Posts Tagged: ‘Romans’

The Rule of Law

[A devotional reflection originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during July 2024]

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.
Psalm 119 v18 [NIVUK]

When, last year, the then Polish government took some actions that were contrary to the expectations of the European Commission the Poles were accused of defying the ‘rule of law’. Whose law were they breaking? Surely, as an independent sovereign state, they were entitled to make their own laws. What is ‘the rule of law’ anyway? (more…)

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Contributor: Steve Humphreys
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What Comes After Pentecost?

[This reflection by Michael Goble was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 02/Jun/2024]

Martin’s article last week reminded me that the previous week had been about the Jewish Feast or Festival of Pentecost. I had been ill that day and not been at church to be reminded of that. That also made me think of an excellent article by Helen Ruffhead in which she told how a number of Jewish Festivals related to our Christian faith. At Pentecost when the Jews celebrated the revelation of God’s word to Moses, God revealed His Holy Spirit and the Christian church was born. So how do all these Jewish Feasts or Festivals have meaning for us as Christians? (more…)

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Contributor: Michael Goble
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Did We Get It Wrong, Again?

[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during April 2024]

Did we get it wrong, again? Depending upon what ‘it’ is, the answer is very probably “Yes”. The apostle Paul knew the feeling:

Instead of doing what I know is right, I do wrong.
  Romans 7 v19 [CEV]

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Contributor: Steve Humphreys
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Why?

[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during March 2024]

Why do bad things happen to good people?

This question was prompted by the news that two former members of HBC, both of whom played significant roles in the life of the church in times past, are now facing serious health issues. In this week’s ‘Yours’ Chris alludes to a similar circumstance. The question is not new, it is one that has been asked by many people over a long period of time. Solomon contributed to the debate with his assertion:

There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth: the righteous who get what the wicked deserve, and the wicked who get what the righteous deserve. Ecclesiastes 8 v14 [NIVUK]

In attempting to answer this question, it might be easier to address the parallel question first. Why do good things happen to bad people? Why is so much ‘good luck’ being wasted on those that do not deserve it? Why are we having to struggle when ‘sinners’ seem to have an easy life?

Job had some similar questions: “Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?” “Why does the Almighty not set times for judgment? Why must those who know him look in vain for such days?”[1]

In his sermon on the mount, Jesus spoke about God the Father, saying: “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”[2] But this description of God’s impartiality does not answer the “Why?”

The apostle Paul offered an answer: “God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance”.[3] But does it? We take God’s blessings for granted so often that he has to try another approach. That brings us back to the original question.

Are there times when you feel tempted to ask “Lord, whose side are you on?”. Certainly king Hezekiah must have felt like that as he saw the army of Sennacherib king of Assyria advancing on Jerusalem, He had already unsuccessfully tried appeasement so he resorted to more desperate measures. He went to the Temple and appealed for God’s help. Surely he should have done that first; certainly it is an example that we should follow more often.

Can we echo the Psalmist’s words?

It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. Psalm 119 v71-72 [ESVUK]

Does that suggest an answer for us? Could it be that the adversities that we experience are intended to bring us closer to God?

Chris concluded her thoughts with some other well-known words from Paul. It is appropriate to repeat them here:

We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are chosen to be a part of His plan Romans 8 v28 [NLV]

References:
[1] Job 21 v7, Job 24 v1
[2] Matthew 5 v45
[3] Romans 2 v4

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Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.

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Last week’s reflection: Let Lying Dogs Sleep
 

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Contributor: Steve Humphreys
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Trust

[This reflection by Chris Ginter was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 17/Mar/2024]

In returning and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.
Isaiah 30 v15 [NKJV]

After spending 6 months trying to fathom out what on earth is going on with my body, fighting illness and not being able to fully participate in all sorts of activities that I’m used to, I have come to the conclusion that I really do need to trust Jesus more.

I can glibly say, I trust Jesus, but to be totally honest, if I’m truthful, it’s not that easy. Or it is easy when I’m feeling well and sickness hasn’t presented its head that day. So my attitude has become, Lord I really don’t understand what’s going on right now but I give it all to you, show me Lord how to handle the present circumstances over to you.

Even though it all looks like nothing seems to be going forward – it’s amazing when I cry out to you and ask for help and really surrender, God seems to break through with simple answers and doors open that no man can shut.

So as I move forward in the days ahead in whatever life style and activities God has for me, I’m learning to take one step at a time. I really don’t like cancelling plans and letting people down but in the process God seems to be bringing me face to face with new opportunities to have contact with folk that I would never have come close to before.

Romans 8 v28 has come to the forefront of my thinking again.

All things work together for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purposes.

So you could say, where I was floundering, I’m trying to leave all things in God’s hands.

Resources:
[1]

Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.

Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.

~~~~~~~~~
HBC logo Horley Baptist Church online
HBC main site
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Last week’s reflection: Freedom From Fear Of People by Helen Ruffhead
 

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Contributor: Chris Ginter
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Advent

[This reflection was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 08/Dec/2019]

Advent: The Season of Hope and Expectation
It’s hard to believe that we are now just a few weeks away from Christmas! The usual flurry of decorations, lights, cards, present-buying and menu-planning fight for our thoughts and attention, despite that we said we would be ahead of the game this time (well, I did)! Each year I too get caught up in this whirlwind of activity, and my appreciation of the Advent season and the real meaning of Christmas can take backstage instead of centre stage.

But I set out with intentionality this year, to change pace, to grow in my relationship with God, to “listen” more for what he is saying to me, to us, to “see” more of where he is working in my church, my family, my own life, to “enquire” more of His heartbeat for our world, to be “present” more to his presence within and around me. Whether aided by this process I am not sure, but my thoughts seem to be constantly taking me to the Kingdom of God – what does it look like, am I walking in it, do I notice it around me, do I see it in others?

I think we often think of the Kingdom of God as something mainly “to come” or “in the future”. For now, we live in this fallen world but when Christ returns, he will bring the Kingdom with Him – some refer to it as “the now and not yet of the Kingdom of God”. It’s easy to feel like that when we look at our world which, at times, feels like it is imploding under the burden of sin, wars, pain, politics – not to mention our physical planet which is suffering and shrinking under the effects of plastic over-use, global warming, tree deforestation and more. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. (Romans 8:22)

And yet we read in Mark’s gospel that “The time has come,” and “the Kingdom of God has come near”. Note the words has come, not is coming! I believe we see or bring the Kingdom each time we help one another, pray for each other, bless people, listen to our God. The Kingdom comes with the birth of a baby, knit together in the Mother’s womb, a miracle in the making. The Kingdom comes when we walk alongside another in their pain, their spiritual journey. The Kingdom comes when we use our voices to stand up for what is right, to support those who don’t have a voice – the poor, the weak, the unborn child, the sick. The Kingdom has come in the heart and spirit of every Christian, and everywhere we go, we take the Kingdom with us. Romans 14:17 says “For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit …”

As we journey through ‘Adventus’, which means ‘come’, let us pray “Maranatha” which means ‘Come, Lord Jesus’. As we do this and our prayers rise to heaven, we invite the Kingdom to come more and more. And let us not forget that, to Jesus’ disciples (us), He has not only come, but He stayed and dwells permanently in our hearts. The Kingdom of God is that near!
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Contributor: Lesley Edwards
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