrews 2:3-4).
• “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance” (Hebrews 9:14-15).
• John proclaimed, “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (1 John 5:11-12).

Condemnation to Those who Reject Christ, the God-Appointed Saviour

Now consider Jesus’ warning of eternal damnation for all who reject Him as the One whom God the Father has sent to this earth to save sinners and to provide the way to heaven:

• “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:16-18).
• “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36).
• “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: that all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:22-24). 

The apostles also warned that those who deny Christ will not come to the Father but perish forever:

• “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction” (2 Peter 2:1). 
• “Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also” (1 John 2:23). 
•  “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (1 John 5:10-12).
• “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 4).

Receive Not Those Who Reject Christ as the Only Way to God

“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds” (2 John 9-11).

¹ https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2024/september/documents/20240913-singapore-giovani.html

Sermon Text: Psalm 90:1–17
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 29th September 2024

READ:

Romans 15:33

³³ Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

EXHORTATION:

Our God is the “God of peace”. Earlier in this epistle, He has already been revealed to us as the God of patience (Romans 15:5), and the God of hope (Romans 15:13). Here and once again in Romans 16:20, He is described as the “God of peace”. Through such names in His Word, God has revealed unto us who He is. The names of God in the Bible are the personal disclosures of His person and perfections. They also reveal various aspects of His relationship with His people. By the designation, “God of peace”, He reveals Himself to us as the author, giver and lover of peace.

In Romans 3:17, the apostle Paul said concerning fallen, sin-plagued mankind, that “the way of peace have they not known”. Man has been utterly ignorant of true peace and the way to obtain it. So, how wonderful it is then that the LORD has revealed Himself to us as the “God of peace” and welcomed us to His perfect peace!

He has declared unto us “the gospel of peace” (Romans 10:15; cf. Ephesians 6:15; Acts 10:36), that “being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). In Romans 5:10, we read: “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life” (cf. Colossians 1:21-22). By faith in Christ who died for us, we are no more at war with God, but heirs of His kingdom of peace. Oh, what a blessing it is that God has called us, through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, out of our wicked ways to walk according to His godly ways! “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Romans 8:6).

Moreover, the “God of peace”, who has called us into His kingdom, wants us to enjoy and promote peace, particularly in the church. No schism is to be brought into the church, whether it be caused by racial or cultural or dietary or any such differences. “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Romans 14:17). In his epistle to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul said, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints” (1 Corinthians 14:33). As God’s people rejoice in the peace that they have inherited in Christ and promote peace in the church, the apostle fervently prayed that the “God of peace” will be with them. God’s presence will sanctify us and show us the way of peace.

READ:

Romans 15:32

³² That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

EXHORTATION:

This was one of the several personal requests that Paul made to the believers in Rome for their prayer. He appealed to them for prayer (vv. 30-32). Though he was a man of great faith, abundant wisdom, astounding courage and extraordinary success in his Gospel endeavours, he constantly solicited prayers of fellow brethren (Ephesians 6:18-19; Philippians 1:19; Colossians 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:25; 2 Thessalonians 3:1- 2; Philemon 1:22; Hebrews 13:18-19). Paul was acutely aware of his needs and weaknesses, and humbly sought the co-operation of his brethren to fulfil his desires in the LORD. Like a thriving businessman dependent on those around him, the apostle in his increasing “business” for the Lord sought the prayers of fellow Christians.

Paul asked them to pray for his upcoming ministry in Jerusalem, where there were many hostile unbelievers who could cause him serious harm. So he would have them to pray for his deliverance from the violence of the hostile unbelievers, and for his service to be accepted by the saints in Jerusalem. He then desired the earnest prayers of the believers in Rome concerning his plan to visit them. Even as he yearned to have the joy of seeing them and of being refreshed by their fellowship, he knew there were many obstacles that could impede his intended journey to Rome.

To God’s servants like Paul, nothing is more reviving and refreshing to their hearts than the loving presence and communion of God’s people. How we ought to pray that we will be used of the Lord to minister joy and comfort to His servants who labour in His vineyard! We should not only pray for safety and success in their ministries, but also for us to be a means of spiritual and physical refreshing to His faithful servants. There is no better way to show our brotherhood and solidarity with the ministers of the Gospel than our prayerful availability and refreshing fellowship.

Though Paul desired the joy and comfort of their fellowship, he remained submissive to God’s sovereign will. So he asked them to pray that he “may come … by the will of God”. He trusted in the wise disposing of God’s providence. For Paul, God’s will mattered more than his own desires. He only finally arrived in Rome as a prisoner for the Gospel to testify before Caesar (cf. Acts 21:17-28:16; Philippians 1:12, 13; 4:22). Truly, man proposes, God disposes! God’s greater purposes must prevail in and through us.

READ:

Romans 15:11

¹¹ And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.

EXHORTATION:

Paul was particularly mindful of his special calling as “the apostle of the Gentiles” (Romans 11:13), and hence his joy in seeing thousands and thousands of Gentiles turning from idols to worship the living and true God through the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:9). He rejoiced that God had shown such great mercy towards the Gentiles and received them into His kingdom. He wanted the believing Jews also to rejoice in the salvation of Gentiles and receive them into the church to worship God together with them.

So Paul said in verses 8-9, “Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.” Though Jesus Christ was “a minister of the circumcision” (i.e. being born a Jew according to the promises of God to the forefathers of the Jews and ministered among the Jews), His atoning death benefited not only the Jews but also the Gentiles. Paul then reasoned that the Old Testament Scriptures pointed out that God had always planned to call the Gentiles unto the worship of God. The apostle did so by referring to four Old Testament portions: Psalm 18:49 in verse 9, Deuteronomy 32:43 in verse 10, Psalm 117:1 in verse 11, and Isaiah 11:1, 10 in verse 12. All of those verses show that it was God’s design that the Gentiles should join the Jews to worship God.

The verse for our meditation cites Psalm 117:1, where the Gentiles are beckoned twice to praise the LORD. The word “laud” means praise. All people, both Jews and Gentiles, must gather to praise the LORD. He is worthy of the praise of all the peoples of the world. There is no other Saviour for man (whether Jew or Gentile) to be saved from his sins so that he may be reconciled to God.

The blessing of salvation comes with the responsibility of glorifying God among all people. We must declare His Gospel so that people from all nations, tribes and languages may call on His name and praise Him. Let us therefore serve the Lord, with the prayer “That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee” (Psalm 67:2-3).

READ:

Romans 15:7

⁷ Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

EXHORTATION:

In the early churches, disagreement and disputes did arise for varying reasons. Tensions were caused by Jewish and Gentile differences in matters such as dietary practices and other ceremonial observances. With the growth of Christianity, problems inevitably also increased. Unpleasant disturbances did arise in the life of the early church from time to time. It was not easy to get every new believer to understand and cast aside the errors of his traditions and habits. So often the apostles had to deal with discord and strife, even as they pressed forward with the preaching of the Gospel near and far.

When the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome, he was very concerned about the peace and unity of their fellowship. He would have all believers show mutual love and care. He wanted the brethren to please one another instead of staying aloof and distant from one another.

Christians must be warm and friendly. We must interact with people in the church with a welcoming, approving disposition. Warm-hearted treatment of others will help us quell any anxiety, suspicion or even resentment. Though trivial differences can at times estrange us from one another, let us not become hostile and unfriendly. Let us be conciliatory and seek to resolve matters with the guidance and help of fellow brethren, if necessary.

Our mutual acceptance must be pivoted on our adoration and emulation of Christ, our blessed Saviour and Lord. The exhortation is that we receive one another “as Christ also received us to the glory of God”. Our treatment of others is to resemble Christ’s behaviour towards us. Christ’s tender affection towards us must be the pattern, motivation and inspiration for our conduct towards one another. When we feel rather uncertain about being friendly to someone, let us consider how our Lord has first shown mercy and love towards us.

Christ has accepted us freely and heartily, though we were once hostile and guilty. He welcomed us right away into all His glorious inheritance and has made us joint-heirs with Him. So let us deal with others kindly, with a willingness to forgive and overlook their infirmities and offences. May we always be ready to show Christ-like receptiveness to fellow believers.

READ:

Romans 15:2

² Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

EXHORTATION:

No Christian is exempted from the exhortation given in this verse. Every Christian is urged to “please his neighbour”. In the light of the context of this verse, the word “neighbour” denotes a fellow church member or a Christian brother. To “please” another is to conduct oneself in a polite or courteous manner towards another.

Many biblical admonitions, if carefully implemented, will enable us to be “pleasing” towards one another. Some of such admonitions are briefly enumerated below:

• We must greet one another, showing respect and love. 1 Corinthians 16:20 says, “Greet ye one another with an holy kiss” (cf. Romans 16:16; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; 1 Peter 5:14).
• We must be kind-hearted to all, showing love and compassion. “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love” (Romans 12:10; cf. John 13:34).
• We must show respect to all, even to those who are younger and immature, as we are admonished: “in honour preferring one another” (Romans 12:10; cf. Philippians 2:3; 1 Peter 5:5).
• We must be welcoming to others in the church. Romans 15:7 urges us, “Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God” (cf. Romans 14:1-3; Matthew 10:40).
• We must be helpful and caring towards one another, even to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2; cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:14).
• We must be patient towards others. Ephesians 4:2 instructs us, “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love” (cf. Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13).
• We must “consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” (Hebrews 10:24).
• We must encourage and edify one another. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do” (cf. Romans 14:19; Ephesians 4:16, 29; 1 Thessalonians 4:18).

In a word, it is for the expressed purpose of edification that we ought to “please” one another.

READ:

Romans 15:1

¹ We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

EXHORTATION:

Every Christian is called to be a member of the church, where he renders himself for the edification of other Christians. Paul stated this truth earlier in Romans 12:5 – “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” In 1 Corinthians 12, he further emphasised “that the members should have the same care one for another” (v. 25). It is God’s design that we edify one another through mutual care.

The first counsel that Paul gives in our text is let the strong help the weak. “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak”. Paul’s use of the word “ought” (opheilo in Greek), which means “owe” or “be a debtor”, suggests that the strong ones must feel an indebtedness to God to help His weak children. The word “bear” (bastazō in Greek) has meanings such as “carry”, “endure” and “support”. Hence, it is the duty of every Christian to bear patiently with the weaker ones around him and help them to walk and grow along with him. He who is spiritually strong should neither despise nor neglect those who are weak. Instead, he graciously renders himself available to support and help them. “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye” (Romans 14:1). In 1 Corinthians 12:22- 24 we read, “Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: and those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked”.

Paul’s second counsel for Christians is “not to please ourselves”. A Christian should not be self-centred if he is to help others as God expects. A person’s spiritual maturity is evidenced in his willingness to give up his rights so that others may be helped. We must be willing to deny ourselves if we can promote others’ happiness in doing so. Our conduct should not be motivated by our personal happiness or gratification, but rather by the welfare of others. We must, like Paul, be able to sincerely say, “For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more... To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (1 Corinthians 9:19, 22).

READ:

2 Corinthians 5:9

⁹ Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

EXHORTATION:

The apostle Paul had been explaining the future glory that awaits all Christians. He also spoke about how Christians ought to bear their bodily afflictions on this earth as they awaited their heavenly abode. “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven” (2 Corinthians 5:1-2).

Having persuaded his readers of their blessed hope, Paul here said, “Wherefore we labour”. The Greek word for “labour” (philotiméomai) has the idea of exerting oneself out of a love or sense of honour. We endure all our hardships and serve our LORD, who shall receive us soon to His glorious presence. Our future glory is a great motivation for enduring afflictions as we strive to do all His will on this earth.

When the Lord returns, all our works, be they good or bad, will be revealed before Him. At that time, He will reward us according to our deeds. So Paul said in Colossians 3:23-24, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”

In a similar vein, Paul exhorted in Hebrews 10:35-37, “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” Furthermore, in Hebrews 12:28, he reassured the believers, “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear”.

We look forward to be “present” (or be at home) with the Lord. However, now being “absent” (or away from home) from the Lord, our greatest desire is that He may be well-pleased when He examines our works at His second coming. The Greek word for “accepted” has the idea of “well-pleasing”. May the Lord “make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:21).

Psalm 119:131 - “I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.” 

This verse vividly portrays a person deeply yearning for God’s commandments. The phrase, “opened my mouth, and panted”, evokes the image of someone utterly exhausted and gasping for air, or of a parched animal thirsting for water. These expressions depict one of the most intense desires imaginable—a longing for something vital and life-sustaining. Such was the psalmist’s deep desire for the Word of God, particularly for His commandments.

Many people today view the commandments of God as restrictive, burdensome, or difficult to follow. Some claim that God’s commandments are “grievous” (or heavy), but that is far from the truth. 1 John 5:3 reminds us that God’s commandments are not grievous, but are an expression of His love for us. The apostle John said, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” The psalmist, in Psalm 119, understood that God’s commandments are good, beneficial, and life-giving. They lead to wisdom and a greater understanding of life’s purpose. As the psalmist has declared, “Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies” (Psalm 119:98).

Moreover, God’s commandments are described as pure, faithful, and righteous. Psalm 19:8 tells us, “the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.” They are not arbitrary rules, but perfect, consistent expressions of God’s righteousness and truth. The psalmist also states in Psalm 119:86 that God’s commandments are “faithful”, meaning they are trustworthy and dependable. In Psalm 119:151, they are described as being “truth”, and in Psalm 119:172, as “righteousness”. Every one of God’s commandments reflects His perfect nature, and reveals His wisdom and holiness to those who obey them. 

Furthermore, God’s commandments are like lamps that shine light on our path, helping us to get through life’s uncertainties and darkness. Proverbs 6:23 says, “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light”. Just as a lamp illuminates our way in physical darkness, God’s commandments illuminate our spiritual journey, guiding us away from sin and towards righteousness.

Given the goodness, purity, and truthfulness of God’s commandments, it is crucial that we do not forsake them. Instead, like the psalmist, we should earnestly desire to know and follow them. All those who obey God’s commandments will undoubtedly be preserved from the errors, guilt, shame of sinful temptations and spiritual ignorance. Above all, they will be led in God’s perfect wisdom, righteousness, and blessings.

25th Bible Witness Retreat Participants’ Testimonies (II)

Doreen Ng

I have learnt many spiritual lessons from Pastor Koshy’s exposition of the theme on “The God of Covenant” in the 25th Bible Witness Retreat. This doctrine of divine covenant depicts God as sovereign, gracious and unchanging. It gives me great assurance that I can hold onto God’s unbreakable New Covenant in a world filled with challenges and uncertainties. 

The messages caused me to pause and think about God as He has revealed Himself in His covenants, and thus be grateful for the covenantal relationship that He has established in Christ with me. This relationship takes me on a journey of discovering more about God and His plan for me. Understanding and embracing the truths of God in His covenants not only enlighten my spiritual eyes, but also have the effect of encouraging me to continue being instructed more perfectly in His Word and to endure in faith to the end. The eternal life in Christ is the ultimate benefit of His covenants (cf. 2 Peter 1: 4).

Randy Laurencio 

Through this 25th BW Retreat, I learn that God reveals Himself through His covenant to His chosen people. I was truly awed, through all the messages, by the reminder of how sinful I am but yet God has chosen me to be His child. I am very blessed to learn of the matchless magnanimity of our God in His covenants. He was so gracious to engraft us Gentiles, the branches of the wild olive tree, to that natural olive tree, even Israel. I cannot fathom the deepness of His love towards Israel and towards us, believers in Christ in this present age. He is so merciful and unchanging in His love towards me, despite my many shortcomings and sins. 

I confess that I have been taking for granted all His benefits and goodness towards me. I realise I have indeed abused His kindness and blessings towards me because of my selfishness, my short-sightedness and my lack of faith and trust in Him. May He forgive me for not having fully entrusted my life to Him. May I be moulded and changed to fully surrender my life to Him. The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob is also my God, and I love Him and His words because He first loved me. He has fulfilled His ultimate promise to save me from my sins through the death on the cross of His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed, “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32). He is able to fulfil all His promises towards me and to all His people, because He is the Almighty God. 

As for my response, I pray that I will fully trust in Him and walk according to His ways and precepts, that I will follow Him knowing that He is always there to restore and help me. While He has promised that He is able to provide for all our needs, I am most comforted by His promise in 1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Reuel Resuma

I thank God for giving me the opportunity to attend the recent 25th Bible Witness Retreat, and especially for the preaching of His Word on the topic, “The God of Covenant”, which was expounded to us by Pastor. 

A brief summary of what I have learned from the retreat is that God is faithful in keeping His covenant and fulfils all that He has promised. Also, God’s covenants are unilateral, meaning that He alone sovereignly initiates the covenant, and graciously extends the covenant to whomsoever He wills, and exercises His authority over it and enforces its blessing and curse. These are evident in all of the biblical covenants, such as the Adamic Covenant, Noahic Covenant, Abrahamic Covenant, Mosaic Covenant, Davidic Covenant and the New Covenant.

Before the fall, God had established a covenant with Adam and Eve known as the “Covenant of Works”. This is God’s covenant with Adam and Eve, wherein He commanded them that they could eat of any tree in the Garden of Eden except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. For if they did, they would die (cf. Genesis 2:16-17). Although they disobeyed God’s covenant, God graciously initiated another covenant, which is known as the “Covenant of Grace”. All covenants that God has extended to man after the fall are part of the “Covenant of Grace”. And it all started with Genesis 3:15 – “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”

Finally, I learn that God has established a New Covenant, and the ratification of this occurred when Jesus died on the cross and shed His blood for us. The New Covenant also talks of God restoring His people, Israel – which is nothing like the previous covenants, for all of them would know God, and His law would be in their hearts which will culminate in Christ’s millennial reign on earth (Jeremiah 31:31-34).

All glory be to God!