(From the sermon entitled, “Ang Mabuting Kagamutan sa Pagtuturo ng Bibloia” for dates March 26 and 29, 2015)

It is very difficult for anyone to get sick nowadays. Aside from the financial aspect, it creates a chain of disastrous effect in the human anatomy. No wonder people seek any sort of remedy just to feel better and get well.

We believe that God is the one who gives the disease to people. He makes us wounded and He is the one who heals us. The Bible tells us, ““See now that I myself am he! There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand.” (Deuteronomy 32:39) God gives us sufferings and He takes away all of it.

We also believe that medical doctors are God’s instruments to cure people from sickness. Sickness, according to experts does not only affect the physical body of a person. It extends to man’s emotional and psychological side. Depression usually leads to more complications. Diseases get worst if depression is present.

If we ask the Bible, it says that a happy heart helps a person to get well. It says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine…” (Proverbs 17:22) Many experts prove that having a happy heart can cure a disease.

Psychologists who study science of happiness believe that a positive actions such as laughing produces happiness. Constant laughing creates a chain of effect in the body and helps a lot in improving its physical and psychological health. It reduces the level of hormones and cortisol. Cortisol is a type of stress-induced chemical that leads to heart attacks, increase of blood pressure and excess belly fat. Laughing also helps in strengthening the immune system and increases the production of the antibodies in our saliva and blood streams to fight bacteria, virus and parasites.

Even the Bible attested to this. The Bible says, “…but heartache crushes the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:13) When there is heartache, the inner being of a person is crushed and looses the ability to think positively and be happy. A person who is always crushed because of sufferings thinks that it is not good. They do not see the benefit of sufferings. They do not see what will sufferings make them. The Bible says, “All the days of the oppressed are wretched…” (Proverbs 15:15)

Science tells us that constant stress can break a person not only in the inner side but as well as in the physical aspect. Stresses make a person sterile and increase the rate of aging. The Bible conforms to these findings. The experts and the Bible is in unity in saying that having a negative heart, constant stress and a heart that is always wretched can harm us physically and emotionally. However, they also in unity in saying that having a cheerful heart is the best medicine.

Though sufferings are inevitable, how they affect us plays an important part. Servants of God feel joy and happiness amidst the many sufferings they have encountered in life, because they have faith, they trust God in everything they do. A true servant, who has been taught of the values and doctrines of God, and knows the teachings about sufferings, faces the sufferings with wisdom and courage no matter how hard and heavy they are. A servant treats all these sufferings as tests of faith to determine how much is their faith in the almighty God (1 Peter 1:6).

The key to having a happy and peaceful heart amidst sufferings lies on our hope and faith in God. Anyone who has an absolute faith and trust in God will always look on the positive side of what is happening with his life. And since that we are always positive in all ways, we do not let any negativity arises in every occasion.

We make sure that things that can create negative thoughts, feelings and actions, that can lead to unwanted sufferings are avoided. People who are self conceited, unforgiving and envious of others are those who always feel negative thoughts. Those who are unforgiving will always be hunted by being unforgiving. Those who are envious of what others may have will never be satisfied. Those who are self-conceited will always be insecure.

Servants of God are avoiding these negative characters. We should not measure or compare others with our selves. We are unique in the eyes of God. For example, if we are always worried abut our life’s situation, we will never be happy. If we do not learn to be contented in life, we cannot avoid stress.

However, learning to have a cheerful heart will give us a lot of benefits. Aside from the physiological effects of being happy, having a happy heart let us behave according to the will of God. The Bible tells us, “For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.” (Proverbs 2:10)

And so, it is very important to maintain a cheerful heart. Not only that it gives us cure, but also by being happy and peaceful in many ways, we can create friends and not enemies, not only to other people but especially to all faithful. Apostle Paul explains this, “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like- minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:” (Philippians 2:1-5)

If we have positive outlook in life, especially in the spiritual aspect, we can see its good effects in our selves, not only in our physical health, but as well as to our souls. The key here is to accept things that we cannot change, to have courage to change the things that we can and to have the wisdom to know the difference (Reinhold Niebuhr).

(Filipino Translations)

Mahirap magkasakit lalo na sa panahong ito. Bukod sa pinansiyal na aspeto, ang pagkakasakit ay nagdudulot ng mabigat na dalahin sa kalooban. Subalit bilang laman, hindi naman natin sadyang maiiwasan ang pagkakaroon ng karamdaman. Alam nating ang bawat karamdaman ay may dahilan. Kung minsan, tayo mismo ang may kasalanan ng pagkakasakit. At kung minsan, kalooban ito ng Dios na ating maranasan.

Ang Dios ang nagbibigay ng karamdaman.

Siya ang sumusugat at Siya din ang nagpapagaling. Gaya nang sinabi, “Tingnan ninyo ngayon, na ako, sa makatuwid baga’y ako nga, At walang dios sa akin: Ako’y pumapatay, at ako’y bumubuhay; Ako’y ang sumusugat, at ako’y ang nagpapagaling: At walang makaliligtas sa aking kamay.” (Deut. 32:39). Samakatuwid, nasa kapangyarihan ng Dios na ang isang tao ay magtaglay ng karamdaman, at Siya din ang may kapangyarihan na magbigay lunas dito.

Kung nagmula sa Dios ang bawat karamdamang tinataglay nating mga tao, hindi nagpabaya ang Dios upang hindi natin makita ang kagamutan. Maaaring may karamdamang kung tawagin ay terminal o ikamamatay. Ang ganitong karamdaman ay wala nang lunas at kasangkapan na Niya upang wakasan ang buhay ng sinuman.

Mayroong karamdamang may lunas. Naniniwala tayo na ang mga manggagamot na nagpakadalubhasa sa pagaaral sa panggagamot ay mga kasangkapan ng Dios sa ikalulunas ng karamdaman ng nakararaming mga tao. Sa pagaaral ng maraming mga eksperto, ang karamdamang pisikal ng tao ay hindi lamang nagdudulot ng epekto sa pisikal na katawan ng tao. Ang karamdamang pisikal ay maaari ding makaapekto sa emosyunal at kaisipan ng may sakit. Karaniwan, pangunahin ang depresyon na nagdudulot ng lalong paglala ng karamdaman. Kapag patuloy na naranasan ang depresyon, ito ang nagiging sanhi upang lalong lumubha ang sakit.

Kung Biblia ang tatanungin, sumasangayon ito sa kasabihan, na “laughter is the best medicine.” Sinabi ng Biblia, “Ang masayang puso ay mabuting kagamutan…” (Kawikaan 17:22) Pinatutunayan ng maraming eksperto sa ngayon na malaki ang kaugnayan sa ikagagaling ng karamdaman ng pagkakaroon ng masayang puso o kalooban.

Ang mga Psychologists na nagaaral ng Science of Happiness ay naniniwala na ang pagkakaroon ng positibong gawi gaya ng pagtawa ay nakapagbibigay ng kasiyahan. Ang pagtawa ay nakapagbibigaya ng sunod-sunod na reaksiyon sa katawan na nakakatulong sa pisikal at psikolohikal na kalusugan nito. Ang palagiang pagtawa ay nakapagpapalayo sa karamdaman at nagbibigay din ng kalunasan. Ibinababa nito ang hormones at ang cortisol levels. Ang cortisol ay isang uri ng stress-induced chemical na maaaring magbigay ng sakit sa puso, pagtaas ng blood pressure at excess belly fat. Nakakatulong din ang pagtawa sa pagpapalakas ng immune system sapagkat pinatataas nito ang produksiyon ng mga antibodies sa ating laway at sa daluyan ng ating dugo upang labanan ang mga bacteria, virus at parasites.

Kung Biblia naman ang magpapahayag, ang pagiging malungkutin naman o palagiang nasa pagdadalalamhati ay hindi nagdudulot ng mabuti sa ating katawan. Sinabi ng Biblia, “…sa kapanglawan ng puso ay nababagbag ang diwa.” (Kawikaan 15:13) Magulo at masalimuot ang kalooban kapag ang puso ay nasa kapanglawan. Gayundin ipinahayag ng Biblia, “Lahat ng mga araw sa nagdadalamhati ay masama…” (Kawikaan 15:15) Kapag ang tao ay nasa pagdadalahamhati, para sa kaniya ito ay isang kasamaan.

Ang medisina ay nagpahayag na ang pagkakaroon ng maraming stress ay nagbibigay ng masamang epekto sa kalusugan ng tao. Ang matagalang pagkaka-expose sa stress o yaong tinatawag na chronic stress ay lubhang mapanganib sa kalusugan ng katawan. Nakapagpapataas ito ng blood pressure, pinahihinto ang pagiging aktibo ng ating immune system, nagiging daan ng atake sa puso, stroke, pagkabaog at pinabibilis ang pagtanda.

Hindi nakapagtataka na ito ang matuklasan ng mga eksperto sapagkat malaon nang panahon na ipinahayag ito ng mga salita ng Dios. Samakatuwid, and mga ekperto at ang Biblia ay nagkakaisa sa pahayag na ang pagkakaroon ng masayang puso ay mabuting kagamutan para sa ating mga tao.

Sa katotohanan, hindi natin maiiwasan ang maraming pagsubok, kadalamhatian sa buhay at iba pang nagdudulot ng kalumbayan sa tao. Subalit natutunan ng mga lingkod na harapin nang matiwasay ang bawat pagsubok na ito sa kanilang buhay. Taglay ang kapayapaang mula sa Dios, matapang nilang hinaharap ang mga ito, sapagkat mayroon silang pagasa at pananampalataya sa Dios.

Maraming bagay na tunay na nakapagbibigay ng stress o kabalisahan sa ating buhay subalit ang mga ito ay inaaari nating pagsubok na kaloob ng Dios upang mapatunayan ang taglay nating pananampalataya (1 Pedro 1:6). Lahat ng pagsubok ay matapang at may kagalakang hinaharap ng mga lingkod. Inaari nilang kabanalan kung ito ay kanilang malagpasan.

Ang susi sa pagkakaroon ng kagalakan at katiwasayan ng kalooban ng mga lingkod, sa kabila ng maraming mga kadalamhatian sa buhay ay nakasalig sa pagasa at pananampalataya. Mayroong silang positibong pananaw sa lahat ng bagay na kanilang nararanasan sa buhay. At dahil positibo, iniiwasan nila ang mga bagay maaaring magbigay sa kanila ng maling pananaw o negatibo.

Dahil dito iniiwasan nilang madama ang mga bagay na magbibigay lamang sa kanila ng ibayong kalumbayan na maaaring magbigay sa kanila ng karamdaman. Ilan sa halimbawa ay ang pagpapalalo, pagtatanim at pananaghili. Ang taong nagtatanim ng galit sa kaniyang kapuwa ay karaniwang walang kapayapaan sa sarili. Ang taong naiinggit sa ginhawang nararanasan ng kaniyang kapuwa ay nagdudulot din sa kaniya ng psikolohikal na stress. Maging ang mga taong palalo ay nakadadama ng malaking kakulangan sa kanilang kalooban.

Hindi dapat maging ganito ang pananaw ng mga lingkod ng Dios. Hindi natin dapat sukatin o ikumpara ang ating sarili sa ibang tao. Ang kawalan ng kasiyahan sa ating kalagayan ay karaniwang nagiging daan din ng maraming stress sa buhay. At tanging silang walang kasiyahan sa puso ang hindi makakaiwas sa ganitong kalagayan.

Ano ang maaaring idulot ng pagkakaroon ng masayang puso, bukod sa mayroon itong positibong epekto sa kalusugan nating mga tao?

Sinabi ng Biblia, “Sapagka’t karunungan ay papasok sa iyong puso, at kaalaman ay magiging ligaya sa iyong kaluluwa.” (Kawikaan 2:10) Ang taong taglay ang masayang puso, na siyang kagamutang mula sa Dios ay nagtataglay ng tunay na unawa, ng tunay na kaalaman at katuwiran. Ito ang nagiging kalasag sa pagtatapat ng isang lingkod, “Kaniyang pinapagtataglay ang matuwid ng magaling na karunungan, siya’y kalasag sa nagsisilakad sa pagtatapat.”(Kawikaan 2:7)

Kaya’t mahalaga ang pagkakaroon ng masayang puso sapagkat ito ay makakatulong sa pagkakaroon ng pakikipagkaisa sa lahat ng tao, lalo na sa mga kasambahay sa pananampalataya. Gaya nang pahayag ni Apostol Pablo, “Kaya nga kung mayroong anomang kasiglahan kay Cristo, kung mayroong anomang kaaliwan ng pagibig, kung mayroong anomang pakikisama ng Espiritu, kung mayroong anomang mahinahong awa at habag, Ay lubusin ninyo ang aking katuwaan, upang kayo’y mangagkaisa ng pagiisip, mangagtaglay ng isa ring pagibig, na mangagkaisa ng akala, at isa lamang pagiisip; Na huwag ninyong gawin ang anoman sa pamamagitan ng pagkakampikampi o sa pamamagitan ng pagpapalalo, kundi sa kababaan ng pagiisip, na ipalagay ng bawa’t isa ang iba na lalong mabuti kay sa kaniyang sarili; Huwag tingnan ng bawa’t isa sa inyo ang sa kaniyang sarili, kundi ang bawa’t isa naman ay sa iba’t iba. Mangagkaroon kayo sa inyo ng pagiisip, na ito’y na kay Cristo Jesus din naman.” (Filipos 2:1-5)

Kung positibo ang pananaw natin sa buhay, lalo na sa espirituwal na bahagi ng ating buhay, makikita natin ang mabuting epekto nito sa ating sarili, hindi lamang sa ating kalusugan, kundi higit sa lahat sa bahagi ng ating kaluluwa. Matitiyak nating anumang karamdaman ang maaari nating taglayin ay magkakaroon ito ng mabuting lunas.

Samakatuwid, pisikal man o sa bahagi ng espirituwal, malaki ang pakinabang ng pagkakaroon ng masayang puso. Ang kailangan lamang ay matagpuan natin ang susi ng tunay na kasiyahan sa puso sa kabila ng maraming kapighatian na ating nararanasan sa buhay. Laksan natin ang ating loob, dinaig ni Kristo ang sanlibutan – Juan 16:33.

(From the sermon entitled, “Ang Ginawa ng Dios sa Kaniyang Pagkakatawang-tao na Marapat Tularan ng Kaniyang mga Lingkod” for April 2, 2015)

Many verses of the Bible will prove the truth about the manifestation of God in flesh through Jesus Christ. This may sound ridiculous to some skeptics and scholars of the Bible, however, to us, who believe in the deity of Christ, it is very clear that this is what the Bible is telling us about the mystery of His godliness, that He manifest Himself in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16).

In the beginning of the book of John, we can see how God made Himself appear in form of the flesh. It was stated there that word who is God, was manifested in the flesh through Christ Jesus. It is written there, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1-2,14)

“The word became flesh and dwelt among us.” This is a powerful verse that proves that God, who is the word, made Himself appear as a flesh like us. That verse is the fulfillment of the prophesy in the Old Testament. It was written, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14) This verse was fulfilled in Matthew 1:23, which says, ““The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”)

Isaiah made the same prophesy in Isaiah 9:6, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Notice the child is the mighty God and the everlasting Father.

Can God be born? The Bible says in Micah 5:2, that He came from evelasting, “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah,

though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” God has no beginning; therefore, He came from everlasting. How come He was born in the flesh? He needed to become flesh that is why He was born in the flesh. He used the normal process of creation, through birth.

To give proof that God has no beginning, David says, “Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” (Psalms 90:2) God needed to become flesh for a special purpose, which He decided for Himself. Apostle Paul mentioned this in his letter; “he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:9)

The amazing works and wonders that Christ had shown maybe a mystery to others, but to us, it proves that He is God incarnate, God who makes Himself a man. But, is Christ a real man? Yes, Christ is a man, but not like us. He is a man because He made Himself like a man. His original form is not a man. He is God who dwells in us like a man.

Christ’s stories tell us about His great works and give proof of His deity.

No man can walk in water. There were some who made it in the movies and films, but they are all illusions and camera tricks. There is also a monk who can run (not walk) on water, but underneath the water is a long wooden bridge and can be clearly seen from afar. Jesus walk on water. We can read in John 6:19-20, “When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.”

Job tells us about God’s character in Job 9:8, “By whose hand the heavens were stretched out, and who is walking on the waves of the sea.” If God can walk in the waves of the sea, and Christ walked on the water, then who is Christ to you?

No man can command wind and ocean waves. Only God can do this. David says, “Who makes the loud voice of the sea quiet, and puts an end to the sound of its waves.” (Psalms 65:7) Even the fire, rain of ice, snow and mist does the words of God (Psalms 148:8).

Did Christ command these elements? And did these elements follow Him? In Mark 4:37-39, we can read, “And a great storm of wind came up, and the waves came into the boat, so that the boat was now becoming full. And he himself was in the back of the boat, sleeping on the cushion: and they, awaking him, said, Master, is it nothing to you that we are in danger of destruction? And he came out of his sleep, and gave strong orders to the wind, and said to the sea, Peace, be at rest. And the wind went down, and there was a great calm.”

If Christ can order the sea and wind to be at rest and God does the same, then who is Christ to you?

No man knows the contents of the heart and thoughts of anyone. Only God knows everything. David says, “the Lord —knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.” (Psalms 94:11)

Can Jesus read the mind of anyone? What can we find in the Bible? John 21:17 states, “The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Does Jesus really know all things? Can he know the hearts and thoughts of men? We can read in John 2:24-25, “But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people. He did not need anyone to testify about man, for he knew what was in man.”

If only God knows everything and Christ Jesus knows all things, then who is Jesus to you?

If the attributes of Christ and the Father are the same, does God allow that anyone be like Him? The Bible says no. It was written, “To whom can you compare and liken me? Tell me whom you think I resemble, so we can be compared. Let the things which are past come to your memory: for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like me.” (Isaiah 46:5,9)

The Father does not allow anyone to be like Him, however Christ possesses all His attributes. That makes Christ and the Father, one. (John 10:30)

It is very clear that God does not allow anyone to be like Him. That means He does not allow any other God besides Him. However, God would love to see that we imitate His actions and lessons upon His manifestation as a flesh.

Apostle Paul tells us, “Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus, To whom, though himself in the form of God, it did not seem that to take for oneself was to be like God; But he made himself as nothing, taking the form of a servant, being made like men; And being seen in form as a man, he took the lowest place, and let himself be put to death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8) God wants us to become like Him in the sense that we learn the humility that He had set before us. He wants us to become obedient of His will, walking in humility according to His pleasure.

No master will ever serve his servants, and Christ set an example to follow. He washed the feet of His disciples and served them. This is what God wants us to imitate in His manifestation in the flesh, that is, to learn how to accept and serve one another as He had shown us (John 13:13-15, “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you”)

Christ suffered afflictions. He was hurt, persecuted and hated. However, He accepted all these sufferings. God wants us to imitate this example, that no matter how harsh we suffer from other people, we learn to let the hands of God decide. We do not take revenge, because revenge is only for God (1 Peter 2:21-23).

Most of all, God wants us to be forgiving in all situations. We ‘ve got to have a low heart, and a big heart too, so that we can learn how to open it out for forgiveness. The Bible commands us, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13)

If we learn how to imitate God’s examples through Christ, then we could prove that we are indeed His servants, worthy of being called His children, and heirs to His promise, the eternal life. The Bible says, ““A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)

(Filipino Translations)

Sa maraming talata ng Biblia ay ating mauunawaan ang katotohanan ng pagkakatawang-tao ng Dios sa pamamagitan ng Panginoong Hesus. Hindi man ito maging katanggap-tanggap sa maraming nagbabasa ng Biblia at sa mga hindi naniniwala, datapuwat sa ating kumikilala ay maliwanag na ito ay isa sa mga hiwaga ng Kaniyang pagka-Dios.

Sa umpisa pa lamang ng aklat na isinulat ni Apostol Juan ay makikita natin ang kahayagan ng Kaniyang pagkakatawang tao. Niliwanag sa unang talata nito ang pagkakatawang tao ng salita. Ang salita o ang verbo ay ang Dios, at ang salita na ito ay nagkatawang tao sa pamamagitan ng Panginoong Hesus. Gaya nang sinabi, “Nang pasimula siya ang Verbo, at ang Verbo ay sumasa Dios, at ang Verbo ay Dios. Ito rin nang pasimula’y sumasa Dios.” (Juan 1:1-2) “At nagkatawang- tao ang Verbo, at tumahan sa gitna natin (at nakita namin ang kaniyang kaluwalhatian, kaluwalhatian gaya ng sa bugtong ng Ama), na puspos ng biyaya at katotohanan” (Juan 1:14)

Ang kaganapang ito ay mula sa katuparan ng hula ng Propeta Isaias, na isang dalaga ang maglilihi at ang manganganak ng isang lalake. Ang hulang ito ay nagkaroon ng katuparan sa Panginoong Hesus. Siya ang Dios na nagkatawang-tao. Sinabi ng Biblia, “Kaya’t ang Panginoon nga ay magbibigay sa inyo ng tanda; narito, isang dalaga ay maglilihi, at manganganak ng isang lalake, at tatawagin ang kaniyang pangalan na Emmanuel.” (Isaias 7:14) Ang katuparan ng hulang ito ay ating mababasa sa Mateo 1:23 na sinasabi, “Narito, ang dalaga’y magdadalang- tao at manganganak ng isang lalake, At ang pangalang itatawag nila sa kaniya ay Emmanuel; na kung liliwanagin, ay sumasa atin ang Dios.”

Dagdag pa dito ang sinabi ni Propeta Isaias, “Sapagka’t sa atin ay ipinanganak ang isang bata, sa atin ay ibinigay ang isang anak na lalake; at ang pamamahala ay maaatang sa kaniyang balikat:at ang kaniyang pangalan ay tatawaging Kamanghamangha, Tagapayo, Makapangyarihang Dios, Walang hanggang Ama, Pangulo ng Kapayapaan.” (Isaias 9:6) Pansinin natin ang katangian ng batang ipinanganak ayon kay Isaias, ito ang Makapangyarihang Dios at Walang Hanggang Ama.

Tunay bang ipinanganak ang Dios? Sa katotohanan, ayon sa Mikas 5:2, “Nguni’t ikaw, Beth- lehem Ephrata, na maliit upang lumagay sa libolibo ng Juda, mula sa iyo ay lalabas sa akin ang isa na magpupuno sa Israel; na ang pinagbuhatan niya ay mula nang una, mula nang walang hanggan.” Walang pinagmulan ang Dios, Siya ay mula nang walang hanggan. Subalit kailangan Niyang ipanganak sapagkat magkakatawang tao nga. Ginamit Niya ang normal na proseso ng paglikha, ang normal na pagkapanganak ng isang sanggol.

Upang patunayan na walang hanggan ang Kaniyang pasimula, sinabi din ni David, “Bago nalabas ang mga bundok, O bago mo nilikha ang lupa at ang sanglibutan, mula nga ng walang pasimula hanggang sa walang hanggan, ikaw ang Dios.” (Awit 90:2) Kinailangan lamang Niyang magkatawang tao sapagkat mayroong sunod sunod na layunin na kailangan Niyang isakatuparan mismo ng Kaniyang sarili. At ito ay ipinasiya Niya sa Kaniyang sarili gaya nang pahayag ni Apostol Pablo, “Na ipinakikilala niya sa atin ang hiwaga ng kaniyang kalooban, ayon sa kaniyang minagaling na ipinasiya niya sa kaniya rin.” (Efeso 1:9)

Ang mga kagilagilas na gawa at pangyayaring nakapaloob sa pagkakatawang-tao ng Panginoong Hesus ay magpapatunay na Siya ay ang Dios na nagkatawang-tao. Si Kristo ba ay tao? Si Kristo ay tao sapagkat Siya ay nagkatawang-tao, subalit Siya ay hindi tao sa katutubong kalagayan. Siya ay Dios na nagkatawang tao.

Ilan sa halimbawa ng mga dakilang tanda at gawa ng Panginoong Hesus na nagpapatunay ng Kaniyang pagka-Dios ay ang mga sumusunod:

Walang tao na may kakayanan na lumakad sa alon ng dagat. Maaaring mayroong mga gumagawa nito sa panahong ito. Subalit ang mga ito ay mga ilusyon lamang ng camera at dinadaya ang mga nakapanonood nito. Ang Panginoong Hesus ay lumakad sa tubig. Mababasa ito sa Juan 6:19-20, “Nang sila nga’y mangakagaod na ng may dalawangpu’t lima o tatlongpung estadio, ay kanilang nakita si Jesus na lumalakad sa ibabaw ng dagat, at lumalapit sa daong:at sila’y nangahintakutan. Datapuwa’t sinabi niya sa kanila, Ako nga; huwag kayong mangatakot.”

Magugunita nating ang lalaking si Job ay nagpahayag ng kakayahan ng Dios, “Na nagiisang inuunat ang langit, at tumutungtong sa mga alon ng dagat.” (Job 9:8)

Walang tao na may kakayahang utusan ang hangin at ang dagat. Dios lamang ang makagagawa nito, at ito ay ginawa ng Panginoong Hesus. Katunayan, mababasa sa Marcos 4:37-39, “At nagbangon ang isang malakas na bagyo, at sinasalpukan ang daong ng mga alon, na ano pa’t ang daong ay halos natitigib. At siya’y natutulog sa hulihan sa ibabaw ng kutson; at siya’y ginising nila, at sinabi sa kaniya, Guro, wala bagang anoman sa iyo na mapahamak tayo? At gumising siya, at sinaway ang hangin, at sinabi sa dagat, Pumayapa, tumahimik ka. At humimpil ang hangin, at humusay na totoo ang panahon.”

Upang patunayan na Dios lamang ang may kapangyarihang makagawa nito, sinabi ni David, “Na nagpapatigil ng hugong ng mga dagat, ng hugong ng kanilang mga alon, at ng kaingay ng mga bayan.” (Awit 65:7) Maging ang apoy, granizo, nieve at singaw, o maging ang unos na hangin, gumaganap ng Kaniyang mga salita (Awit 148:8)

Walang tao na may kakayahang malaman ang lahat ng bagay, makabasa ng kalooban at kaisipan ng sinuman. Tanging Dios lamang ang makagagawa nito. Ang Panginoong Hesus ba ay ganito? Sinabi ng Biblia, “Sinabi niya sa kaniya sa ikatlo, Simon, anak ni Juan, Iniibig mo baga ako? Nalumbay si Pedro sapagka’t sa kaniya’y sinabing makaitlo, Iniibig mo baga ako? At sinabi niya sa kaniya, Panginoon, nalalaman mo ang lahat ng mga bagay; nalalaman mo na kita’y iniibig…” (Juan 21:17) 

Pinatunayan din ito sa mga talatang Juan 2:24-25 na sinasabi, “Datapuwa’t si Jesus sa kaniyang sarili ay hindi rin nagkatiwala sa kanila, sapagka’t nakikilala niya ang lahat ng mga tao, Sapagka’t hindi niya kinakailangan na ang sinoman ay magpatotoo tungkol sa tao; sapagka’t nalalaman nga niya ang isinasaloob ng tao.”

Dios lamang ang maaaring makaalam ng nasa kalooban ng bawat tao. Ayon kay David, “Nalalaman ng Panginoon ang mga pagiisip ng tao…” (Awit 94:11) 

Ang mga katangian ng Panginoong Hesus ay kagaya ng katangian ng Dios. Pumapayag ba ang Dios na may kagaya? Ang sagot ng Biblia ay hindi. Katunayan mababasa natin sa Isaias 46: 5, 9, “Kanino ninyo ako itutulad, at ipaparis, at iwawangis ako, upang kami ay magkagaya. Inyong alalahanin ang mga dating bagay ng una:sapagka’t ako’y Dios, at walang iba liban sa akin; ako’y Dios, at walang gaya ko.” 

Kung gayon, maliwanag sa Biblia na ang Dios ay hindi pumapayag na magkaroon ng kagaya Niya. Ang Panginoong Hesus ay taglay ang mga katangiang tanging Dios lamang ang makapagtataglay. Nangangahulugang si Kristo at ang Ama ay IISA (Juan 10:30).

Hindi pumapayag ang Dios na may katulad Siya, ang hangad Niya ay matularan lamang natin ang mga iniwan Niyang halimbawa nang Siya ay magkatawang-tao.

Gaya halimbawa ng pagpapakababa na Kaniyang ginawa, na Siya bagama’t Dios ay iniwan ang Kaniyang pagka-Dios upang makitulad sa ating mga tao. Iniwan Niya din ang halimbawa ng pagiging masunurin. Kung si Kristo ay naging masunurin hanggang sa kamatayan sa krus, gayundin ang hangad Niya na magawa natin (Filipos 2:5-8).

Sinumang panginoon ay hindi pinaglilingkuran ang kaniyang mga alipin. Subalit, ginawa ito ng Panginoong Hesus. Hinugasan Niya ang paa ng Kaniyang mga alagad, upang ipakita sa kanila ang dakilang halimbawa ng pagpapakababa (Juan 13:13-15), sa layuning sila naman ay matuto ding magpapakababa sa isa’t isa.

Bagaman Siya ay inupasala, sinaktan, tinampalasan at niyurakan, hindi gumanti ang Panginoong Hesus. Ibig Niyang maging gayon ang ating kaisipan sa lahat ng panahon. Ang paghihiganti ay nasa kamay ng Dios. Hayaan nating ang Dios ang gumanti sa mga kasamaang ginagawa sa atin. (1 Pedro 2:21-23)

Kaya’t kung si Hesus ay nagawang magpakita ng mababang puso at naging mapagpatawad sa lahat ng tumampalasanan sa Kaniya, gayundin naman ang ibig Niyang makita na ginagawa natin. Ang wika ng Biblia, “Mangagtiisan kayo sa isa’t isa, at mangagpatawaran kayo sa isa’t isa, kung ang sinoman ay may sumbong laban sa kanino man; na kung paanong pinatawad kayo ng Panginoon, ay gayon din naman ang inyong gawin:” (Colosas 3:13) 

Kung magkagayon ay makilala ng lahat na tayo nga ay tunay na mga alagad ng Dios. Gaya nang Kaniyang pahayag, “Isang bagong utos ang sa inyo’y ibinibigay ko, na kayo’y mangagibigan sa isa’t isa:na kung paanong iniibig ko kayo, ay mangagibigan naman kayo sa isa’t isa. Sa ganito’y mangakikilala ng lahat ng mga tao na kayo ay aking mga alagad, kung kayo’y may pagibig sa isa’t isa.” (Juan 13:34-35)

(From the sermon entitled, “Ang Kayamanang Buhat sa Dios” for April 9 and 12, 2015)

Many people considered material things as wealth in this life. For them, these material wealth is needed to live with dignity, abundantly and peacefully.

However, for servants of God, we consider that more than the material wealth that a person can have, there is a wealth called true wealth coming from God. Many people do not find this true wealth.

How do we find true wealth? What is the clearest explanation of the Bible regarding true wealth?

The Bible says that it is God who gives wealth to people, “Wealth and honor come from you” (1 Chronicles 29:12) It is the Lord who sends poverty and prosperity according to 1 Samuel 2:7.

However, let us examine how the Bible explains if someone wishes to possess wealth. The Bible clearly states that we need to work for everything if we want something in this life. Verse Genesis 3:19 says, with the sweat of our brow, we will eat our food. This means that not everything we want in this life can be acquired easily. We need to put extra effort if we want to get rich and wealthy. God surely gives but He never gives it instantly to people. There is a rule that we need to sweat in order to eat; therefore, we shall get rich if we work hard for it.

And this is true in this life. Many rich people did not accrue wealth at the end of the day. Some built their wealth for hundred of years or so.

And so, we should not believe Pastors who will say that God can make us rich instantly if we ask and believe. Truly, God can make us rich if He wants to. There is no impossible with God. However, that’s not how God runs these things about acquiring wealth.

If there is an instant wealth that people can possess, we can assure that it is not from God.

The god of this world, Satan has the power to give wealth also. The Devil tempted Christ with the wealth of this world, but ended disappointedly (Matthew 4:8-9). This earth actually has been given to the hands of the wicked (Job 9:24). And this is what he has been using for a long time to keep people away from God. He has been using the wealth of this world to tempt people and keep them from the truth.

And so we do not make a mistake that not all things in this world can only be given by God. The Devil has the power to give and make them as his bait to entice people. But let us not forget that God is the principal source of all things. The Bible tells us how God made King Solomon to be the greatest of all kings in his time because of his wisdom and wealth. And why did this happen?

This is because Solomon chose wisdom over anything in this world. The Bible tells us about this, “God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life, but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.” (2 Chronicles 2:11-12)

Not only King Solomon, Job’s character in the Bible tells us that he was very rich and famous in his time. His beginning and ending tells us about how God made him wealthy in many things (Job 1:1-3; 42:12-17)

Now, let us not forget that God blesses both wicked and good people. The Bible tells us of this, “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:45)

Another proof is written in Acts 17:25, “since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.”

And so, the result of all hard work and enthusiasm of people aiming to get rich will always depend on the mercy and goodness of the Lord almighty. If He wants us to get rich, it will always depend on Him. If He wants us to live according to what we deserve, it’s up to Him. We cannot dictate what God gives based on what we want.

Any hardship that we have in acquiring wealth should be coupled with prayer and the belief that God can provide. However, let us not forget that only prayers that are according to His will are answered. The Bible tells us, “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.” (1 John 5:14)

Isn’t it that Christ promised that if we ask, we would be given? That if we seek, we shall find? And that if we ask, we shall be answered? (Matthew 7:7-8) All we need to do is to assure that everything we ask is according to what pleases Him; otherwise, it will not be given at all no matter how hard we pray. If God does not answer wicked prayers, then whose answering them? Definitely it’s not from God.

People’s requests are usually not answered because of their motives. Apostle James tells us, “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts” (James 4:3) If the request is only for personal pleasures, it will not be answered. If people receive this kind of requests, then it is not from God for sure.

Yes, God can make us rich. However, if this will not be our part of Him, we should respect and recognize His will. Life is not about the abundance of what we have. Life is more than the material wealth in this world.

It will become miserable if we only have hope in Christ in this life (1 Corinthians 15:19). This means that if people do not work for themselves and only hope for material blessings of Christ, then they will become miserable. Remember, this is not how God runs these things about acquiring material blessings.

It is right to hope for God, but it should not be the only way to have wealth. People who hope only to God of the things in this life became lazy and miserable.

We should learn therefore to find the resources in the hardest way. After all, Jesus Christ promises that if we seek His kingdom first (spiritual), then all these things shall be added unto us (Matthew 6:33). What should be added doesn’t mean we should have all things. It is only a portion. We should not give false hopes to ourselves that everything we desire and request to God will be answered. If God blesses us abundantly, then it is His purpose for us.

What do we need to learn about material wealth?

Although material wealth covers many things in this life, we should not fully depend on them. Long before, Apostle Payl encourages every member of the church of God, not to rely on material wealth, because they are only temporary. We cannot rely on something that is only temporary. People have destroyed themselves because of their lusts.

This is the reason why Apostle Paul advised the rich people, “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

We should trust God above any material wealth.

Material wealth can get lost, it can be robbed and destroyed, but the true wealth cannot be destroyed and get lost. This is what we should prepare for according to Christ, ““Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19-21)

Usually, material wealth is the number one hindrance to acquire true wealth (Luke 12:16-21). The rich guy in this story was not prepared to let go of his material wealth and follow Christ. He forgot what was truly important in this life. The moment came when his life was about to end. His material wealth did not save him. The problem is, he was not able to prepare himself and acquire true wealth. How can he enter heaven if he was not prepared?

How can a person find true wealth?

A person starts to acquire True wealth when he was called in the church of God (1 Corinthians 1:1-2, 4-7). The first two verses tell us how Paul and Sosthenes were called to be an Apostle and a preacher in the church of God, not only them, but as well as those who were called to be holy.

The fourth verse tells us about true wealth. Paul thanked God for the wonderful blessings they have received through Christ, that they have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge, that they do not lack in any spiritual gift.

Therefore, true wealth comes from God through His words. And blessed are those that God have chosen, to come near Him (Psalms 65:4), for they will see the richness of God’s mercy and goodness.

They are blessed because surely they will receive the true wealth that will come from God, which is the wisdom to know about His teachings and doctrines. These teachings help us understand any situation that befall us and help us learn to accept and be satisfied in all His blessings that we receive.

Those who possess true wealth do not show grumbling or complaining with their life. We do not hate God if we do not have what we want in this life.

Many did not possess the blessedness of those who acquire true wealth. And so, the way to eternal salvation became very narrow, and only a few have found it (Matthew 7:13).

This happened because many were not able to learn the true will of God. Many people who have asked for material wealth forgot to seek about the true wealth. Their focus is only within what their eyes can see. And very oftenly, Jesus tells us, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21, 24)

This is the reason why many people only focus on material things. They don’t care about heaven because heaven is out of their sight. They get easily tempted and lured by material wealth. Jesus tells us, “The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.” (Matthew 13:22)

God expects those who were blessed to acquire true wealth to learn how to value this wealth. We were blessed to have been entrusted with this amazing wealth and so; we need to show that we are worthy of this calling, by way of unconditional obedience and recognitions.

Apostle Paul mentions that we were blessed to have been enlightened, and received a hope upon our calling, and that we were entrusted with the true wealth and glory of His promised eternal life (Ephesians 1:18). This blessing that we have received from God showed that we possess true wealth. It may not sound good to many people, but to faithful and to God, indeed it is amazing.

If we want to get rich materially, nobody is stopping us. It is not wrong to get rich. The Bible tells no prohibitions about this. However, the Bible warns us the danger of wanting to get rich in this life. Jesus tells us, ““Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.” (Luke 21:34)

Learning to accept life as it is despite of the many sufferings that it offers, which enables us to endure everything with a happy heart and contentment, then definitely we have found true wealth, which will eventually lead us to a much better life, with God, eternal in heaven.

FILIPINO TRANSLATIONS:

Ang mga materyal na bagay ang karaniwang itinuturing na kayamanan ng maraming tao sa sanlibutan. Para sa kanila, ang mga kayamanang ito ay kailangan upang sila ay mabuhay na may karangalan at katiwasayan dito sa lupa.

Subalit sa ating mga lingkod ng Dios, talastas nating hindi lamang materyal na bagay ang kayamanan na maaari nating taglayin. May mga bagay na higit pa sa kayamanan na matatagpuan dito sa lupa. At ang kayamanang ito ay hindi makakamit ng lahat ng tao.

Saan ba maaaring magmula ang mga kayamanang maaaring taglayin ng tao? Ano ang malinaw na pahayag ng Biblia patungkol sa mga kayamanan?

Sinabi ng Biblia, “Iyo, Oh Panginoon ang kadakilaan, at ang kapangyarihan, at ang kaluwalhatian, at ang pagtatagumpay, at ang karangalan: sapagka’t lahat na nangasa langit at nangasa lupa ay iyo: iyo ang kaharian, Oh Panginoon, at ikaw ay nataas na pangulo sa lahat. Ang mga kayamanan at gayon din ang karangalan ay nangagmumula sa iyo, at ikaw ang nagpupuno sa lahat; at nasa iyong kamay ang kapangyarihan at kalakasan; at nasa iyong kamay ang pagpapadakila, at pagpapalakas sa lahat.” ( 1 Cronica 29:11-12)

Malinaw sa pahayag na ito na sa Dios nagmumula ang kayamanan at maging ang karangalan na pinagsisikapang matamo ng tao. Ang wika pa nga ng Biblia, nasa kapasiyahan ng Dios ang pagiging dukha at pagiging mayaman ng tao, gaya nang sinabi, “Ang Panginoo’y nagpapadukha at nagpapayaman…” (1 Samuel 2:7)

Paano ba natatamo ng tao ang biyayang mula sa Dios? Ang biyaya ng Dios ay natatamo kung pagsisikapan ng tao. Sinabi ng Biblia, “sa pawis ng iyong mukha ay kakain ka ng tinapay.” (Genesis 3:19) Ibig sabihin, anumang yaman at pangangailangan ang ibig masumpungan ng tao ay kinakailangan niya itong paghirapan. Bagaman Dios ang nagpapala at nagkakaloob ng mga ito, hindi ito agarang ibinibigay ng Dios sapagkat mayroong batas o alituntunin na itinakda ang Dios sa pagkakaloob ng anumang bagay.

At ito ay totoo sa panahong ito. Maraming mayayaman na hindi naman sila naging mayaman lamang sa maghapon o magdamag. Ang ilan sa kanila ay bumilang ng mahabang panahon para magkamit ng yaman at mapanatili ito.

Kaya’t huwag tayong maniniwala sa mga Pastor na nagsasabing kaya tayong payamanin ng Dios agad-agad, humiling lamang tayo at manampalataya. Sa katotohanan, magagawa ng Dios na tayo ay payamanin agad-agad, subalit hindi ganito ang kalooban ng Dios sa ating mga tao.

Kung mayroon mang madaliang yaman na maaaring matamo ang tao, ito ay hindi sa Dios nagmumula. Ang kalaban ng Dios, ang Diablo ay mayroong kakayahang magpala at magkaloob ng yaman ng sanlibutang ito. Palibhasa, ang sanlibutang ito ay naibigay na sa kamay ng masama (Job 9:24), nasa kapangyarihan ng Diablo na tuksuhin ang tao sa mga kayamanan nito. At ito ang ginamit niya sa Panginoong Hesus (Mateo 4:8-9). Kaya’t hindi natin dapat ipagkamali na mula lamang sa Dios ang lahat ng mga kayamanan dito sa lupa. At huwag din nating ipagkamali na kay Satanas lamang maaaring magmula ang yaman sa sanlibutang ito.

Ang mahalaga ay maunawaan nating ugali ng Dios ang magkaloob ng kayamanan dito sa sanlibutan. Bilang katunayan ay matatagpuan natin sa Biblia ang natatanging kayamanang ipinagkaloob kay Haring Solomon. Walang naging dakila at pinakamayaman na hari sa kaniyang panahon maliban sa kanya.

Ang salita ng Dios sa kaniya ang magpapatunay ng kaniyang kadakilaan, “… Sapagka’t ito ang sumaiyong puso, at hindi ka humingi ng kayamanan, pag- aari o karangalan o ng buhay man ng nangapopoot sa iyo, o humingi ka kaya ng mahabang buhay; kundi humingi ka ng karunungan at kaalaman sa ganang iyong sarili, upang iyong mahatulan ang aking bayan, na aking pinaggawan sa iyo na hari: Karunungan at kaalaman ay nabigay sa iyo; at bibigyan kita ng kayamanan, at pag- aari, at karangalan na walang hari na una sa iyo na nagkaroon ng ganyan, o sinoman ay magkakaroon ng gayong pagkamatay mo” (2 Cronica 1:11-12)

Hindi lamang si Solomon, maging ang tauhan ng Biblia na si Job ay pinasagana ng Dios sa mga kayamanan. Ang pasimula ng yugto ng buhay ni Job at ang kawakasan ng kaniyang buhay ay magbibigay patotoo ng kayamanang tinanggap niya mula sa Dios (Job 1:1-3; 42:12-17)

Ang totoo, ang Dios ay nagkakaloob maging sa mabuti at maging sa masama. Sinabi ng Biblia, “sapagka’t pinasisikat niya ang kaniyang araw sa masasama at sa mabubuti, at nagpapaulan sa mga ganap at sa mga hindi ganap.” (Mateo 5:45) Karagdagang katunayan ay yaong mababasa sa Gawa 17:25, “yamang siya rin ang nagbibigay sa lahat ng buhay, at ng hininga, at ng lahat ng mga bagay.” Kaya’t makikilala natin ang Dios na Siyang nagkakaloob ng biyaya, kayamanan at pagpapala sa lahat ng may buhay.

Kaya’t anumang pagsisikap ang gawin ng tao, ang magiging bunga o resulta nito ay magmumula pa din sa pasiya ng Dios. Kung ibig tayong payamanin ng Dios ay nasa Kaniya ito, o kung sapat lamang naman ang ating tinatanggap buhat sa Kaniya ay mula din ito sa Kaniyang kapasiyahan. Hindi natin maaaring diktahan ang kalooban ng Dios base sa ating sariling kagustuhan.

Ang pagsisikap na ginagawa natin ay dapat din nating lakipan ng panalangin at pagtitiwala sa Dios. Subalit tiyakin nating upang tayo ay pakinggan ng Dios, ay ayon sa Kaniyang kalooban ang ating hinihingi. Gaya nang sinabi, “At ito ang nasa ating pagkakatiwala sa kaniya, na kung tayo’y humingi ng anomang bagay na ayon sa kaniyang kalooban, ay dinidinig tayo niya:” (1 Juan 5:14)

Hindi baga nangako ang Panginoong Hesus na kung tayo ay hihingi ay bibigyan tayo? At kung tayo ay maghahanap ay ating masusumpungan? At kung tayo ay tatawag tayo ay pakikinggan? (Mateo 7:7-8) Ang kailangan lamang ay matiyak nating anumang ang ating hinihingi ay umaayon sa Kaniyang kalooban. Sapagkat kung ang ating hinihingi ay hindi ayon sa Kaniya, at sa masamang paraan din ito maaaring magmula, tinitiyak ng Biblia na hindi ito tutugunin ng Dios, at kung ito ay hindi nagmumula sa Dios kung gayon ay sa kalaban ng Dios ito maaaring magmula.

Bilang katunayan, sinabi ng Biblia, “Kayo’y nagsisihingi, at hindi kayo nagsisitanggap, sapagka’t nagsisihingi kayo ng masama, upang gugulin sa inyong mga kalayawan” (Santiago 4:3) Kung ang kahilingan ay gagamitin lamang sa sariling kalayawan at kasamaan, tiyak ito ay hindi didinggin ng Dios. Makamit man ito ay tinitiyak na hindi nagmula sa Dios.

Tandaan nating ang pagpapayaman ay nasa Dios. Subalit kung hindi ito ang maging bahagi natin mula sa Kaniya bilang mga lingkod, ay igalang at tanggapin natin ang anumang ating tinatamasa. Ang buhay ay hindi sa kasaganaan ng tinatangkilik.

Mayroong mga tao na ang pagasa sa buhay na ito ay nasa Dios lamang (1 Corinto 15:19). Ipinagpapasa-Dios nila ang lahat ng bagay maging ang kanilang mga pangangailangan sa buhay. Matuwid na umasa sa Dios, ngunit hindi ito dapat maging katuwiran upang tayo ay hindi na magsikap sa buhay at maging tamad na lamang. Kailangan pa din natin ang magsikap sa buhay na ito upang masumpungan ang ating mga pangangailangan sa buhay.

Nangako ang Panginoong Hesus na kung uunahin natin ang Kaniyang kaharian (espirituwal) ay hindi tayo pababayaan sa materyal, sapagkat idadagdag sa atin ang ating mga pangangailangan (Mateo 6:33). Kapag sinabing dagdag, hindi ito madami. Kaya’t hindi tayo dapat umasa na madami ang ibibigay sa atin ng Dios. Kung tayo man ay magtamo ng marami, may layunin ang Dios ukol dito.

Ano ang dapat nating maunawaan sa kayamanang panlupa?

Bagaman ang kayamanan sa lupa ay tumatakip sa maraming bagay sa sanlibutang ito, hindi natin ito dapat lubos na asahan bilang mga lingkod. Noon pa man ay itinutulak na ni Apostol Pablo na ang kayamanan sa lupa ay pansamantala lamang, hindi dapat pagsaligan at hindi dapat asahan sa buhay na ito. Marami ang napahamak sa sobrang paghahangad na magtamo nito. Kaya’t sa paghahangad pa lamang ng kayamanang panlupa ay napapahamak na ang madami.

Kaya’t ipinayo ni Apostol Pablo. “Ang mayayaman sa sanglibutang ito, ay pagbilinan mo na huwag magsipagmataas ng pagiisip, at huwag umasa sa mga kayamanang di nananatili, kundi sa Dios na siyang nagbibigay sa ating sagana ng lahat ng mga bagay upang ating ikagalak; Na sila’y magsigawa ng mabuti, na sila’y magsiyaman sa mabuting gawa, na sila’y maging handa sa pamimigay, maibigin sa pamamahagi; Na mangagtipon sa kanilang sarili ng isang mabuting kinasasaligan para sa panahong darating, upang sila’y makapanangan sa buhay na tunay na buhay.” (1 Timoteo 6:17-19)  

Sa Dios tayo dapat umasa at hindi sa anumang yaman dito sa lupa.

Anumang yaman sa lupa ay maaaring mawala, manakaw at sirain ng tanga at kalawang, subalit ang kayamanang panlangit ay hindi mawawala. Ito ang dapat nating paghandaan ayon sa Panginoong Hesus, “Huwag kayong mangagtipon ng mga kayamanan sa lupa, na dito’y sumisira ang tanga at ang kalawang, at dito’y nanghuhukay at nagsisipagnakaw ang mga magnanakaw: Kundi mangagtipon kayo ng mga kayamanan sa langit, na doo’y hindi sumisira kahit ang tanga kahit ang kalawang, at doo’y hindi nanghuhukay at hindi nagsisipagnakaw ang mga magnanakaw.” (Mateo 6:19-21)

Kung minsan, ang yaman ng sanlibutan ay nagiging hadlang sa ikapagtatamo ng tunay na kayamanan, samakatuwid ay ang kayamanang panlangit. (Lukas 12:16-21) Ang mayaman sa kuwentong ito ng Panginoong Hesus ay naging abala sa kaniyang kayamanan dito sa lupa, nakaligtaan niya ang lalong mahalagang kayamanan na dapat niyang paghandaan. Nang dumating na ang araw ng kaniyang kawakasan, hindi naman siya kayang iligtas ng kaniyang yamang lupa. Ang problema, hindi niya napaghandaan ang kayamanan sa langit. Paano niya ito mararating kung hindi niya napaghandaan?

Paano ba nagsisimulang matagpuan ng tao ang tunay na kayamanan o ang kayamanang pang-langit?

Ang ebidensiya ng pagkakamit ng tunay na kayamanang mula sa Dios ay mababasa natin sa 1 Corinto 1:1-2, 4-7, sa unang dalawang talata, binanggit ang pagkakatawag ni Apostol Pablo at ni Sostenes, at maging silang natawag upang mangagbanal sa iglesia ng Dios. Sa ikaapat na talata ay binanggit ang kayamanang tatamuhin bunga ng pagkatawag ng Dios. Sinabi doon, “Nagpapasalamat akong lagi sa aking Dios tungkol sa inyo, dahil sa biyaya ng Dios na ipinagkaloob sa inyo sa pamamagitan ni Cristo Jesus; Na kayo ay pinayaman sa kanya, sa lahat ng mga bagay sa lahat ng pananalita at sa lahat ng kaalaman; Gaya ng pinagtibay sa inyo ang patotoo ni Cristo: Ano pa’t kayo’y hindi nagkulang sa anomang kaloob; na nagsisipaghintay ng paghahayag ng ating Panginoong Jesucristo.”

Hindi sa panglupa ang kayamanang tinutukoy dito na ipinagkaloob sa mga tinawag sa iglesia ng Dios. Ang mga kayamanang ito ay espirtuwal na kayamanan. Mula sa Dios ay magmumula ang kaalaman, karunungan at katuwiran ng pananampalataya at pagasa sa Kaniya. 

Kaya’t mapalad ang tao na pinipili, at pinalalapit ng Dios sa Kaniya, upang siya’y makatahan sa Kaniyang bahay at mangasisiyahan sa kabutihan ng Kaniyang banal na Templo (Awit 65:4).

Mapalad ang mga ito sapagkat tatamuhin nila ang tunay na kayamanang mula sa Dios na nagmumula sa pagkaunawa sa Kaniyang mga salita. Ang mga katuwirang ito ang nagtuturo sa atin upang matanggap ang anumang sitwasyon mayroon tayo at masiyahan sa bawat biyaya at pagpapalang ating tinatamasa.

Kung marunong tayong masiyahan sapagkat ito ang doktrina at aral na tinatanggap natin ay hindi tayo magreklamo anuman ang ating maranasan. Hindi tayo magtatampo sa Dios kung hindi man matupad ang pangarap nating yumaman dito sa lupa.

Ang palad ng nakakasumpong ng tunay na kayamanan ay hindi naging palad ng maraming mga tao. Kaya’t ang daan patungo sa kaligtasan ay napakaliit na lamang, kakaunti ang nakakasumpong nito (Mateo 7:13).

Kung bakit ganito sapagkat marami ang hindi nakaunawa ng tunay na kalooban ng Dios at ng Kaniyang mga katuwiran. Marami ang naghahangad ng yaman ng lupa, nakaligtaan nila o hindi nila pinagsikapang alamin ang pagtatamo ng tunay na kayamanan sa langit. Naka-pokus ang marami sa mga bagay na nakikita at hindi sa mga bagay na panlangit. Gaya nang pahayag ng Panginoong Hesus, nakalagak ang puso ng tao sa mga bagay na inaaari nitong kayamanan sa kaniyang buhay (Mateo 6: 21, 24).

At dahil naka-pokus lamang sila dito sa lupa, hindi nila pinapansin ang mga bagay na labas sa pokus ng kanilang pansin. Wala silang pakiaalam sa langit, o kung mayroon man ay hindi nila ito priyoridad sa kanilang buhay. Madali silang natutukso ng mga bagay ng sanlibutan kaya’t dito lamang nila naibabaling ang kanilang pansin. Gaya nang sinabi ng Panginoong Hesus, “At ang nahasik sa mga dawagan, ay yaong dumirinig ng salita; nguni’t ang pagsusumakit na ukol sa sanglibutan, at ang daya ng mga kayamanan, ay siyang umiinis sa salita, at yao’y nagiging walang bunga.” (Mateo 13:22)

Sa ating mga nagtamo ng tunay na kayamanan, ang pamanhik ng Biblia ay matuto tayong magpahalaga sa kayamanang ito. Pinagtiwalaan tayo ng Dios na magtamo ng pambihirang kayamanang ito, kaya’t dapat lamang nating suklian ito ng ibayong pagpapahalaga sa pamamagitan ng ibayong pagtalima at pagkilala.

Gaya nang pahayag ni Apostol Pablo, “Yamang naliwanagan ang mga mata ng inyong puso, upang maalaman ninyo kung ano ang pagasa sa kaniyang pagtawag, kung ano ang mga kayamanan ng kaluwalhatian ng kaniyang pamana sa mga banal.” (Efeso 1:18) Ang tinanggap nating biyaya ay pagasa mula sa Kaniyang pagtawag sa atin, at ito ang nagpapakilala sa atin kung gaano kalawak ang tinamo nating kayamanan, hindi man dito sa lupa, ngunit ito naman ay patungkol sa langit na ating inaasam-asam.

Sa mga naghahangad ng kayamanan sa lupa, tiniyak ng Biblia na hindi masama kung ito ay gawin. Lalo pa nga kung magiging bukas ang ating puso sa pagtulong at pamamahagi sa mga nangangailangan kung ito ay masumpungan. Ang kailangan lang ay sundin natin ang payo na magingat, baka tayo mahulog sa maraming tukso ng kaway ng sanlibutang ito gaya nang sinabi, “Datapuwa’t mangagingat kayo sa inyong sarili, baka mangalugmok ang inyong mga puso sa katakawan, at sa kalasingan, at sa mga pagsusumakit ukol sa buhay na ito, at dumating na bigla sa inyo ang araw na yaon na gaya ng silo.” (Lukas 21:34)

Kung matutunan na nating tanggapin ang ating kalagayan sa buhay na ito, na sa kabila ng maraming kapighatian at pagsubok ng pananampalataya ay natutuhan nating masiyahan at magtamo ng kapayapaan, kung magkagayon ay tinamo na natin ang tunay na kayamanan, samakatuwid baga’y ang yamang panlangit, na kung ating titipunin ay magiging mabuting saligan natin sa pagtatamo ng pangakong buhay na walang hanggan.

(From the sermon entitled, “Ang Katangiang Dapat Taglayin ng Bawat Mananampalataya ng Panginoong Dios” for April 16, 2015)

“Watch your thoughts, it becomes your actions. Watch your actions, it becomes your habit. Watch your habits, it becomes your character.” – Margaret Thatcher

 This famous quote is about the character of people. We vaguely notice that our actions are always a product of what we think. What if we think cruelly? We may end up doing cruel things too.

Self-awareness is important in order to control one’s thoughts, actions and habits. This is the reason why the prophesy of the Apostle Paul about the character of people is fulfilled in our time. People had become lovers of their own selves, lovers of money, lovers of wicked pleasures.

And no wonder why this world had become dangerous. This is the work of the Devil. The world was given to the hands of the wicked according to Job 9:24. We should not expect that this world is going to be fine. The world runs according to what the Devil dictates. The wicked will become more wicked, leading to destructions.

The only thing a faithful can do is be aware of ones’ self and its environment. We need to guard ourselves not to let it be lured by the temptations of this world. Jesus tells us, ““But watch yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.” (Luke 21:34)

The lack of carefulness and awareness can lead to sin. Oftenly, overindulgence to worldly lusts lead to painful fate. To avoid greediness, each one should learn to control worldly pleasures and be satisfied with what we have, be it small or big blessings. We need to learn how to count the blessings we receive to avoid grumbling and complaining.

Dissatisfaction leads us to anxiety. Apostle Paul tells us, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” (Philippians 4:11) Knowing that God will not abandon us no matter what, gives us a feeling of satisfaction. The Bible tells us, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

Sometimes, the worries of people came from their own inattention. For example, many people spend money more than what they earn. To be able to cope up with their expenses, they will borrow money with interest. And to be able to pay their debts plus the interests, they will again borrow from another. The result is the heavy burden of paying over debts. This is too much anxiety and foolishness.

Be it in abundance or in need, we should learn to be contented while serving the Lord. The Lord tells us that in this world we only have sufferings, we should overcome (John 16:33). A faithful should not worry about what he will eat or drink. God will provide.

Jesus tells us, “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat? ’ Or ‘What shall we drink? ’ or ‘What shall we wear? ’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” (Matthew 6:31-32)

The problem with many people, they get over confident in their situations. They became lazy and entrusted everything to the Lord. Some of them are not willing to work for their daily needs because they believe God will provide. Their lives became miserable. Some of them did not send their kids to schools. They are just waiting for help form other people. They became parasites. Although they concentrate on serving the Lord, they neglect many things in this life.

This should not happen to us. A faithful should be practical in material and spiritual aspects. Although we know that our priority should be on the spiritual side, however, we should not forget that we should find a means of fulfilling our needs.

Prioritizing the spiritual aspect of our lives requires sacrifice. Sometimes, we loose material things in order to gain spiritually. There are things that we should be willing to sacrifice in exchange of gaining the pleasure of the Lord. In return, God promises that He won’t let us be beggars in the streets. He will not abandon us. He will provide for us only if we work hard too. Whatever we encounter in life, God assures that we will overcome them because He will help us and give us strength. We just need to trust Him.

The trait of the eagle mentioned in Isaiah 40:31 is what God expects us to possess. We should not get weary and weaken. While serving the Lord, we soar on wings like eagles, we run and not grow weary, we walk and not be faint, because we hope in the Lord and renew our strength every time.

The strength that we have come from His powerful hands; therefore we are assured that we can overcome anything. Apostle Paul tells us that before he was weak, doing things that are inappropriate and wicked before God, but things change when God called Him and gave him strength. Now, he can do anything because Christ is his strength. He writes, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:12-13)

Now, if we feel that the power and blessings of God are always overwhelming in our lives, then what we should do is offer Him the desired worship and service, and continuously offer thanksgiving and praises worthy of His name. This is how we can repay God for all His love to us.

Filipino Translations:

“Bantayan mo ang iyong pagiisip, ito ay magiging gawa mo. Bantayan mo ang iyong gawa, ito ay magiging ugali mo. Bantayan mo ang iyong ugali, ito ay magiging karakter mo.” – Margaret Thatcher

Isa ito sa mga pamosong kasabihan sa nagiging likas nating mga tao. Kadalasan ay hindi natin namamalayan na ang laman ng ating isip ay unti-unting nagiging bahagi ng ating paggawa. Paano kung mali o masama ang laman ng isip? Masama din ang magiging paggawa nito.

Kaya’t kung hindi mababantayan, o hindi mako-kontrol ng tao ang kaniyang pagiisip, gawa, kilos o ugali, magiging karakter niya ito. Ito ang naging dahilan kung bakit sa panahon nating ito ay natupad ang sinabi ni Apostol Pablo tungkol sa magiging likas ng maraming mga tao.

Ang mga tao ay naging maibigin sa kanilang sarili, maibigin sa salapi, sa kalayawan at sa mga kasamaan (2 Timoteo 3:1-5) Naging dahilan upang maging mapanganib ang takbo ng sanlibutan. Hindi naman ito nakapagtataka sapagkat sinabi ng Biblia na ang lupa ay nabigay na sa kamay ng masama (Job 9:24). Huwag tayong umasa na sa sanlibutang ito ay higit na mamamayani ang kabutihan. Sapagkat nabigay na ito sa masama, ang takbo ng sanlibutan ay umaayon sa dikta ng kasamaan, ang masama ay lalo pang sasama kaysa sa dati nitong kalagayan. patungo sa pagkapahamak.

Ang tanging magagawa nating mga mananampalataya ay magingat, batayan ang sarili na baka tayo naman ay makahulagpos at matangay ng sari-saring tukso sa sanlibutang ito. Ganito ang ipinayo ng Panginoong Hesus, “Datapuwa’t mangagingat kayo sa inyong sarili, baka mangalugmok ang inyong mga puso sa katakawan, at sa kalasingan, at sa mga pagsusumakit ukol sa buhay na ito, at dumating na bigla sa inyo ang araw na yaon na gaya ng silo.” (Lukas 21:34)

Ang kawalan ng pagiingat o ang mahigpit na pagbabantay sa sarili ang kadalasang nagiging dahilan ng pagkapahamak ng marami. Kung minsan, sa sobrang paghahangad ng mga bagay ng sanlibutang ito ay humahantong ang tao sa pagkapahamak.

Upang makaiwas sa ganitong kalagayan, ipinayo ng Biblia na pagaralan nating masiyahan sa anumang kalagayan mayroon tayo. Matuto tayong magpasalamat sa anumang biyaya na tinatanggap natin, malaki man o maliit ang mga biyayang ito. Ang kailangan lamang ay pagaralan nating bilangin ang mga biyayang dumadating sa ating buhay upang maiwasan nating mabalisa at magreklamo sa ating kalagayan.

Ang kawalan ng kasiyahan sa pamumuhay ang nagiging dahilan ng sobrang kabalisahan. Kaya’t sinabi ni Apostol Pablo, “… sapagka’t aking natutuhan ang masiyahan sa anomang kalagayang aking kinaroroonan. Marunong akong magpakababa, at marunong naman akong magpakasagana: sa bawa’t bagay at sa lahat ng bagay ay natutuhan ko ang lihim maging sa kabusugan, at maging sa kagutuman, at maging sa kasaganaan at maging sa kasalatan.” (Filipos 4:11-12)

Pagaralan natin na magkasiya tayo sa ating tinatangkilik. Gaya nang pahayag, “Mangilag kayo sa pagibig sa salapi; mangagkasiya kayo sa inyong tinatangkilik:sapagka’t siya rin ang nagsabi, Sa anomang paraan ay hindi kita papagkukulangin, sa anomang paraan ni hindi kita pababayaan.” (Hebreo 13:5)

Kung minsan, ang kabalisahang nararanasan ng tao ay bunga na din ng kaniyang kapabayaan. Higit sa kanilang kinikita ang kanilang ginagastos. Upang matugunan ang pangangailangan ay mangungutang. At para makabayad ng utang, ay muling uutang ng panibago. Ang resulta ay ang pagkabaon sa utang, na nagiging daan ng sobrang kabalisahan.

Sagana man o salat ang buhay, matuto tayong maging masaya samantalang naglilingkod sa Dios. Noon pa naman ay ipinagpauna na sa atin ng Panginoong Hesus, na sa sanlibutang ito ay mayroon tayong kapighatian, laksan natin ang ating loob (Juan 16:33). 

Kaya’t hindi dapat mabalisa ang isang lingkod kung ano ang kaniyang kakainin, iinumin at daramtin. Hindi tayo dapat mabalisa kung anuman ang maging pangangailangan natin, sapagkat mayroong Dios na nakahandang tumulong at umagapay sa atin.

Sinabi ni Hesus, “Kaya huwag kayong mangabalisa, na mangagsabi, Ano ang aming kakanin? o, Ano ang aming iinumin? o, Ano ang aming daramtin? Sapagka’t ang lahat ng mga bagay na ito ay siyang pinaghahanap ng mga Gentil; yamang talastas ng inyong Ama sa kalangitan na kinakailangan ninyo ang lahat ng mga bagay na ito.” (Mateo 6:31-32)

Ang problema sa ilan, nasobrahan naman sa pagiging kuntento. Nawalan na ng panahon para magsikap at maabot ang kanilang pangarap. Ang resulta nito ay kabalisahan din. Ang kakulangan ng maraming bagay sa buhay na ito ay kadalasang nagdudulot ng ibayong kabalisahan sa buhay. Dapat praktikal ang maging pagtingin natin sa materyal na pangangailangan at sa espirituwal na bahagi ng ating buhay.

Batid nating higit nating dapat pagukulan ng pansin ang pagiipon ng kayamanang panlangit, subalit hindi din naman tayo dapat magpabaya sa paghahanap ng ating pangangailangan dito sa lupa.

Magiging mahirap lamang talaga na pagukulan ng higit na pansin ang bahagi ng espirituwal sapagkat maraming bagay tayong kailangang isakripisyo. May mga bagay na kailangan nating ipagpalit lalo kung hindi ito umaayon sa kagustuhan ng Dios. Subalit, nangako naman ang Dios na hindi tayo pababayaan, kung kaya’t makaaasa tayong magagawa nating pagtagumpayan ang anumang bagay na ating kaharapin. Huwag lamang tayong magkulang ng pagtitiwala sa Kaniya.

Taglayin natin ang kalakasan na gaya ng agila, na papalakas nang papalakas samantalang bumibilang ng panahon sa paglilingkod. Gaya nang sinabi sa Isaias 40:31, “Nguni’t silang nangaghihintay sa Panginoon ay mangagbabagong lakas; sila’y paiilanglang na may mga pakpak na parang mga aguila; sila’y magsisitakbo, at hindi mangapapagod; sila’y magsisilakad, at hindi manganghihina.”

Ang lakas na ito ay nagmumula sa makapagyarihang kamay ng Dios kaya’t makaaasa na makapagtatagumpay sa bahagi ng paglilingkod sa Kaniya. Kung noon gaya ni Apostol Pablo ay wala tayong lakas sa ating sarili, na namamayani pa ang ugaling sanlibutan, dahil sa lakas na ibinigay sa atin ay magagawa natin ang kahit anumang bagay sapagkat si Kristo ang ating kalakasan. Gaya nang kaniyang pahayag, “sa bawa’t bagay at sa lahat ng bagay ay natutuhan ko ang lihim maging sa kabusugan, at maging sa kagutuman, at maging sa kasaganaan at maging sa kasalatan. Lahat ng mga bagay ay aking magagawa doon sa nagpapalakas sa akin.” (Filipos 4:12-13)

Kaya naman, kung ang tulong ng Dios ay lagi nating tinataglay, walang pinakamainam na gawin kundi ang patuloy naming Siya ay madulutan natin ng pagsamba at paglilingkod, at patuloy Siyang maalayan ng taus sa pusong mga pagpapasalamat at pagpupuri. Ito lamang ang tangi nating maibabayad sa lahat ng Kaniyang kabutihan at pagibig.

(From the sermon entitled, “Ang mga Taong Karamay sa Hirap ng Panginoong Hesus” for April 19, 2015)

What Christ suffered from the hands of His perpetrators is incomparable. He needed to undergo all of it to fulfill what is written in the book of the Prophets.

An example is written in Isaiah 53:3-6, which says,

“He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

Jesus was in excellent health, yet, at the garden of Gethse­mane, He underwent great emotional stress from being abandoned by friends, the thought of humiliation and a cruel death by crucifixion, that he produced bloodied beads of sweat. This condition is called hematidrosis or hemihidrosis, where the veins and skin become tender from anguish that they break, mixing the blood with sweat. Without sleep and breakfast, and weary from walking about 2.5 miles back and forth between the sites of different trials, Jesus’s body had become defenseless to the harsh scourging he would suffer hours later.

In March 1965 Dr. C. Truman Davis wrote an article titled “A medical explanation of what Jesus endured on the day He died,” published in Arizona Medicine by Arizona Medical Association. Davis, an ophthalmologist, a pastor, and author of a book about medicine and the Bible, wrote that the flagrum, a short whip with small balls of lead tied near the ends of each thong, “is brought down with full force again and again across Jesus’s shoulders, back, and legs. At first, the heavy thongs cut through the skin only.”

The succeeding blows, however, “cut deeper into the subcutaneous tissues, producing first an oozing of blood from the capillaries and veins of the skin and finally, spurting arterial bleeding from vessels in the underlying muscles.”  The whip tears into the deep skeletal muscles to produce ribbons of bleeding flesh.

At the mocking of Jesus, a crown of thorns was driven into his scalp, causing more bleeding, the scalp being among the most veined parts of the human body. They returned his robe, only to tear it off again, again opening the wounds whose dried blood has adhered to the cloth.

Finally, the journey to the Calvary begins. The heavy crossbar weighing 34 to 57 kg weight is put across his nape and shoulders. Today, men can swing sacks of rice weighing 50 kilos on their backs. But remember that Jesus was already very weak, had lost a great amount of blood, was in excruciating pain, and was under emotional strain.

He stumbles and falls repeatedly that Simon of Cyrene was ordered to carry the cross part of the way. More pain is coming. In preparation for his nailing to the cross, Jesus is violently thrown backward, grinding his continuously bleeding wounds onto the wood and possibly allowing dirt to enter them. Iron spikes measuring 5 t o 7 inches are driven through Jesus’ hands (some accounts say the wrists would be more accurate location. Medically speaking, the wrists are part of the hands). Because the hand is full of sensory nerves, any stimulation would cause agonizing shots of pain in both arms, and maybe throughout the body.

The feet are nailed next, and Jesus is now crucified. The nailed hands carry the weight of Jesus’s whole body and tear at the wounds. Meanwhile, the stimulation of the nerves in feet is also causing Jesus much pain.

Davis writes, “As He slowly sags down with more weight on the nails in the wrists, excruciating, fiery pain shoots along the fingers and up the arms – the nails in the wrists are putting pressure on the median nerves. As He pushes Himself upward to avoid this stretching torment, He places His full weight on the nail through His feet. Again, there is the searing agony of the nail tearing through the nerves between the metatarsal bones of the feet.”

In all of these sufferings, Christ did not open His mouth. He did not grumble nor complain. Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled, “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7) 

The same scenario was explained by Apostle Peter, ““He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” (1 Peter 2:22-23)

Many people today try to imitate the sufferings of Christ in many ways. They hurt themselves by carrying the cross, flagellations, and even nailing themselves in the cross like Christ did. However, is this how people can share or can partake of the sufferings of Christ?

Apostle Peter tells us that, “But because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice…” (1 Peter 4:13) He emphasizes that there are people who have shared with Christ sufferings. The question is, how?

Servants of God, who were called to be holy in the church of God, share with the sufferings of Christ because they experience sufferings while serving God. Apostle Paul tells us, “Now if we are children, then we are heirs —heirs of God and co- heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (Romans 8:17)

He adds, “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:12) Sufferings will be a part of serving God. These sufferings are different from what other people experience. Other people have sufferings because of their sins. Servants of God suffer because of the trials and tests of faith.

A servant, therefore, should rejoice; because he partakes with Christ’s sufferings when he suffers too. But that doesn’t mean he partakes only with the sufferings. A servant also partakes in happiness. Apostle Paul mentions this, “And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.” (2 Corinthians 1:7) 

So, if we sow with tears in this lifetime, the time will come we will reap with joy and gladness of heart. The gladness we are talking about here is when we receive the promise of God. Jesus Christ promised to give a special place, which He will prepare for His followers when He comes back (John 14:1-3).

This is the culminating glory that will be revealed for those who share in the sufferings of Christ in this lifetime. On that day, we shall receive the eternal reward in heaven. Everything will be gone, the sufferings, tears, hunger and thirst. We will all rejoice with God in His kingdom (Revelations 21:1-4).

However, to those who did not share in His sufferings, instead, lived their lives according to the pleasures and sins of the world, eternal punishment will be their reward. The Bible tells us, “You have been living delicately on earth and have taken your pleasure; you have made your hearts fat for a day of destruction.” (James 5:5) 

Filipino Translations:

Ang naranasang hirap sa pagkakatawang tao ng Panginoong Hesus ay walang katumbas. Kinailangan Niyang pagdaanan ang lahat ng mga hirap na ito sapagkat pawang nasulat sa aklat ng mga Propeta.

Halimbawa’y ang nakasaad sa Isaias 53: 3-6 na sinasabi,

“Siya’y hinamak at itinakuwil ng mga tao; isang taong sa kapanglawan, at bihasa sa karamdaman:at gaya ng isa na pinagkublihan ng kanilang mukha ng mga tao, na siya’y hinamak, at hindi natin hinalagahan siya. Tunay na kaniyang dinala ang ating mga karamdaman, at dinala ang ating mga kapanglawan; gayon ma’y ating pinalagay siya na hinampas, sinaktan ng Dios, at dinalamhati. Nguni’t siya’y nasugatan dahil sa ating mga pagsalangsang, siya’y nabugbog dahil sa ating mga kasamaan, ang parusa ng tungkol sa ating kapayapaan ay nasa kaniya; at sa pamamagitan ng kaniyang mga latay ay nagsigaling tayo. Tayong lahat na gaya ng mga tupa ay naligaw; tayo ay tumungo bawa’t isa sa kaniyang sariling daan; at ipinasan sa kaniya ng Panginoon ang kasamaan nating lahat.”

Sinasabi ng mga Bible scholars na ang pangangatawan ng Panginoong Hesus ay malakas, matipuno at malusog palibhasa ay lumaking anluwagi at taglay ang diet ng isang Meditteranean. Subalit nang araw na Siya ay dakpin hanggang doon sa araw na Siya ay ipako sa krus, halos 36 na oras Siyang gising. Dagdag pa dito ang halos 2.5 milyang paglalakad nang paroo’t parito.

Ang lalong nagbigay sa Kaniya ng paghihirap ay ang paghataw sa Kaniyang likod. Sa pagaaral na ginawa ni Dr. C. Truman Davis, na sumulat ng aklat tungkol sa “Medical Explanation of what Jesus Endured on the day He died,” na na-published sa Arizona Medicine ng Arizona Medical Association, ay sumulat na ang flagrum na ginamit na panghampas sa Kaniyang likod ay isang maiksing pamalo na may bolang gawa sa tingga sa dulo nito. Inihampas ito nang buong puwersa sa Kaniyang likod, leeg, batok, binti at hita. Sa una ay sumusugat ang mabigat na balat (thongs) sa Kaniyang balat, subalit kasunod nito ay ang malalim na pagkakabaon ng mga bolitas, na nagpaluwa ng Kaniyang mga balat at laman, kasunod ang pagdaloy nang dugo mula sa ugat na nasugatan nang husto.

Kasunod nito ang paglalagay sa Kaniya ng koronang tinik na ibinaon sa Kaniyang anit at ulo, na lalong nagdulot ng pag-agos ng maraming dugo. Pagkatapos ay pinasan Niya ang horizontal bar na gawa sa kahoy na may timbang na halos 34 hanggang 57 kilos, at halos kalahating milya ang Kaniyang nilakad hanggang sa bundok ng Golgota. Ilang beses Siyang nadapa sa tindi ng hirap, kung kaya’t naatasan si Simon ng Cirenea na magdala ng krus.

Patuloy ang hirap at sakit na nadama ng Panginoong Hesus nang Siya ay sapilitang ipinako sa Krus, na ang Kaniyang mga sugat sa likod ay marahil lalong nagdugo bunga ng pagkakadikit nito sa kahoy. At ang mga pako na tinatayang may sukat na 5 hanggang 7 pulgada ay ibinaon sa Kaniyang mga kamay. Ang ibang nagsasaad ay nagsasabing sa pulso ito ibinaon. Ang pulso ay maituturing na bahagi pa din ng kamay. At dahil ang kamay ay puno ng sensory nerves, lalong nadama ng Panginoong Hesus ang sakit na idinulot ng pagkakapako nito. Kasunod ay ipinako ang Kaniyang mga paa. Ang bigat ng Kaniyang katawan ay halos binubuhat ng nakapako Niyang mga kamay habang nadarama Niya ang sakit hanggang sa Kaniyang talampakan.

Sa lahat ng mga ito ay hindi nagbuka ng bibig ang Panginoong Hesus. Hindi Siya nagreklamo o dumaing man lang. Natupad ang sinabi ng Propeta Isaias, “Siya’y napighati, gayon man nang siya’y dinalamhati ay hindi nagbuka ng kaniyang bibig; gaya ng kordero na dinadala sa patayan, at gaya ng tupang nasa harap ng mga manggugupit sa kaniya ay pipi, gayon ma’y hindi niya binuka ang kaniyang bibig.” (Isaias 53:7)

Ganito din ang naging paliwanag ni Apostol Pedro, “Na, nang siya’y alipustain, ay hindi gumanti ng pagalipusta; nang siya’y magbata, ay hindi nagbala; kundi ipinagkatiwala ang kaniyang sarili doon sa humahatol ng matuwid: Na siya rin ang nagdala ng ating mga kasalanan sa kaniyang katawan sa ibabaw ng kahoy, upang pagkamatay natin sa mga kasalanan, ay mangabuhay tayo sa katuwiran; na dahil sa kaniyang mga sugat ay nangagsigaling kayo.” (1 Pedro 2:22-23)

Sa panahon nating ito, sa kagustuhan ng mga tao na gunitain ang mga hirap at sakit ng Panginoong Hesus, ay nagsasagawa sila ng sari-saring bagay ng pagpapahirap sa kanilang mga sarili. Ang iba’y nagpipinetensiya, nagpapasan ng krus, naglalakad ng paluhod at ang iba’y sadyang pisikal na nagpapapako sa krus. Datapuwat, sa ganitong bagay ba maaaring makaramay sa mga hirap at sakit ng ating Panginoong Hesus?

Sa sulat ni Apostol Pedro (1 Pedtro 4:13), binanggit niya, “Kundi kayo’y mangagalak, sapagka’t kayo’y mga karamay sa mga hirap ni Cristo…” Dito ay binibigyang diin na may mga taong naging karamay ng ating Panginoong Hesuskristo. Subalit sa paanong paraan?

Ang mga itinuturing na mga anak ng Dios, samakatuwid ay yaong mga napabilang sa Kaniyang kulungan, sa iglesia ng Dios ay nagiging kabahagi at karamay sa Kaniyang hirap sa paraan ng pakikipagtiis sa Kaniya. Gaya nang sinabi, “At kung mga anak, ay mga tagapagmana nga; mga tagapagmana sa Dios, at mga kasamang tagapagmana ni Cristo; kung gayon nga makipagtiis tayo sa kaniya, upang tayo’y lumuwalhati namang kasama niya.” (Roma 8:17)

Kaya nga, “lahat ng ibig mabuhay na may kabanalan kay Cristo Jesus ay mangagbabata ng paguusig.” (2 Timoteo 3:12) Ang mga tiising nararanasan ng isang lingkod ay palatandaan ng pagiging karamay sa mga naging paghihirap ng ating Panginoong Hesus. Datapuwat, ang pagtitiis ng isang lingkod ay iba sa karaniwang tinitiis ng maraming mga tao. May mga kapighatiang nararanasan ang tao bunga ng kanilang pagkakasala. Ang mga lingkod ay nakakaranas ng pagtitiis bunga ng mga pagsubok na ipinadadala sa kanila ng Dios.

Kung ang isang lingkod ay nakakaranas ng pagtitiis bunga ng mga pagsubok at kapighatian, gaya nang sinabi ng Biblia, dapat magalak ang mga lingkod sapagkat sila ay tunay na nagiging karamay sa mga hirap ng Panginoong Hesus. Ibig sabihin ay nagiging kabahagi ang isang mananampalataya sa pagdadala ng mga hirap at sakit ng Panginoong Hesus.

Kung naging karamay man ang isang lingkod, hindi naman sila hahayaan na pawang kapighatian na lamang ang kanilang mararanasan. Sinabi ng Biblia na maging sa kaaliwan ay karamay sila, “At ang aming pagasa tungkol sa inyo ay matibay; yamang nalalaman na kung paanong kayo’y mga karamay sa mga sakit, ay gayon din naman kayo sa kaaliwan.” (2 Corinto 1:7) 

Kung naghasik man sila nang may luha sa panahong ito, darating ang araw na sila ay aani na may kagalakan. Ang tinutukoy nating pagani ng kagalakan ay kung makakamit na ang pangakong buhay na walang hanggan. Ipinangako ni Hesus, ang tahanan na Kaniyang inihanda para sa Kaniyang mga lingkod (Juan 14:1-3), at ang pangakong ito ay ang pinakalundo ng lahat ng ating tiisin. Sapagkat sa araw na yaon, na ating makakamit ang buhay na walang hanggan, sa langit, lahat ng bagay ay papawiin ng Dios, wala nang hirap, dusa, luhat at panambitan, wala nang gutom at uhaw, kundi pawang kaligayahan sa piling ng Ama (Apocalipsis 21:1-4).

Datapuwat sa kanilang mga hindi naging karamay at sa halip ay nagpakasarap lamang sa layaw at kasamaan ng sanlibutang ito ay nakalaan ang parusang walang hanggan. Gaya nang sinabi, “Kayo’y nangabuhay ng tamasa sa ibabaw ng lupa, at nangagalak; inyong pinataba ang inyong mga puso sa araw ng patayan.” (Santiago 5:5)

(From the sermon entitled, “Ang Ipinapayo ng Biblia sa Nagsisigawa ng Mabuti” for April 23, 2015)

The words of God are likened to good seeds, which were sown in a field. Since it was sown in a good field, it resulted to produce good fruits. Jesus says, “But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” (Luke 8:15) God expects everyone to produce good deeds and this shows that we are indeed sown with His words.

God doesn’t expect fruits from those who do not recognize Him, from those who do not accept His words. Only those who hear His words are expected to produce fruit.

The Bible tells us that those who produce good fruits have pure hearts. The effect of God’s words in their hearts made them pure. Thus, in everything they do, they always seek good intentions. They always value the words of God like they value their lives.

They do not deviate from His words no matter what they experience in life and continue to do good deeds because they know God is truly looking for it.

Apostle Paul advises, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:10) We need to take every opportunity to do good deeds as long as we can. This is God’s purpose for everyone, to do His will, to do good deeds, and this is why He had called us to be His servants unto His church (1 Corinthians 1:1-2), we are called to be holy. Doing good deeds, walking in His will is holiness in God’s eyes.

However, doing good deeds and walking unto His will has a price for all servants of God. Apostle Paul mentions, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12) Thus, anyone who wishes to be worthy in God’s eyes will have to suffer painful experiences in life. Every believer should expect this. Jesus warns His disciples before about this, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Apostle Paul attested to this statement of Christ for all faithful who wishes to follow Him. They will definitely experience painful things. In his letter in 2 Corinthians 7:5, he mentions, “For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn —conflicts on the outside, fears within.” Not only that they experienced persecutions outside the church of God, but as well as from those who were members of God’s church. Do not wonder if we experience this in our times.

To be able to withstand such painful experiences, we need to follow the instructions of the Bible. We should not let these sufferings affect our faith. Apostle Pete tells us, “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble” (2 Peter 1:10) We need to show that amidst these sufferings, persecutions and many other trials that befall us, we are always hopeful in God at all times, that we are always strong when we feel weak. This was explained by Apostle Paul, “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10)

Even if we are suffering, we continue to show good intentions. Even if others treated us rudely and wrongly, we respond to the goodness of heart. Apostle Peter tells us of this, “keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” (1 Peter 3:16) Christ’s examples should be imitated, that when He suffered from persecutions, He did not take revenge but showed mercy, compassion and forgiveness (1 Peter 2:21-23).

Let us not forget that we are servants of God. Do not allow hatred root in us. Let us allow God to take His revenge for us. Revenge is for God alone. Listen to what Apostle Paul tells us, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.” (Colossians 3:23-25)

Filipino Translations:

Ang mga salita ng Dios ay itinulad sa mga mabuting binhi na inihasik sa mabuting lupa, na sapagkat mabuti ang lupa, nagbunga ito ng mabuting gawa. Gaya nang pahayag, “ang sa mabuting lupa ay ang mga pusong timtiman at mabuti, na iniingatan ang salita pagkarinig, at nangagbubunga may pagtitiis.” (Lukas 8:15) Kung mayroon mang inaasahan ang Dios sa atin ay ang paggawa ng mabuti, sa ganito’y mahayag na tayo ang nahasikan ng Kaniyang mga salita.

Hindi inaasahan ng Dios na ang mga hindi kumilala at tumanggap sa Kaniyang mga salita ay kakikitaan Niya ng mga mabuting gawa. Ang tunay Niyang hinahanap ay ang mabuting bunga na magmumula sa kanilang nahasikan ng Kaniyang mga salita.

Gaya nang pahayag, taglay nila ang pusong timtiman, na ang ibig sabihin, sapagkat nagkaroon ng epekto sa kanila ang mga salita ng Dios, pawang mabubuting intensyon lamang ang sa kanila’y makikita. Bawat katuwiran na kanilang tinatanggap ay kanilang iniingatan at pinahahalagahan sa kanilang sarili. Nagbubunga ito ng pagtitiis sa kanilang buhay kaya’t anuman ang kanilang maranasan, nagpapatuloy sila sa paggawa ng mabuti na tunay na hinahanap ng Dios.

Kaya’t ipinayo ni Pablo, “Kaya nga, samantalang tayo’y may pagkakataon, ay magsigawa tayo ng mabuti sa lahat, at lalong lalo na sa mga kasangbahay sa pananampalataya.” (Galacia 6:10) Ibig sabihin habang may pagkakataon tayo ay samantalahin natin ang paggawa ng mabuti sa lahat. Ito ang layunin ng Dios sa atin, ang lumakad tayo sa mabuti, ang gumanap ng Kaniyang kalooban. At ito ang dahilan kung bakit tayo tinawag ng Dios sa loob ng iglesia ng Dios (1 Corinto 1:1-2), ang magpakabanal. Ang paggawa ng mabuti ay kabanalan sa paningin ng Dios.

Sinabi na ng Biblia, “… at lahat na ibig mabuhay na may kabanalan kay Cristo Jesus ay mangagbabata ng paguusig.” (2 Timoteo 3:12) Samakatuwid, sinumang ibig gumawa ng kabanalan o mabuting bagay ay magdadaan sa maraming kapighatian. At ito ay dapat asahan ng lahat ng ibig maglingkod sa Dios. Ipinagpauna ng Panginoong Hesus noon pa sa Kaniyang mga alagad, “sa sanlibutang ito ay mayroon kayong kapighatian, kaya’t laksan ninyo ang inyong loob.” (Juan 16:33)

Ang patunay ni Pablo sa kanilang karanasan sa Macedonia ay nagpapahayag na sila man ay hindi nakatakas sa mga mapapait na karanasan, “nagsidating man kami sa Macedonia ang aming laman ay hindi nagkaroon ng katiwasayan, kundi sa lahat kami ay pinipighati; sa labas ay mga pagbabaka, sa loob ay mga katakutan.” (2 Corinto 7:5)

Hindi lamang pala sa labas ng iglesia nakaranas ang mga unang lingkod ng kapighatian, maging sa gitna ng mga kapatid ay naranasan nila ang mapighati. Kaya’t kung tayo man sa panahong ito halimbawa ay makaranas ng ganitong uri ng kapighatian, sa kabila ng ating pagtatapat sa Kaniya ay hindi tayo dapat magtaka.

Kaya naman, upang tayo ay makapagtiis, ipinayo ng Biblia na maging matatag tayo at huwag nating payagang tayo ay matinag ng mga kapighatiaang ito. Sinabi ng Biblia, “lalong pagsikapan ninyo na mangapanatag kayo sa pagkatawag at pagkahirang sa inyo: sapagka’t kung gawin ninyo ang mga bagay na ito ay hindi kayo mangatitisod kailan man.” (2 Pedro 1:10)

Ipakita natin na sa kabila ng mga kahirapan, paguusig at kapighatiang ito na ating napagdadaanan ay nananatili an gating matibay na pagasa sa Dios. Gaya nang pagkasabi ni Pablo, “Kaya nga ako’y nagagalak sa mga kahinaan, sa mga pagkaapi, sa mga pangangailangan, sa mga pagkakausig, sa mga paghihinagpis, dahil kay Cristo: sapagka’t pagka ako’y mahina, ako nga’y malakas.” (2 Corinto 12:10)

Manatili pa din tayong taglay ang mabuting intension sa kabila ng masasamang bagay na maaaring ginagawa sa atin. Kung masama man ang ipinakikita sa atin ay gantihin natin ito ng kabutihan upang sila na nagsisigawa ng kasamaan ay mangapahiya. Gaya nang sinabi ni Apostol Pedro, “Na taglay ang mabuting budhi; upang, sa mga bagay na salitain laban sa inyo, ay mangapahiya ang nagsisialipusta sa inyong mabuting paraan ng pamumuhay kay Cristo.” (1 Pedro 3:16)

Ang halimbawa ng Panginoong Hesus ay maging uliran sa atin, na Siya bagama’t inupasala ay hindi kinakitaan ng pagganti, manapa ang narinig sa Kaniya ay ang aral ng pagpapatawad (1 Pedro 2:21-23). Ang mga ito ay halimbawa na iniwan sa atin upang ating tularan.

Tandaan natin na tayo ay mga lingkod ng Dios. Hayaan nating ang Dios ang gumanti para sa atin. Tungkol sa mga kapatid natin na maaaring gumagawa ng masama sa atin, hayaan nating ang Dios ang sumaway sa kanila. Sundin natin ang payo, “Anomang inyong ginagawa, ay inyong gawin ng buong puso, na gaya ng sa Panginoon, at hindi sa mga tao; Yamang inyong nalalaman na sa Panginoon ay tatanggapin ninyo ang ganting mana; sapagka’t naglilingkod kayo sa Panginoong Jesucristo. Sapagka’t ang gumagawa ng masama ay tatanggap ng ayon sa masama na kaniyang ginawa; at walang itinatanging mga tao.” (Colosas 3:23-25)

(From the sermon entitled, “Ang Tanging Magagawa ng mga Kapatid na Naghahangad ng Kaharian ng Langit” for April 26, 2015)

The road going to the Kingdom of Heaven was obviously taught by the Bible. Only through Christ, we can enter His kingdom. There is no other way. Christ is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6) 

Anyone who wishes to enter the Kingdom of Heaven should seek Christ first. The Bible tells us that only through the name of Christ, we should attain salvation. It says, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”(Acts 4:12) 

The way mentioned here is the way, which Apostle Paul taught to the Gentiles, that he persecuted before when he was still Saul. Raised up as a Jew, and studied under Gamaliel, was thoroughly trained in the laws of God, he was very zealous of God and made him persecute the way, the church of God (Acts 22:3). The next verse tells us that, he persecuted the church of God, “I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, as the high priest and all the Council can themselves testify. I even obtained letters from them to their associates in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.” (Galatians 1:13)

Even if it says that it is the followers of the church that he persecuted, Christ told him that it is Him that was persecuted. The book of Acts tells us, “He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied” (Acts 9:4-5)

Christ is the head of the church of God. If someone hurts the church or its followers, they also hurt Christ. This is the reason why Christ is the only way to salvation. He is the source of the words that give eternal life. Apostle Peter tells us, “Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)

Becoming a member of His church, therefore, is a requirement of attaining everlasting life. This is the direction where the Bible is pointing everyone. It says, “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.” (John 12:26)

Doing God’s will in His church is what God expects everyone to fulfill. If we really want to have eternal life, we need to follow the right direction. Otherwise, we can get lost. We need to follow God’s will and commands. However, in obeying His will we need to be truthful at all times. There are those who obey, but were only forced to do so. There are those who obey, but for own sake or other’s sake only. There are those who obey for material benefits.

However, there are those who obey because they truly believe and trust God. Absolute obedience is what God wants us to do. Make sure that we do His will absolutely and humbly. The Bible tells us, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

If we obey His will, we should assure that we are always truthful and faithful. We obey truthfully, even without someone is looking at us. We should not make a right or left turn, and we keep our feet away from all wickedness (Job 23:11).

Unfortunately, not all can do this. Only those who know His will absolutely can fulfill His will absolutely. Those who pretend that they know His will can never do them.

The Bible tells us, “Whether it is favorable or unfavorable, we will obey the Lord our God” (Jeremiah 42:6) This means that a true faithful will always remain faithful no matter what happens. He will do God’s will, all the time of his life, whether he suffers from painful things or been blessed with happiness in life.

A true sheep hears the words of God (John 10:3-5), and a true servant of God follows His will, not only for a short time only but as long as he is living and until his death.

Filipino Translations:

Ang direksiyon patungo sa Kaharian ng Langit ay maliwanag na itinuro sa atin ng Biblia. Tanging kay Hesus natin masusumpungan ang daan ng kaligtasan. Wala tayong ibang puwedeng pagdaanan. Si Kristo, ang daan, ang katotohanan at ang buhay (Juan 14:6).

Sinumang nagiibig na makarating sa Kaharian ng Langit ay magdadaan sa Panginoong Hesus. Maliban sa Kaniya ay walang kaligtasan ang sinuman (Gawa 4:12), walang ibang pangalan sa silong ng langit, na ibinigay sa mga tao, na sukat nating ikaligtas. 

Ang daan na ito ang itinuro ni Apostol Pablo sa mga Kahentilan, na nang una ay kaniyang inusig nang siya ay tinatawag pang Saulo. Palibhasa’y lumaking Hudyo, masikap sa kabanalan at mga bagay na ukol sa Dios, sinikap niyang pagusigin ang daan, ang Iglesia ng Dios. (Gawa 22:3)

Katunayan sa susunod na talata ay mababasa, “At aking pinagusig ang Daang ito hanggang sa mamatay, na tinatalian at ipinapasok sa mga bilangguan ang mga lalake at gayon din ang mga babae.” (Gawa 22:4) Ito din ang isinulat niya sa mga taga-Galacia, “Sapagka’t inyong nabalitaan ang aking pamumuhay nang nakaraang panahon sa relihion ng mga Judio, kung paanong aking inuusig na malabis, at nilipol ang iglesia ng Dios.” (Galacia 1:13) 

Bagaman iglesia ang kaniyang inusig, isinaad ng Biblia na si Hesus ang Kaniyang inusig, sapagkat si Kristo ay ang ulo ng iglesia at ang iglesia ay Kaniyang katawan. Natala ito sa aklat ng mga Gawa ng mga Apostol (Gawa 9:4-5), “At siya’y nasubasob sa lupa, at nakarinig ng isang tinig na sa kaniya’y nagsasabi, Saulo, Saulo, bakit mo ako pinaguusig? At sinabi niya, Sino ka baga, Panginoon? At sinabi niya, Ako’y si Jesus na iyong pinaguusig.”

Kaya’t tanging Siya lamang ang daan ng kaligtasan, ang kinaroonan ng mga salita ng buhay na walang hanggan, gaya nang Kaniyang pahayag, “Sinagot siya ni Simon Pedro, Panginoon, kanino kami magsisiparoon? ikaw ang may mga salita ng buhay na walang hanggan.” (Juan 6:68)

Kaya’t ang pag-anib sa iglesia ng Dios ay paraan upang masumpungan ang buhay na walang hanggan. Ito ang itinuturo ng Biblia na kailangang magawa nating mga tao dahil ang pahayag, “Kung ang sinomang tao’y naglilingkod sa akin, ay sumunod sa akin; at kung saan ako naroroon, ay doon naman doroon ang lingkod ko: kung ang sinomang tao’y maglingkod sa akin, ay siya’y pararangalan ng Ama.” (Juan 12:26) 

At ito ang itinuturo ng ating aralin, ang pagsunod o pagtalima sa Kaniyang mga palatuntunan, sa loob ng Kaniyang iglesia. Ito lamang ang tanging magagawa natin kung hangad natin ang makaparoon sa Kaharian ng Langit. Datapuwat sa pagsunod o pagtalima ay mayroong hinahanap ang Dios sa atin. Mayroong sumusunod na parang napipilitan lamang. May sumusunod na nagbibigay lugod lamang sa sarili o sa kapuwa. May sumusunod na naghihintay ng materyal na bagay na kapalit.

Mayroon naming tumatalima sapagkat atas ng kanilang pagtitiwala sa Dios. Lubos na pagtalima ang hinahanap ng Dios sa atin. Gaya nang pahayag, “Kaniyang ipinakilala sa iyo, Oh tao, kung ano ang mabuti; at ano ang hinihingi ng Panginoon sa iyo, kundi gumawa na may kaganapan, at ibigin ang kaawaan, at lumakad na may kababaan na kasama ng iyong Dios.” (Mikas 6:8) At gaganap na din lamang, tiyakin nating ito ay may kaganapan at kababaan.

At sa pagsunod natin, tiyakin nating ito ay gagawin natin nang buong katapatan. Gaganap at tatalima tayo kahit walang nakakakita sa atin. At gaganapin natin itong may pagtatapat, na hindi tayo liliko sa kanan o sa kaliwa, kundi iingatan natin ang ating mga paa sa paglakad nang lubos sa Kaniyang mg autos (Job 23:11).

Bagaman ito ay atas, hindi lahat ay makagagawa nito. Ang makagagawa lamang nito ay siyang nakakakilala ng tunay na kalooban ng Dios. Silang mga hindi ganap ang pagkakilala sa Kaniyang mga kalooban ay masusumpungan pa din sa hindi lubos na pagtalima. Ngunit silang sa Kaniya’y may lubos na pagkilala ay magtatapat anuman ang dumating sa kanilang buhay.

Gaya nang sinabi ng Biblia, “Maging mabuti, o maging masama, aming tatalimahin ang tinig ng Panginoon nating Dios.” (Jeremias 42:6) Ibig sabihin, mabuti man o masama ang kalagayan ng buhay ay mananatili sa pagtatapat. Subukin man o magdanas man ng mabibigat na karanasan ay mananatiling tapat sa Kaniya.

Ang tunay na tupa ay dumidinig ng tinig ng Panginoong Dios (Juan 10:3-5). At ang tunay na lingkod ay tumatalima sa Kaniyang mga kalooban, hindi lamang sa sandaling panahon, kundi samantalang taglay nito ang buhay at lakas na kaloob ng Dios.

(From the sermon entitled,” Ang Itinakdang Gampanin sa Lahat ng Magtatagumpay” for April 30 and May 3, 2015)

Obedience to the will of God is expected to every servant. The primary duty of everyone is to fear God and obey His will and commands (Ecclesiastes 12:13). This is the reason why we were created, and we need to fulfill this purpose.

In fulfilling this duty, it is we who will benefit most and not God. He will remain the Most Highest and Most Almighty God, even if we do not obey His will. The loss will be on us if we do not obey His will because we lose the chance to become part of His promise and reward.

If we decide to fulfill this purpose, we need to make sure we are prepared to fulfill it until the end. We need to be consistent, determined and triumphant in order to achieve God’s promise and reward. The Bible tells us, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

Apostle Paul tells us that we need to value the duty (ministry) given to us more than we value our lives (Acts 20:24). This means our priority in life should be focused not on material things, but to the spiritual duty that God has trusted over us. This also means we need to make lots of sacrifices if necessary.

In the parable of talent (Matthew 25:14-17), Jesus tells us that each of us is given a talent according to the desire of God. This talent should be used, make the most out of it, should be beneficial to us and should bear fruit of good works. This should not be hidden or something that we should be ashamed of. Each talent given should be an opportunity to do holy works, not on our personal pleasure, but to the pleasure of the Almighty God.

We please God by using the talent given to us. However, not all who were given talent become fruitful. Some of them were afraid to use it. Some were just enthusiastic in the beginning, but became complacent and lazy as years go by. Some were not able to continue when they experience sufferings and trials of life. There are some who started in the spirit, but finishing it in the flesh (Galatians 3:3). These people will not bear fruit. They will never please God.

God expects us to utilize the talent given to us. God wants us to be more of a doer than a listener (James 1:23-25). It is useless if we say we have faith in the absence of good works. Anyone who does the will of God will be revealed. Their actions and fruits will reveal them. Changes will be seen in their lives. Their wisdom and understanding grow and their faith in God flourishes. Progress is evident to those who do the will of God (1 Timothy 4:15).

This fulfills what Jesus Christ tells us, “But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)

And so, along with understanding, acceptance of His will and duty is a great responsibility for every servant of God. Let us remember that God cannot be mocked (Galatians 6:7-8). Whatever we sow now, so shall we reap at an appointed time. God harvests where He has not sown and gathers where He have not scattered seed. He expects us to give importance on every duty given to us. If we are not seen giving importance, then this will reflect back against us in the future. God expects us to bear fruits.

What authority will be given to those who will become triumphant?

One of God’s promise to His followers is written in Revelations 2:26, which says, “To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations —…” What is the meaning of this? What kind of authority will God give to those who will become victorious? Will God make us Presidents, Kings and Emperors of this world?

The Bible answers us clearly; the authority is about judging the world at the Day of Judgment. Apostle Paul tells us of this, “Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world…” (1 Corinthians 6:2)

In a vision shown to Apostle John, we can read, “I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge.” (Revelations 20:4) Those people mentioned here are faithful servants of God who have overcome the world. They will be given a chance to become helpers of God in the Day of Judgment.

No wonder why we were not given an authority and freedom to judge others today, it’s because this authority has not been given to us yet. There will come a time that this authority will be delegated to the faithful servants of God. Apostle Paul tells us about this, “Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart.” (1 Corinthians 4:5)

For now, God challenges us to be faithful in our holy obligations and duties. Each member of the church of God was given an ability to fulfill each duty. Every ability is a huge responsibility that we need to fulfill.

Let us start fulfilling it in our homes. Let us become good parents to our children, become good children to our parents and become good friends to everyone. Being good here doesn’t mean good only according to what our heart desires. Being good here means being good according to the will and desires of the Lord.

Let us not get weary and lazy, but let us be persistent, because we will reap the reward and God’s promise at an appointed time. Also, we were advised to give importance to every assembly or gathering of the church (Hebrews 10:25). Let us encourage one another to meet together for the Lord, and do not be like others who have habits of neglecting them.

Most of all, we need to keep our spiritual duties with all zealousness and faithfulness, like what Apostle Paul tells us, “Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” (2 Timothy 1:14) 

Above all else, if we can be faithful in our duties and holy obligations, we need to learn how to appreciate God’s goodness and blessings. These are all God’s grace and mercy for everyone. And as His servant, we are expected to offer praise and thanksgiving in all of His love towards us.

Filipino Translation:

Ang pagtupad o pagtalima sa kaloban ng Dios ay inaasahan sa lahat ng mga lingkod. Ang buong tungkulin nating mga tao ay magkaroon ng takot sa Dios at sundin ang Kaniyang mg autos (Eclesiastes 12:13). Ito ang dahilan ng pagkakalikha sa ating mga tao, kung kaya’t dapat lamang na matugunan natin ang katungkulang ito.

Sa pagganap ng tungkuling ito, ang higit na makikinabang ay walang iba kundi tayo at hindi ang Dios. Ganapin man natin ang tungkuling ito o hindi, mananatiling ang Dios ay Makapagyarihang Dios. Subalit, isang malaking kawalan naman para sa atin, sapagkat mawawalan tayo ng pagkakataon sa Kaniyang pangako at gantimpala.

Kung tayo ay gaganap, dapat nating matiyak na tatapusin natin ang anumang napasimulan natin. Kailangan ang pananatili, pagpapatuloy at pagtatagumpay alang-alang sa ikapagtatamo ng pangako at gantimpala. Kaya naman, inaasahan ng Dios na bawat isa ay gaganap na may kaganapan gaya nang pahayag, “Kaniyang ipinakilala sa iyo, Oh tao, kung ano ang mabuti; at ano ang hinihingi ng Panginoon sa iyo, kundi gumawa na may kaganapan, at ibigin ang kaawaan, at lumakad na may kababaan na kasama ng iyong Dios.” (Mikas 6:8)

Sa sulat ni Apostol Pablo, ipinayo niya na ang pagpapahalagang dapat nating ibigay sa tungkuling ito ay dapat na higit pa sa pagpapahalaga natin sa sarili nating buhay (Gawa 20:24). Ibig sabihin, ang dapat na maging pangunahin sa atin ay ang tungkuling ito. At upang magawa ito, maraming mga bagay ang kailangan nating isakripisyo. Ang lahat ng ito ay alang-alang sa katungkulang kaloob sa atin.

Sa isang talinhaga na inilahad ng Panginoong Hesus (Mateo 25:14-17), bawat isa ay binibigyan ng talento sa iba’t ibang kasukatan. Ang talentong ito na bigay Niya ay dapat gamitin, pakinabangan at dapat na kakitaan ng pagbubunga. Hindi ito dapat itago, ikahiya at ipagdamot. Bawat talentong kaloob sa isang lingkod ay pagkakataon na gumawa ng mabuti at ng kabanalan, hindi sa sariling kapurihan kundi sa kapurihan ng Dios.

Ikinalulugod ng Dios kung ang talentong kaloob Niya ay gagamitin, pakikinabangan at magbubunga. Subalit ang nakalulungkot, hindi lahat ay kinakitaan ng pagbubunga. Mayroong ilan na natakot na gamitin ang talento. Mayroong ilan na sa pasimula lamang mahusay. Hindi nakapagpatuloy nang dumating na ang mga mabibigat na pagsubok ng buhay. Mayroon namang nagpasimula sa pagpapakasakdal sa espiritu, datapuwat kalaunan ay sa laman na nagpapakasdal (Galacia 3:3). Hindi magbubunga kaylanman ang ganito. Kaylanman ay hindi makapagbibigay ng lugod sa Dios.

Ang hangad ng Dios, gamitin at pakinabangan ang kaloob Niya sa atin. Ang gusto Niya, maging tagatupad tayo at hindi lamang tagapakinig ng Kaniyang mga salita (Santiago 1:25). Walang kabuluhan at walang bunga kung tayo ay magiging tagapakinig lamang. Sinumang gumaganap ay nahahayag, sapagkat nakikita ang malaking pagbabago sa buhay, ang paglago ng unawa at ng pananampalataya. Ibig sabihin ay nahahayag ang pagsulong sapagkat mayroong pagsisikap (1 Timoteo 4:15).

Kaya’t natutulad ang ganito sa naging pahayag ng Panginoong Hesus, “At ang nahasik sa mabuting lupa, ay siyang dumirinig, at nakauunawa ng salita; na siyang katotohanang nagbubunga, ang ila’y tigisang daan, ang ila’y tigaanim na pu, at ang ila’y tigtatatlongpu.” (Mateo 13:23) 

Kaya’t kalakip ng pagkaunawa, pagtanggap sa Kaniyang mga kalooban at ng tungkuling Siya ay paglingkuran ay ang malaking pananagutan at responsibilidad. Pakatandaan nating ang Dios ay hindi napabibiro (Galacia 6:7-8), anuman ang inihasik natin ay siya din naman nating aanihin. Kung hindi tayo nakita sa pagpapahalaga sa tungkuling ito, mananagot tayo sa Dios. Umaani ang Dios sa hindi Niya hinasikan. Hahanapin Niya sa atin ang anumang bagay na ibinigay Niya sa atin, at inaasahan Niya na ito ay gagamitin natin, pakikibangan sa ating buhay at kakikitaan ng mabuting bunga.

Sa lahat ng magtatagumpay, ano ang itinakdang gampanin ng Dios?

Isa sa mga pangako ng Dios sa Kaniyang mga lingkod ay yaong napasulat sa Apocalipsis 2:26 na sinasabi, “At ang magtagumpay, at tumupad ng aking mga gawa hanggang sa katapusan, ay bibigyan ko ng kapamahalaan sa mga bansa.” Ano ang kahulugan nito? Anong uri ng kapahamalaan ang ibibigay ng Dios? Gagawin ba Niya tayong mga mga Pangulo, Hari at mga Emperador kung tayo ay magtagumpay?

Ang sagot ng Biblia ay maliwanag, ang kapamahalaang ibibigay ay tungkol sa paghatol sa Araw ng Paghuhukom. Sinabi ni Apostol Pablo, “O hindi baga ninyo nalalaman na ang mga banal ay magsisihatol sa sanglibutan?” (1 Corinto 6:2)

Sa ipinakitang pangitain kay Apostol Juan, mababasa natin, “At nakakita ako ng mga luklukan, at may mga nagsisiluklok sa mga ito, sila’y pinagkalooban ng paghatol…” (Apocalipsis 20:4) Mga lingkod ng Dios ang tinutukoy dito, na binigyan ng kapamahalaang maging mga hukom sa araw ng yaon. Makakatuwang sila ng Panginoong Hesus sa paghatol sa araw na yaon.

Kaya pala hindi tayo binigyan ng kalayaan at karapatang humatol sa kaninuman sa ngayon, sapagkat may panahon na itinakda ang Dios para sa kapamahalaang ito. Kaya pala sinabi ni Apostol Pablo, “Kaya nga huwag muna kayong magsihatol ng anoman, hanggang sa dumating ang Panginoon, na siya ang maghahayag ng mga bagay na nalilihim sa kadiliman, at ipahahayag naman ang mga haka ng mga puso…” (1 Corinto 4:5)

Sa ngayon, ang hamon sa atin ng Dios ay pagsikapang magampanan ang tungkuling kaloob sa atin. Bawat isang sangkap ng iglesia ng Dios ay biniyayaan ng kani-kaniyang tungkulin. At ang bawat tungkuling ito ay pananagutan na dapat magampanan.

Umpisahan natin sa ating sariling tahanan. Maging mabuting magulang tayo sa ating mga anak, at maging mabuting mga anak tayo sa ating mga magulang. Maging mabuting kapatid din tayo sa ating mga kapatid, at maging mabuting kaibigan tayo sa ating mga kapuwa. Ang pagiging mabuti na tinutukoy dito ay yaong naaayon hindi lamang sa ating pansariling damdamin o kalooban. Dapat ang lahat ng ating gagawin ay yaong naaayon sa kalooban ng Dios, yaong Kaniyang tunay na ikinalulugod.

Huwag din tayong maging tamad, kundi maging mapagpatuloy tayo, sapagkat sa takdang kapanahunan ay susuklian ng gantimpala ang anumang pagsisikap na ating ipinamalas. Sa pagkakatipon ay dapat tayong kakitaan ng sipag sa pagganap (Hebreo10:25), na huwag nating tularan ang iba na nagagawang magpabaya.

Higit sa lahat, ingatan natin ng buong pagsisikap ang ipinagkatiwala sa atin ng Dios, gaya nang pahayag, “Yaong mabuting bagay na ipinagkatiwala sa iyo ay ingatan mo sa pamamagitan ng Espiritu Santo na nananahan sa atin.” (2 Timoteo 1:14)

Sa ibabaw ng lahat, kung tayo ay nakapananatili sa tungkuling ito, dapat naman nating ipakita ang malabis nating pagkilala sa mga kagandahang loob at pagibig ng Dios sa atin. Huwag nating kaligtaan ang pagpupuri at pagpapasalamat na tunay na nakapagbibigay ng kaluguran sa Kaniya.

(From the sermon entitled, “Ang mga Tao na Pinili ng Dios upang Makatahan sa Loob ng Kaniyang Bahay” for May 7, 2015)

A servant was called by God to serve and dwell in His house. This is the place God has chosen for them so they can follow God with all their heart, fulfill their holy obligations and perform holy deeds according to His will. This is not a literal place per se, but a manner of service.

Calling can come only from God (Hebrews 5:4). Nobody receives the honor of being a servant except when called by God. God puts His people in His house, which is the Church of God (1 Timothy 3:15). Their purpose is to become the holy people of God (1 Corinthian 1:1-2), by fullfiling God’s laws, commands and will (John 12:26), a cross that they need to bear in all the days of their lives (Luke 9:23).

The reward for doing this is eternal and it will come from God Himself. Apostle Paul explains this, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23-24)

The reward, therefore, is very priceless and incomparable to anything in this life. However, not all who were called remained in Him. Some of them walked away because they cannot withstand the doctrines and instructions. Others cannot continue because of the sufferings and trials. Those who are  foolish and wicked will not remain in God’s house. They will not receive any reward from God.

It is God’s trait to clean His house of all unrighteousness. Members whose aim is not truthful and genuinely spiritual will be separated. If their purposes are according to their self-desires and not according to the will of God,  they will be removed out of His house. This was stated in the book of Psalms 101:7-8, which says, “No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence. Every morning I will put to silence all the wicked in the land; I will cut off every evildoer from the city of the Lord.”

The administration doesn’t need to remove or excommunicate them. God owns this right. This is the reason why the church of God does not expel anyone. It was said in Psalms 125:5, “But those who turn to crooked ways the Lord will banish with the evildoers.”

Who are those who can remain in His house?

Only those who are obedient to His will can withstand. Those who rebel against Him shall banish from His sight. Only those who are truthful in His presence shall remain and they who have strong trust and faith in the Lord. They are firm in following His will because God is their refuge and a strong rock of foundation. The Bible tells us of this, “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.” (Psalms 125:1) 

Those who truly trust God remain faithful to Him. Whatever they experience in life they can never be moved. They have continuously performed their holy duties and responsibilities because they are focused on their goal and not on the obstacles or hindrances of life. They are focused on the eternal reward and that gives them a strong motivation to continually serve God with all faithfulness. Servants who can do this bear fruit of righteousness and holiness, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit —fruit that will last… “ (John 15:16)

They are doing this because they know that all their hardships and sacrifices will be rewarded at an appointed time. They believe in the promise of God and they trust it. Apostle Paul tells us, “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” (1 Timothy 6:18-19) 

And so, it is a blessed fate for all those who became children of God. We have the greatest chance to become heirs of His holy promise and see His greatness and goodness dwelling in His house. The book of Psalms 65:4 tells us, “Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.”

Filipino Translation

Bawat lingkod na tinatawag ng Dios upang sa Kaniya ay maglingkod ay inilalagay Niya sa isang dako. Ang dakong ito ay ang Kaniyang pinili upang doon ganapin ang kabanalan, paglilingkod at pagtupad sa Kaniyang mga palatuntunan. Hindi ito literal na dako, kundi pamamaraan ng paglilingkod.

Ang pagtawag ay nagmumula sa Dios (Hebreo5:4). Hindi nagtataglay ang sinuman ng karangalan, malibang siya ay tawagin ng Dios at sinumang tinatawag ay inilalagay sa bahay Niya, samakatuwid sa iglesia ng Dios. Tungkulin ng mga tinawag na magbanal (1 Corinto 1:1-2), ngunit higit sa lahat katungkulan nila ang pagtalima o pagsunod sa mga kalooban ng Dios (Juan 12:26). Ito ang krus na kailangang pasanin araw-araw ng bawat lingkod (Lukas 9:23).

Kung ito man ay gawin ng mga lingkod, nalalaman nilang ang kahihinatnan nito ay ang pagtatamo ng dakilang gantimpala mula sa Dios. Gaya nang pahayag, “Anomang inyong ginagawa, ay inyong gawin ng buong puso, na gaya ng sa Panginoon, at hindi sa mga tao; Yamang inyong nalalaman na sa Panginoon ay tatanggapin ninyo ang ganting mana; sapagka’t naglilingkod kayo sa Panginoong Jesucristo.” (Colosas 3:23-24)

Ngunit hindi lahat ng tinawag ng Dios ay nagkaroon ng pagkakataong makatahan sa Kaniyang bahay. May alituntunin sa bahay ng Dios, at ito ay nagsasabi na sinumang gumagawa ng karayaan ay hindi makatahahan kaylanman sa Kaniyang bahay.

Ugali ng Dios na maglinis ng mga hindi nararapat, kaya’t lahat ng lingkod na hindi totoo sa kanilang hangarin, lahat ng hindi lubos ang pagkilala at pagtalima, at lalo na silang nagsisigawa ng masama ay hindi papayagan ng Dios na manatili sa Kaniyang bahay. Katunayan sinasabi ng Biblia, “Siyang gumagawa ng karayaan ay hindi tatahan sa loob ng aking bahay… Tuwing umaga ay aking lilipulin ang lahat na masama sa lupain; upang ihiwalay ang lahat na manggagawa ng kasamaan sa bayan ng Panginoon.” (Awit 101:7-8)

Hindi na kailangang alisin pa sila ng kapangasiwaan. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit sa iglesia ay walang tiwalagan. Ang pagtitiwalag ay magmumula sa Dios gaya nang sinabi, “Nguni’t sa nagsisiliko sa kanilang mga likong lakad, ilalabas ng Panginoon na kasama ng mga manggagawa ng kasamaan.” (Awit 125:5)

Ngunit sino naman yaong mga pinili upang makatahan sa Kaniyang bahay?

Ang makapananatili sa pagtahan sa Kaniyang bahay ay yaong mga masunuring anak lamang. Ang mga lingkod na pasaway, na gumagawa ng masama ay hindi makakatahan. Tanging ang mga tunay na tumatalima sa Kaniyang kalooban ang makatahahan dito.

Gaya nang pahayag, silang may matibay na pagtitiwala sa Dios ay hindi kaylanman matitinag kundi sila ay mananatiling matatag sa pag-asa at sa kanilang mga katungkulan. Sinabi ng Biblia, “Silang nagsisitiwala sa Panginoon ay parang bundok ng Sion, na hindi maaaring makilos, kundi nananatili magpakailan man.” (Awit 125:1)

Ang tunay na nagtitiwala ay nananatiling tapat sa Kaniya. Anuman ang kanilang maranasan ay hindi sila makikilos. Nananatili sila sa pagtupad sa Kaniyang mga kautusan at inaasahan ng Dios na sila ay magbubunga ng gawang kabanalan gaya nang pahayag, “at aking kayong inihalal, upang kayo’y magsiyaon at magsipagbunga, at upang manatili ang inyong bunga… “ (Juan 15:16)

Gawin man nila ito ay makakaasa na ang magiging katumbas ng lahat ay ang pagmamana ng pangako ng Dios, ang buhay na walang hanggan, gaya nang pahayag, “Na sila’y magsigawa ng mabuti, na sila’y magsiyaman sa mabuting gawa, na sila’y maging handa sa pamimigay, maibigin sa pamamahagi; Na mangagtipon sa kanilang sarili ng isang mabuting kinasasaligan para sa panahong darating, upang sila’y makapanangan sa buhay na tunay na buhay.” (1 Timoteo 6:18-19)

Kaya nga, gaya nang pahayag ng Biblia, isang malaking kapalaran ang maging anak ng Dios at tawagin upang maglingkod sa Kaniya, gaya nang sinabi, “Mapalad ang tao na iyong pinipili, at pinalalapit mo sa iyo, upang siya’y makatahan sa iyong mga looban: kami ay mangasisiyahan sa kabutihan ng iyong bahay, ng iyong banal na templo” (Awit 65:4)

(From the sermon entitled, “Ang mga Banal sa Lupa” for May 10, 2015)

Can a person be considered holy, while he is alive? What is God’s will pertaining to the saints or holy people? What does the Bible tell us about this?

Who decides if a person is holy or saint? Men should not decide if a person is holy or not. It should always be at the discretion of God. No church leader or group of people can dictate who is going to be a saint or holy. It’s all in the hands of God, and all according to His will and desire.

The Bible tells us that a person is said to be holy or saint when God is pleased in him (Psalms 16:3). How do we please God? God is pleased when we obey His will and commands, when we fulfill the purpose of our existence. Even to the ancient Israelites, who are God’s chosen people, on whom He is pleased, they were commanded to become holy (Leviticus 19:2). They were chosen, taken away from the bondage of slavery and sent in His house (Exodus 15:13).

However, the people of ancient Israel did not remain to be faithful to God. We all know what happened to their relationship with God. Their iniquities are too many to bear and resorted to part away from God. They become wicked in the sight of God because they worship other gods and made Him jealous and angry. The book of Psalms 106:39-40 tell us about this, “They defiled themselves by what they did; by their deeds they prostituted themselves. Therefore the Lord was angry with his people and abhorred his inheritance.”

In the New Testament, John the Baptist was called holy. He was feared by Herod because he is a righteous and holy man, “… Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man.” (Mark 6:20) In the books of the Acts of the Apostle 9:13, it tells us, ““Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem.” 

These verses prove that there are holy people living on earth. Other religions make their saints and holy people when they are dead. It doesn’t need to be dead to become holy in the sight of God. The Bible clearly states that there are saints and holy people and they can be found in His church, the church of God (1 Corinthians 1:1-2). This verse tells us that Apostle Paul, and another brother, Sosthenes, as well as the other members were called into the church of God to become holy. This is the reason why the church of God is called the church of the saints (1 Corinthians 14:33).

A person who is holy in God’s sight doesn’t mean free from committing sins. However, in God’s eyes, there are sins that are not imputed to holy people, “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” (Romans 4:8) If the sin committed is not deliberately done, it is easily forgiven by God and usually not imputed to the sinner. However, sins that are deliberately done are imputed to the sinner, especially if the sin committed is a sin that leads to death. 

In summary, being holy or being a saint should not be ordained by men or even by the people of the churches. Being holy is a status only God can confirm, and that is, by absolutely following all His will and commands into a place called church, a place where He has chosen all people of the world to serve Him.

Blessed are those who were called into His church, for they are blessed to be called holy. Let us thank God for the richness of His mercy and love towards us. Let us serve Him according to His pleasure. Amen.

Filipino Translation:

Maaari bang tawagin at ituring na banal ang isang tao samantalang nabubuhay pa sa ibabaw ng lupa? Ano nga ba ang kalooban ng Dios patungkol sa pagiging banal ng isang tao? Ano ang paliwanag ng Biblia tungkol dito?

Ang pagiging banal ng isang tao ay ayon sa kapasiyahan ng Dios. Hindi ito idinidikta ng isang samahan o ng kung sinuman lamang, maging ng mga pinuno ng mga sekta o relihiyon. Sa Biblia, ang pagiging banal ay isang katangian ng mga taong kinalulugdang lubos ng Dios (Awit 16:3). Ano ang dahilan ng ikinalugod ng Dios?

Kinalulugdan ng Dios na makita ang Kaniyang mga lingkod na nagsisiganap ng Kaniyang mga kalooban. Ang pagtupad sa Kaniyang mga utos, na siyang dahilan ng pagkakalikha sa ating mga tao ang pangunahing ikinalulugod Niya. Kaya’t maging sa mga unang lingkod ng Dios, ang sinaunang bayan ng Israel, ay iniutos sa kanila ang pagpapakabanal (Levitico 19:2), bayan na kung saan ay tinubos ng Dios, pinalaya mula sa mga kamay ng mga umalipin dito, at inihatid sa loob ng Kaniyang tahanan (Exodo 15:13).

Subalit ang sinaunang Israel ay hindi nagpatuloy sa pagpapakabanal sa harap ng Dios. Talastas natin ang kanilang nilakaran, na sila ay nagpakarumi sa kanilang mga gawa, gaya nang pahayag, “Ganito sila nagpakahawa sa kanilang mga gawa, at nagsiyaong nagpakarumi sa kanilang mga gawa.” (Awit 106:39) Bawat bayan na kanilang paroonan ay nahahawa sila ng karumihan sa pamamagitan ng pagsamba sa mga hindi tunay na dios.

Sa Bagong Tipan, ipinakilala ng Biblia na si Juan Bautista ay banal, “natatakot si Herodes kay Juan palibhasa’y nalalamang siya’y lalaking matuwid at banal.” (Marcos 6:20) Gayundin ang pahayag sa aklat ng Gawa ng mga Apostol 9:13, na sinasabi, “Nguni’t sumagot si Ananias, Panginoon, nabalitaan ko sa marami ang tungkol sa taong ito, kung gaano karaming kasamaan ang ginawa niya sa iyong mga banal sa Jerusalem.”

Ang mga talatang ito ang nagpapatunay na mayroong mga banal sa lupa at hindi na kailangan pang mamatay at umakyat sa langit para ituring lamang na banal o santo. Sa Dios, ang pagiging banal ay masusumpungan sa dako na Kaniyang pinili upang doon gawin ang kabanalan, samakatuwid ay sa iglesia (1 Corinto 1:1-2). Tinawag ang Apostol na si Pablo sa iglesia upang magbanal, kasama ng lahat ng mga nagsisitawag sa pangalan ng ating Panginoong Dios. Ang iglesia ng Dios ay tinawag ding iglesia ng mga banal, “Sapagka’t ang Dios ay hindi Dios ng kaguluhan, kundi ng kapayapaan. Gaya sa lahat ng mga iglesia ng mga banal.” (1 Corinto 14:33)

Bagaman ang isang mananampalataya ay tao na kinakikitaan ng pagkakasala (sapagkat walang tao na hindi nagkakasala), itinuturing ng Dios na ito ay banal sa Kaniyang paningin. Sinumang maaanib sa iglesia ay ibinibilang ng Dios na banal, pinapaging banal o inaaaring banal. Para sa Dios, may mga kasalanang nagagawa ang tao na hindi ibinibilang sa kaniya, gaya nang sinabi, “Mapalad ang tao na sa kaniya’y hindi ibibilang ng Panginoon ang kasalanan.” (Roma 4:8)

Kung ang kasalanang nagawa ng isang mananampalataya ay hindi mabigat at hindi naman sinasadya, madali itong napapatawad ng Dios kung kaya’t hindi ito ibinibilang na kasalanan sa kaniya. Kung mabigat ang kasalanang nagawa, lalo pa nga kung kasalanang ikamamatay ay hindi ito ipinatatawad ng Dios, at ibinibilang itong kasalanan sa isang tao.

Sa kabuoan, ang pagiging banal ng isang tao ay hindi dapat itakda ng isang tao o grupo ng mga tao. Hindi din relihiyon o simbahan ang dapat magdikta nito. Ang ikababanal ng isang tao ay mula sa kalooban ng Dios, na sa pamamagitan ng iglesia ng Kaniyang itinayo upang maging dako ng pagawaan ng kabanalan ay maging daan ito upang bawat maanib dito ay maging banal sa Kaniyang paningin.

Mapalad kung gayon ang mga naanib sa iglesia, sapagkat sila ay ibinibilang ng Dios na mga banal dito sa lupa, lalo pa nga silang dapat magpakita ng kabanalan sa paningin ng Dios, na siyang dahil ng pagkakatawag sa kanila. Higit sa lahat, salamat sa Dios sa Kaniyang masaganang habag at awa sapagkat inilagay Niya tayo sa loob ng Kaniyang bahay, upang ariing banal at kalugodlugod sa Kaniya. Suklian natin ang Dios nang paglilingkod na karapatdapat sa Kaniyang kapurihan at karangalan.

(From the sermon entitled, Ang mga Magkakalakip na Kaluluwa” for May 14, 2015)

The friendship of Jonathan and David is one of the most unusual stories of friendship in the Bible.  Their souls are knitted together and in the different Bible translations, it was explained as deep friendship that surpasses the relationship of siblings. They have shown profound love for each other in many instances even if they were not related in flesh and blood (1 Samuel 18:1).

Solomon speaks of that kind of relationship, “there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”(Proverbs 18:24)

Ruth, a woman of faith (Ruth 2:11), stick to her mother in law even when her husband died. She loved her more than here parents. The love of others must not be measured in flesh and blood. God wants us to see a love that is unconditional, that we can show it to anyone, regardless of race, belief and status.

When God called us unto His church, which is the church of God, He called us to grow in faith and in a close relationship with each other. The word “koinonia” means fellowship, which describes communication, caring and helping with one another. It is God’s way of letting us fulfill the law to love one another (John 13:34).

Through fellowship we become one with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:9)

And while we hold on to unite with the spirit (Ephesians 4:3), we are able to be fitted and united also with one another as one body, which is the church, and by doing this, we grow in love and become strong in faith. “Through whom all the body, being rightly formed and united together, by the full working of every part, is increased to the building up of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:16)

How can we show that our souls are knitted together in unity?

Apostle Paul says, “Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.” (Romans 15:5-7)

In these verses, Paul desires the unity of the brethren towards serving and giving pleasure to God. This can be done through prayers, singing hymns, worship services that we continue to do with unity according to the pleasure of the almighty God. Paul also emphasizes the importance of accepting one another. We humbly accept every member of the body, which is the church of God. Regardless of our statuses, lineage and qualifications, we need to value each other as co-workers in faith.

Early Christians have done this, which they continued steadfastly in the apostles ‘doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (Acts 2:42)

Along with acceptance, we need to be careful not to judge each other’s faults and mistakes. If we can’t control ourselves, we may end up hurting the feelings of others. If we can control ourselves, we are helping in the unity of the members of the church. “So that there might be no division in the body; but all the parts might have the same care for one another. And if there is pain in one part of the body, all the parts will be feeling it; or if one part is honoured, all the parts will be glad. Now you are the body of Christ, and every one of you the separate parts of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:25-27)

The stronger members should take care of the weaker ones, but the weaker ones should learn how to be strong and be models of faith for the rest of the members. (Romans 15:1-2)

What is the important doctrine that we need to understand regarding the unity of our souls?

Each member has an important role to one another. It is our obligation to care and strengthen the faith of the weaker ones as we continue on serving the Lord. One of the most important things that we should learn is how we can open ourselves to others, not only to the members of the church, but as well as to other people around us.

The story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) tells us about acceptance, having a good character, being merciful and being helpful to others especially those who are in great need. In this parable, Jesus tells us that a true servant of God is not measured on what we know about the Holy Scriptures, on what lineage we belong, or what important role we have in life. We are measured on what we can do for others out of love.

The Levite and the Priest, which is both servants of the Temple, who knows the Laws and the Scriptures did not even stopped and help the person in need. They live at a time where they are bounded by a law, the law of cleanliness. Probably, this might be the reason why they did not reach out and help the wounded person. They are scared they might violate the law and prohibit them from performing their duties in the Temple. (Numbers 19:11, 19-20, 22; Leviticus 11:24-25)

The Samaritan, who doesn’t care about this law, opened his heart to the wounded person, attend to his wounds and brought him to a safer place. He put his time, energy and money to help out the needy. He showed his “mercy” and compassion towards someone whom he really doesn’t know. “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him” (Luke 10:33).

The parable teaches us that a true believer and more pleasing to God is the one who has a good heart and not only those who possess the law but do not extend themselves towards another. In the three characters, the Samaritan showed he has “God and compassion his heart.” (Luke 10:36-37)

We cannot claim to be a true servant of God, like what the Levite and the Priest did, and like what others Christians do, if we cannot show love and compassion to others. Likewise, we cannot claim to be real Christians if we easily judge others and acting as if we do not have faults. This is called self-righteousness and Apostle Paul rebukes it. “But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” (Romans 14:10)

Anyone who behaves like this is not a real servant of God. It is a form of hypocrisy and an abomination to God. “They profess that they know God, but by their works they deny him, being abominable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.” (Titus 1:16) A true Christian follows the ways of Christ, who had shown us compassion and love for one another. If a self-professing Christian judges and doesn’t have mercy and compassion to others, then he is not what he claims to be. We can say that those who are cruel to others worship a cruel god.

The Samaritan’s gesture is truly admirable and an example to follow. He is not clean as others may claim to be; yet he was able to touch the unclean. God expects us to do great and good deeds to others, to show love and compassion, because we have first received His love and compassion. Those who have received great forgiveness will show more love (Luke 7:42-43).

God’s kingdom can be seen through our actions, through helping others, no matter what we believe in and no matter what our status in life is. “Being of good behaviour among the Gentiles; so that though they say now that you are evil- doers, they may see your good works and give glory to God when he comes to be their judge.” (1 Peter 2:12)

Along with helping others, we should try to be humble in all ways, especially in the eyes of others. (Proverbs 6:3) They profess to know God but with their deeds they deny him, since they are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed. (Titus 1:16)

Filipino Translations:

Isa sa makulay na kuwento ng pagkakaibigan ang kasaysayan nina David at Jonathan. Sa pahayag ng Biblia, ang kanilang kaluluwa ay nalakip sa isa’t isa. Sa iba’t ibang salin, niliwanag ito na naging malalim ang kanilang pagkakaibigan, isang relasyon na nahigitan pa ang pagtingin ng magkapatid. Ipinakita nila ang malalim na ugnayan sa pamamagitan ng maraming pagkakataon bagaman sila ay hindi magkaugnay sa laman at sa dugo. (1 Samuel 18:1)

Natutupad sa kanila ang pahayag ni Solomon, na “mayroong kaibigan na mahigit sa isang kapatid” (Kawikaan 18:24). Ang babaeng si Ruth (Ruth 2:11), nang mamatay ang kaniyang asawa, ay hindi iniwan ang kaniyang biyenan. Minahal niya ito nang higit pa sa kaniyang tunay na mga magulang.

Ang pagibig natin sa ating kapuwa ay hindi dapat sukatin sa pamamagitan ng dugo at laman. Hangad ng Dios na makita tayong nagiibigan, anuman ang ating kalagayan, anuman ang ating lahing pinagmulan at anuman ang ating pananampalataya.

Tinawag ng Dios ang bawat kapatid sa loob ng Kaniyang iglesia upang palaguin tayo sa isang magkakalakip at maunlad na pagtitinginan bilang magkakapatid sa pananampalataya. Ang salitang “koinonia” na ang ibig sabihin ay fellowship ay naglalarawan ng komunikasyon, pagtutulungan at pagmamalasakitan. Ang fellowship ay paraan ng Dios upang matupad natin ang Kaniyang kautusan na tayo’y magibigan sa isa’t isa gaya naman ng pagibig Niya sa atin. “Isang bagong utos ang sa inyo’y ibinibigay ko, na kayo’y mangagibigan sa isa’t isa: na kung paanong iniibig ko kayo, ay mangagibigan naman kayo sa isa’t isa.” (Juan 13:34) 

Sa ganitong layunin ay magkaroon tayo ng pakikipagkaisa o pakikisama sa Kaniya sa pamamagitan ng ating Panginoong Hesus, gaya nang pahayag, “Ang Dios ay tapat, na sa pamamagitan niya ay tinawag kayo sa pakikisama ng kaniyang anak na si Jesucristo na Panginoon natin.” (1 Corinto 1:9)

At samantalang iniingatan natin ang pakikipagkaisa sa Espiritu (Efeso 4:3), nagagawa nating ang bawat isa ay lumapat na mabuti sa iba pang sangkap ng Kaniyang katawan, na siyang iglesia ng Dios, at sa pamamagitan nito, ay lubos na makagawa ang lahat at tumibay ang sarili sa pagibig. “Na dahil sa kaniya’y ang buong katawan na nakalapat na mabuti at nagkakalakip sa pamamagitan ng tulong ng bawa’t kasukasuan, ayon sa paggawang nauukol sa bawa’t iba’t ibang sangkap, ay nagpapalaki sa katawan sa ikatitibay ng kaniyang sarili sa pagibig.” (Efeso 4:16) 

Sa paanong paraan natin maaaring ipakita ang pakikilakip ng kaluluwa sa isa’t isa?

Sinabi ni Apostol Pablo, “Loobin nawa ng Dios ng pagtitiis at paggiliw, na kayo ay magkaisa ng pagiisip sa isa’t isa ayon kay Cristo Jesus: Upang kayo na may isang pagiisip sa pamamagitan ng isang bibig ay luwalhatiin ninyo ang Dios at Ama ng ating Panginoong Jesucristo. Sa ganito’y mangagtanggapan kayo, gaya naman ni Cristo na tinanggap kayo sa kaluwalhatian ng Dios.” (Roma 15:5-7)

Sa pahayag na ito, hangad ni Apostol Pablo ang pagkakaisa natin sa pagiisip, lalong lalo na sa pagbibigay ng kapurihan at karangalan sa Dios sa pamamagitan ng paglilingkod. Ilan sa mga halimbawa nito ay ang sama-samang panalangin, pag-aawitan at pagsamba na buong pagkakaisa nating isinasagawa alang-alang sa kapurihan ng Dios. Bukod dito, hangad din niya ang pagtanggap natin sa isa’t isa. Anuman ang ating kalagayan o saan man tayo nagmulang lahi, kailangang tanggapin natin ang isa’t isa bilang kaisa sa ating Panginoong Dios upang matiwasay natin Siyang mapaglingkuran.

Ang mga sinaunang Kristiyano ay ginawa ito, na sila’y nagsipanatiling matibay sa turo ng mga apostol at sa pagsasamasama, sa pagpuputolputol ng tinapay at sa mga panalangin (Gawa 2:42).

Kalakip ng pagtanggap, ay ang pagunawa sa kapatid o sa kapuwa upang magkaroon naman tayo ng pagiingatan sa isa’t isa at hindi magkaroon ng kadahilanan upang ang kapatid ay humina o matisod sa kanilang pananampalataya. Sa ganito’y huwag magkaroon ng dibisyon o pagkakabahabahagi. Iisang katawan tayo, at bawat isa’y sangkap. Kailangang mayroong pagkakaisa at pagiingat tayo sa isa’t isa. “Upang huwag magkaroon ng pagkakabahabahagi sa katawan; kundi ang mga sangkap ay mangagkaroon ng magkasing-isang pagiingat sa isa’t isa. At kung ang isang sangkap ay nagdaramdam, ang lahat ng mga sangkap ay nangagdaramdam na kasama niya; o kung ang isang sangkap ay nagkakapuri, ang lahat ng mga sangkap ay nangagagalak na kasama niya. Kayo nga ang katawan ni Cristo, at bawa’t isa’y samasamang mga sangkap niya.” (1 Corinto 12:25-27)

Kaya naman, ang malalakas ay magbabata ng kahinaan ng mga mahihina. At ang mga mahihina ay mag-aaral na maging malakas upang maging huwaran sa ibang kapatid. (Roma 15:1-2)

Ano ang matibay na aral na dapat nating matutunan sa pagkakalakip ng kaluluwa sa isa’t isa?

Ang bawat kapatid ay may tungkulin sa ibang kapatid. Tungkulin nating patibayin at ingatan ang bawat isa upang sama-samang makapagpatuloy. Ang pinaimportanteng bagay na dapat nating matutunan ay ang pagbubukas ng ating kalooban sa iba, sa kapatid man o hindi, kapananampalataya man o hindi, dapat lamang na buksan natin ang ating puso sa pagtulong.

Ang kasaysayan ng mabuting samaritano ay nagtuturo ng pagtanggap sa kapuwa, kabutihang loob at pagiging mabuting lingkod ng Dios. (Basahin ang Luc. 10:30-37) Sa kasaysayang ito, itinuturo ng Panginoong Hesus na ang pagiging tunay na lingkod ay hindi nakikita sa kung ano ang lahing pinagmulan, o kung anong tungkuling taglay. Magugunitang ang mga saserdote at mga Levita ay mga lahing ang pangunahing tungkulin ay maglingkod sa Templo. At nasa panahong sila ay mayroong batas ng kalinisan at karumihan na sinusunod lalo na sa pagpasok sa Templo upang maglingkod sa Dios.

Maaring ito ang naging dahilan nang hindi nila pagtulong sa nangangailagang kapuwa, sapagkat sila ay magiging madumi kung sila ay hihipo ng bagay na madumi at sila ay mahihiwalay ng ilang araw kung magkakagayon (Bilang 19:11, 19-20,22; Levitico 11:24-25)

Subalit ang Samaritano, palibhasa’y hindi nasasakop ng kautusang ito ay nagawang tumulong sa nangangailangang kapuwa tao. Hindi niya alintana ang “kautusan”, manapa ay ipinakita niya ang kaniyang “habag” sa kapuwang nangangailangan ng tulong. “Datapuwa’t ang isang Samaritano, sa kaniyang paglalakbay, ay dumating sa kinaroroonan niya: at nang siya’y makita niya, ay nagdalang habag.” (Lukas 10:33)

Sa talinhagang ito ay ipinakikilala na ang tunay na mayroong mabuting puso at kalooban ay hindi yaong nagtataglay ng kautusan, kundi ang mayroong puwang sa kanilang puso ang maging mahabagin sa kapuwa. Sa tatlong tauhan, ang mabuting Samaritano ang ipinakilalang mayroong “mabuting Dios.” (Lukas 10:36-37)

Hindi natin maaaring ariing tayo ay mga lingkod ng Dios, gaya ng mga Levita at Saserdote, at tayo naman ay mga Kristiyano, kung walang puwang sa ating puso ang maging mahabagin sa kapuwa, sa kapatid, sa pamilya at sa mga mahal natin sa buhay.

Mayroong nagsasabing sila ay lingkod ng Dios ngunit kaydaling humahatol sa gawa ng kanilang kapuwa, na para bagang sila ay walang anumang kapintasan sa harap ng Dios. Ang ganito ay nagaaring Kristiyano lamang sa kanilang sarili at ito ay sinansala ni Apostol Pablo, “Datapuwa’t ikaw, bakit humahatol ka sa iyong kapatid? at ikaw naman, bakit pinawalaang halaga mo ang iyong kapatid? sapagka’t tayong lahat ay tatayo sa harapan ng hukuman ng Dios.” (Roma 14:10)

Hindi tunay na lingkod ang may ganitong paguugali. Ito ay pagpapanggap lamang at malaking kapaimbabawan sa harap ng Dios. “Sila’y nangagpapanggap na nakikilala nila ang Dios; nguni’t ikinakaila sa pamamagitan ng kanilang mga gawa, palibhasa’y mga malulupit, at mga masuwayin, at mga itinakuwil sa bawa’t gawang mabuti.” (Tito 1:16)

Ang tunay na mga Kristiyano ay mahabagin, sapagkat ang Dios nila ay mahabagin. Ang mga malulupit sa kapuwa at mapanghusga ay sumasamba sa “malupit na Dios.”

Kung mayroon man tayong dapat na tularan sa araling ito ay ang ginawa ng mabuting Samaritano sa kaniyang kapuwa. Ang Samaritano ay marumi, subalit nagawa niyang humipo sa marumi. Inaasahan ng Dios na tayo ay makagagawa ng ibayong kabutihan at pagibig sa kapuwa, yamang tayo ay nakadama ng ibayong pagibig at pagpapatawad mula sa Dios. (Lukas 7:42-43)

Ipakilala natin ang kaharian ng Dios, ang kabutihan ng Dios sa pamamagitan ng pagtulong natin sa kapuwa, anuman ang relihiyon, pananampalataya, paniniwala, lahi at kalagayan sa buhay. “Na kayo’y mangagkaroon ng timtimang ugali sa gitna ng mga Gentil; upang, sa mga bagay na ipinagsasalita nila laban sa inyong tulad sa nagsisigawa ng masama, dahil sa inyong mabubuting gawa na kanilang nakikita, ay purihin nila ang Dios sa araw ng pagdalaw.” (1 Pedro 2:12)

Sa ganito’y manatili tayong mababa sa paningin ng iba lalong lalo na sa mga kapananampalataya. (Kawikaan 6:3) Tigilan natin ang pagiging mapanghusga sa kapuwa, sa halip ay maging mababa ang kalooban natin, at huwag tularan ang ibang nagsasabing sila ay Kristiyano na mataas at banal ang tingin sa kanilang sarili subali’t ikinakaila sa pamamagitan ng kanilang paghatol at kawalan ng pagtulong o habag sa kapuwa. (Tito 1:16)

(From the sermon entitled, Ang Kapalarang Lubos na Dapat Ikagalak at Pakaingatan sa Buhay na Ito”, for May 28, 2015)

Those who are grateful in life can feel happiness and contentment. Although many times we suffer from trials and tests, God had shown that He never abandon nor forsake us. He continually helps and guides us, so we can overcome life’s sufferings.

Studying and analyzing life helps us realize that whatever life we have today are a product or a summation of what effort we put in it and the mercy and love of God. God allows us to have victory and abundance in life. He also allows us to feel insignificant amount of pain. Sadly, when people are abundant, they forget to be grateful, and when they are suffering because of poverty, they usually blame God for it.

The Bible tells us that we should not always put our hopes to whatever fate we have now. Let’s say we are blessed enough to have an abundant life materially, we should not rely on it. Psalms 62:10 says, “though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.” People set their hearts on what they have here on earth. They would die for sure if this wealth would be gone. They don’t know that they cannot bring all their material possessions when they die. The Bible clearly says, “…his wealth will not follow him down into the grave.” (Psalms 49:17)

Life has many uncertainties. The only certainty is death. Life will end no matter how we use it. Life will conclude no matter how bad or beautiful it is. Verses of the Bible tell us of this, “Though the pride of the godless person reaches to the heavens and his head touches the clouds, he will perish forever, like his own dung; those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he? ’ Like a dream he flies away, no more to be found, banished like a vision of the night.” (Job 20:6-8)

The rich man in Luke 12:16-20 tells us about someone who put his hope in his wealth more than what should be accorded to God. This man only thought of how he can increase his wealth and have an abundant life in his present time and in the future. He forgot that life has an ending. So, when God told him that his life will be taken away from him that night, he was asked where will all his wealth go? (Luke 12:19-20)

Life is not all about abundance. What we should aspire is to become part of God’s mercy, to be called, to be His child and dwell in His house (Psalms 27:41), to see His beauty and goodness in the church of God (1 Timothy 3:15).

More than living an abundant life as many dreamed of, dwelling in God’s house, is a providence that only a few have received. Jesus tells us, “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul.” (Matthew 16:26)

Material prosperity, like life, is only temporary. It is only borrowed and God allows us to use them so we can be of His purpose. What we should yearn is to have an eternal life, and it could be fulfilled if we dwell in the house of God and remain faithful and firm.

God is worthy to be praised! He has called us and placed us under His protection inside His house. Let us offer our praises and thanksgiving as a pleasing sacrifice; and let us be peaceful for whatever purpose He has given us (Colossians 3:15). Life will end, as well as wealth, but if we gain righteousness before God, it would surely lead us to salvation.

Worry not and do not lose hope. Never be afraid, because God will never abandon us. More than these, and anything in this world, we are very important to God because we are His children. He is very pleased to give us what He had promised, His kingdom in heaven, and living an eternal life with Him. Jesus tells us, ““Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” (Matthew 25:34)

(From the sermon entitled, “Ang Mayayaman na Makakapasok at ‘Di Makakapasok sa Kaharian ng Dios” for May 21 and 24, 2015) Yes, rich people can enter the kingdom of Heaven. Unlike what most people think, rich people have a chance for eternal life.

The most important thing for someone who believes in God is to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. It is the ultimate goal for every believer.

The Bible tells us that the house of God (1 Timothy 3:15), which is the church of God and composed of members with common doctrinal beliefs is a house built upon Spirit (1 Peter 2:5). It is not an edifice or a structure, but a spiritual house, a kingdom of God here on earth. Members of this congregation became part of the elect or the chosen people of God for His kingdom (Luke 22:22), a city that bears fruit of righteousness (Matthew 21:23) and was purchased by His own blood (Acts 20:28). No wonder why Jesus tells everyone to enter the narrow gate, because it is a road leading to His kingdom in heaven (Matthew 7:13-14)

God’s house, according to the Bible is the door to heaven (Genesis 28:17). If it is the door to heaven, then people should persist to enter because it is a step closer towards God, in His kingdom.

God’s kingdom in heaven meanwhile, is prepared into all worthy faithful. No abominations will enter God’s kingdom (Revelations 21:27). Only those who have triumphed and who have purified themselves will be worthy of spending eternity with God.

How does the Bible explain those who are unworthy of His kingdom in heaven? The Bible tells us that those who are unrighteous will definitely fail to enter God’s kingdom. Apostle Paul writes, “No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater —has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” (Ephesians 5:5) This is the reason why many of the apostles advised members of the church to be clean in all manners of life (1 Peter 1:15), and most of all, live according to the faith that we have received from Him (Hebrews 10:38).

Additionally, those who lack trust in God will not be given a chance to dwell in heaven. People who trust with their material wealth instead of trusting God should not ask for salvation. Desiring wealth in this life is not bad at all. However, if the desire of men is more than the desire to serve God, then wealth can be a hindrance in receiving eternal life with God.

Jesus tells us, “we cannot serve two masters at the same time.” (Matthew 6:24) Material wealth is needed to live a decent life. However, we should not put all our trust and hope for it. Material wealth is only temporary. It can be lost, it can be taken away from us and we cannot even bring it when we die. If we talk about faith, we cannot count on wealth alone to become worthy of God’s kingdom.

Apostle Paul writes, “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” (1 Timothy 6:17) However, there are rich people that can definitely enter the kingdom of heaven. They maybe not rich in material wealth, but they are very rich in faith and abundant in many ways, especially in spiritual matters.

Members of the church during the time of the Apostles were called not because they are rich or they are successful in life, they were called because they are poor so that they can be rich in faith. We can read, “Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” (James 2:5) They are very rich when it comes to trusting God’s powers, rich in good deeds, especially to other faithful, always prepared to do holy works. In other words, they are rich when it comes to giving glory and praises to God, and this is what Apostle Paul writes, “To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.” (Romans 2:7)

They glorify God through their holy works, such as helping those who are in need (Isaiah 1:17), contributing to the church’s missionary works (1 Timothy 5:10), walking according to truth, and most of all by following the will and commands of God. God wants us to train to be godly.

Although physical training has a value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come (1 Timothy 4:7-8). Let us all save up for the wealth that cannot be taken away from us, wealth that can bring us to the promised eternal life, in heaven, with God.

(From the sermon entitled, “Ang Mahal na Tao sa Buhay na ito at Mahal na Tao sa Buhay na Darating” for May 31, 2015)

How can a person be considered as a noble one? Is life’s status a basis for being called a noble person? Is it something that we can acquire at birth? How did the Bible clarify this?

The dictionary tells us that the word noble, especially in former times, is a person of noble rank or birth, belonging to a hereditary class with high social or political status; aristocrat. Therefore, a person is considered as a noble one if he was born from noble descent. A person is also called noble if he has outstanding traits.

The Bible calls princes as noble people (Job 29:9-11). Judges are also called noble people (Proverbs 8:16), as well as those who have high authority and rule over a large number of people (Matthew 20:25). Jesus tells us about these people in authority as those who would always want to be recognized or acknowledged by others. They wanted to be respected by all people in their community. They would always want to be positioned in the higher seats of the synagogue and/or in the dining tables (Mark 12:39). Jesus warned all the people about these people, particularly the Scribes and the Pharisees. They wore long robes and loved to be respected by others (Luke 20:46).

Let us notice that while these people are considered to be noble by others, holding high positions in their communities, they were not called by God to be members of His church. What God has called are people who are simple, poor, not influential and not with noble birth (1 Corinthians 1:26). People, who were considered to be noble at that time like the Scribes and the Pharisees are only noble in the outside, but full of wickedness in the inside (Luke 11:37-41).

God selected them because He wants to send a strong message to these so-called noble people. The Bible tells us, “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” (1 Corinthians 1:27) These weak and foolish people were considered to be noble by God because He had paid them with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20).

How valuable are these people to God? The Bible tells us that it is the blood of God that was used to purchase all of the members of His church (Acts 20:28). Anyone who belongs to this church will be included in the purchase. Anyone who belongs to this church will be called noble people of God because they are His children. John 1:12-13 tell us about this, “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”

And this is not according to the likes of anyone, but according to the mercy of God. Apostle Paul writes on this, “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.” (2 Timothy 1:9)

Another purpose of God when He called the poor and foolish ones is that no one can boast before Him (1 Corinthians 1:29). However, are all called be considered as noble people? The Bible’s answer is NO! There are those who were called and did not remain in Him. Some of them walked away from their spiritual duties. Some of them did not remain obedient to His will and commands (2 Thessalonians 3:11)

Those who were bought by God through the blood of Jesus are the true noble people because they believe in God, and obey His will completely. They do not let themselves to be defiled, like what the Bible says, “These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb.” (Revelations 14:2-5)

To God, they are His children, His noble people, and heirs to His kingdom in heaven. God called us because we are poor and were not noble in the sight of many men, but we have the greatest chance to prove that we are rich in faith and in serving God. Apostle James writes on this, “Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” (James 2:5)

(From the sermon entitled “Ang Minagaling na Ipinasiya ng Dios ayon sa Biblia” for dates June 4 and 7, 2015)

The ways of God are very far from our thoughts and habits. Sometimes, we really cannot understand His ways. But in many instances, God reveals His ways to His people so we can understand His will better.

God had revealed His will through the Holy Scriptures. He had made us known whatever pleases Him through His words, which were written. He wants us to understand them better and thus, He commanded us to seek the truth, read the Scriptures and find out the purpose of all His actions.

Let us take a look at Ephesians 1:9; Apostle Paul writes, “…Making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him.” God’s will is mysterious to many people. This is because people don’t have time to seek His will. How can they know the truth if they don’t even bother to seek them? How can they know His will if they are not interested to know them?

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul tells us about God’s decisions to do something for Himself. Although a mystery to many people, but for God, it was a plain and simple revelation of Himself, something that pleases Him.

What is this that pleases Him that He wants to do? What Apostle Paul has written is the mystery of the manifestation or the revelation of God in the flesh through Christ. The Bible tells us, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” (1 Timothy 3:16) 

Was this mystery come into fruition? Yes it did! God manifest Himself in the flesh through Christ. Isaiah writes, “… the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14) Isaiah repeated this in Isaiah 9:6, citing the traits of the son given unto us, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Noticeably, the traits of the son are all traits of the almighty God. He is a Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. The son, although will be born unto a virgin actually has no origin. Prophet Micah mentioned this in chapter 5, verse 2 that the one coming from Bethlehem is from the old, from everlasting, meaning eternal.

If the son is from everlasting, does He have the same trait with God? David writes in Psalms 90:2, “Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever you had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God.” God’s origin is clear here. They have the same origin mentioned in Micah 5:2, they both came from everlasting, from eternal.

Therefore they are the same, because they are one. God manifests Himself through Christ, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word became flesh, and lived among us.” (John 1:1, 14)

Why did God decide to manifest Himself in the flesh? Jesus tells us the reason why He was born, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” (John 18:37)

Apostle Paul tells us, God is pleased that everyone knows the truth and be saved (1 Timothy 2:3-4). Not only that He will testify to the truth, but also He came to reveal us about the truth. And what is the truth? That the reason He came here is to save all sinners. Apostle Paul writes, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”(1 Timothy 1:15). However, Christ can only save sinners who have repented. Those who did not atone for their sins will not be saved (Luke 15:7,10).

In the days of the Apostles, those who repented were baptized, and those who were baptized were added to the church, which is the Church of God. We can read in Acts 2:38, 47, “Praising God, and having favour with all the people, and the Lord added to the church (Greek word-“Ekklesia”) daily such as should be saved.”

So, those who have accepted Christ, who repented from their sins, and were baptized, were given a chance to become part of Christ’s truth. Indeed, to become part of His purpose, pleasing to Him, is an ultimate blessing from God.

The question here is why did God add to the church those who will be saved? Why did He choose the church as a dwelling place for all His people?

The answers to these questions are clear. First of all, we need to understand that the church built by Christ is not an ordinary congregation. God purchased the church with His holy blood, and that makes it very valuable to Him (Acts 20:28). The Bible also tells us that without the shedding of blood, there will be no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22). Christ’s blood was shed so that everyone who believes in Him will receive forgiveness and eventually, be saved. So, everyone who was blessed and added to Christ’s church would become part of salvation. Christ will save His own body, and we all know that the church is Christ’s body (Ephesians 5:23).

Again, let us just repeat the purpose why Christ was born, and that is to testify to the truth. God wants to testify for His words. For His words are the truth (John 17:17), and powerful (Luke 1:37). God wants everyone to believe in His truth (words), and if all do so, will lead to salvation. So when Christ speaks about the truth about Him and the Father, He tells us, “If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” (John 14:7) Christ did not only introduce the Father, but He has let them see the Father, who is dwelling in Him.

So when Philip asks Him about the Father, Jesus tells us, “Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:8-14)

Christ has revealed here that He and the Father are one; that the Father dwells in Him. Anyone, who does not believe that He is not the Father will die from their sins, and this was written in John 8:24, 27, “I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins. They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father.”  

What else did Christ tells us about God’s truth? Christ revealed to us that the only way we can come to the Father is through Him. He told us, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Christ had taught us about a new way of life, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body (church), (Hebrews 10:20). He wants us to have fellowship with the members of the church, which is His body. Everyone who was called into the church is an important element of the body, all are important, all are loved.

Not only that Christ wants us to know the truth that is in Him. He also expects everyone to live according to the truth. Christ tells us, “And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.” (John 17:19) God wants us to live a holy life in His house (Psalms 93:5) and He wants us to be holy in all manners and aspects of life (1 Peter 1:15-16).

What do we need to know about Christ in the flesh?

To be continued on the next part…

(From the sermon entitled “Ang Minagaling na Ipinasiya ng Dios ayon sa Biblia” for dates June 11 and 14, 2015)

God wants us to know the truth and live by it.

What do we need to know about the truth on Christ being in the flesh?

What many people do not understand in Christ being in the flesh is His plan of giving the ancient Israel a chance for salvation. God has kept His promise to His people. However, the ancient Israel did not honor their covenant with God. Christ tells us, ““Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate.” (Matthew 23:37-38)

What did Christ mean when He said “the house is left to you desolate?” The term desolate can mean abandoning, forsaken and deserted. Did Christ want to tell us that the ancient Israel is now abandoned? What about His promise to these people?

We have learned that God curses those who do not bear fruit. Christ tells us about this in Matthew 21:19-20, Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered. When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.

The lesson of this story is not about how Christ makes the tree withered so quickly. It is about why did Christ curse it. Christ is telling us here that the ancient Israel who has broken their vows and covenant with God will be desolated. Did God really take it away from them? Jesus has the answer, “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit…” (Matthew 21:43)

Why did God take it away from them? God took the kingdom away from them because they failed to see the coming of God to them. In Luke 19:41-44, we can read, “As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”

Christ came but they failed to accept Him. John 1:11 tells us, “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.” Instead of accepting Christ, they ignored Him and murdered Him. In the books of Acts of the Apostles 3:14-17, we can read, “You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see. “Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders.”  

Most of all, they did not believe that the Father and Christ are one. So, when Christ attempted to tell them that He and the Father are one, they tried to stone Him for what He said (John 10:30-33).

What truth do we need to understand concerning the latter days?

There are events that are assured to happen in the concluding days as written in the Scriptures. These prophecies have long been written down and just waiting to happen. Zephaniah 3:8, tells us about the wrath of God for all nations and kingdoms who did not listen and abide in His will and commands. The verse tells us, “Therefore wait for me,” declares the Lord, “for the day I will stand up to testify. I have decided to assemble the nations, to gather the kingdoms and to pour out my wrath on them— all my fierce anger. The whole world will be consumed by the fire of my jealous anger.”

Many may not believe that God would consume these nations because of His anger. They believe that God is love and mercy. They forgot that God is also a God of justice. He will execute His judgment and He will carry it out justly.

The concluding days will reveal signs of His coming, and after that, the end of this world.

When will these things happen?

The Bible did not tell us the certainty of dates, but tells us the certainty of its fulfillment. Zephaniah 1:14-18 tell us, “The great day of the Lord is near — near and coming quickly. The cry on the day of the Lord is bitter; the Mighty Warrior shouts his battle cry.” Therefore, it is very near to us now, because this was written thousands of years ago.

What do we expect on that day? Zephaniah continues, “ That day will be a day of wrath— a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness — a day of trumpet and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the corner towers. “I will bring such distress on all people that they will grope about like those who are blind, because they have sinned against the Lord. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their entrails like dung. Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the Lord ’s wrath.”

Indeed, that day is a day we never imagined to happen. But it is now waiting to happen. Isaiah 13:9-13 tells us about it too, “See, the day of the Lord is coming —a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger — to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it. The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light. The rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light. I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless. I will make people scarcer than pure gold, more rare than the gold of Ophir. Therefore I will make the heavens tremble; and the earth will shake from its place at the wrath of the Lord Almighty, in the day of his burning anger.”  

These destructions are inevitable. They were already written and God had already decided to make them happen.

Although these events that would take place in the future are very frightening, servants of God need not be afraid. God will never forsake His people. Jesus promises, “For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.” (Matthew 24:21-22)

While we have the time, while God is giving us chances and opportunities to serve Him and follow whatever pleases Him, we should not take every chance to be wasted.

Now is the time to seek Him, and look for Him. And to avoid God’s anger and wrath, we should listen to what the Scriptures are telling us, “before the decree takes effect and that day passes like windblown chaff, before the Lord ’s fierce anger comes upon you, before the day of the Lord ’s wrath comes upon you. Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord ’s anger.” (Zephaniah 2:2-3)

Now is the time to serve Him, to do good deeds unto others, to love, to forgive and serve one another. Remember the saying, the righteous will remain firm and won’t be moved by anything. If we trust God in all our ways, then these truths that were revealed unto us will not only be heard and read, but these will guide us and lead us unto eternal life. Let us all live according to these truths.

(From the sermon entitled “Ang Pagiging Makasarili ayon sa Biblia” for June 18 and 21, 2015)

The words of God are so powerful that even the attributes of people in the end days are told and described. When Apostle Paul wrote to his companion Timothy, he tells, “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves…” (2 Timothy 3:1-2) 

The song The Greatest Love of All, popularized by Whitney Houston tells us Learning to love yourself, It is the greatest love of all… People believe that the greatest love of all is learning to love one’s self. There is nothing wrong with loving one’s self. In fact, we all need to learn how to love ourselves before we can love others. Love must come from the inside, and then it has to be manifested towards others.

So, there is nothing wrong with the lyrics of that song. However, loving one’s self is not the greatest love of all. The Bible tells us that the greatest love of all is to lay one’s life to another. The greatest love is selfless, not towards one’s self, but towards others. Loving one’s self is correct, however, people have shown it wrongly. It turned out that the love they have given to themselves is selfishness.

When is love towards one’s self becomes selfishness?

When love is exhibited towards one’s self and becomes egocentric or directed only to self rather than to others, it is called empty conceit. When it results not to happiness and affection, but disorder and evil practices, it becomes vanity. Therefore, it is not love at all but greediness and egocentricity. (James 3:16)

When a person only sees himself and only care about his personal desires, and do not give interest to the needs of others, then that is egocentrism. This attribute is very evident nowadays. Unfortunately, this is true. The majority of people has forgotten about caring about others. Selfishness have driven many to compare themselves to others. They have forgotten the commandment of Christ about loving others. The only love they knew is directed towards them.

Selfishness can lead to destruction. The ancient Israel, who were only thinking about self-survival have put God to the test by demanding the food they craved. They have spoken against God (Psalms 78:18).

The rich bachelor in the New Testament was not able to follow Christ’s invitation because of fear of losing his wealthy life (Matthew 19:21-22). Who would want to sacrifice his wealth for the sake of Christ nowadays?

Selfishness can end friendship according to the Bible (Proverbs 18:1). What a selfish person would want is only to satisfy his needs and desires. He really never intends to satisfy the needs of others, be it his friends or love ones.

This trait is not of God, but of the devil. This is a worldly attribute and can be seen for the majority of mankind. Apostle James tells us, “But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.” (James 3:14-15)

And prayers of such people are never heard, “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” (James 4:3) So, where do their wealth come from if not from God? Well, the world has the power to give pleasure and abundance. And this world has been given to the hands of the wicked. That explains how their wealth is amassed.

Christians are not supposed to possess this earthly attribute. We are supposed to be different in thoughts, actions and in our words. Apostle Paul tells us to think like Christ, “then make my joy complete by being like- minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind” (Philippians 2:2) Paul tells us to be united in thoughts, thinking like Christ, being like Christ and behaving like Christ.

Paul also encourages us to think with all humility, according to the faith given by God, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” (Philippians 12:2-3)

If we learn to feel what other people feel, then that’s a step closer towards loving others. In Christ, we are all brothers and sisters. We are commanded to respect, care and love one another. This is what we have learned from the doctrines given to us. All we have to do is to keep it and obey it with all our hearts.

Who have shown the greatest example of selfless love that we should imitate?

Jesus Christ is the perfect example of selfless and unconditional love. By showing His unselfish love towards mankind, He made Himself a man and lived like a man. Apostle Paul tells us of this, “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:5-8) 

He came here to serve and not to be served (Mark 10:45). He has shown a great example on how we should serve one another. He has told us that He was doing the will of the Father; telling and teaching us that it is always the will of the Father that should be followed. By following Christ’s example, selflessness is not only exhibited to other people, but its greatest paradigm is directing it towards God. The commandment tells us, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39)

The story of the Good Samaritan is another paradigm of selflessness. Samaritans are not really respected people during those times. They were a very low class of people. They are a mixture of races, and most of them are partly Gentile and partly Jews. But why did Christ choose them to be the main character in that story? Simply, Christ was trying to tell them something. He wants them to understand that it is not the race, the color of the skin, the status in life that is important in obeying the will of God.

Those who have less in life should manifest more love, more selflessness, because they have nothing in life. They have nothing to be selfish about. Christ tells us, blessed are the poor, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven… (Matthew 5:3) The lowly ones, like the Samaritans, who may not be poor in the story, but a businessman, have shown that even at their status in life (they were treated as low in their society), they can be selfless and can show love to anyone. Unlike the Scribes and the Pharisees, who can only love those who love them and those whom they have chosen to love.

The story tells us not to choose whom we can love. Anyone is our neighbor, even our enemies. And we are commanded to love our neighbor. We are commanded to love one another. But be careful, it is ‘not love another one.’ If we show partiality to loving others, then we are committing a sin against God (James 2:8-9).

The command of God is to love others as we love ourselves. We show love to ourselves in many ways. We don’t try to hurt ourselves, to make it feel uncomfortable, and as much as possible; we always want ourselves to be happy. This is what God wants us to give, that is, the way we treat and love ourselves should be given and directed towards others. Simply put, live according to the love and faith given to us. (Galatians 2:20)

If we can do this, then we are showing that we are indeed true followers of Christ and truly children of the Most High (John 13:35). Apostle Paul tells us to learn how to put others first before ourselves (Romans 12:10); this is how a true brother or sister in Christ should behave. Apostle Paul has given us this example, “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me —the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:24) 

Let us all contemplate about this. Selfishness is not a trait we should possess. We should be selfless and humble because it is a trait that Christ wants us to have. Remember this, “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.” (Proverbs 19:17)

(From the sermon entitled, “Ang Mabuting Pakikisama sa Lahat ng mga Kapatid” for June 25)

The word “koinonia” means fellowship, which describes communication, caring and helping with one another. Fellowship is a beautiful word. It means companionship, which a person cannot do without another person. It means communion, being united, intimate and close with another. It also means friendship, having a good relationship, camaraderie to another person, having solidarity and mutuality.

In other words, it is God’s way of letting us fulfill the law to love one another (John 13:34). It is important that each member of the church knows the importance of fellowshipping with one another because it is one of God’s reasons why we are called into His church. Apostle Paul mentions this; “God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:9)

Having fellowship with others would mean that we need to live with and be involved with others as Apostle Paul did in Acts 20:18. He was with the brethren of the church the whole time he was there, in person, talking with them, laughing with them, and communicating with them. And he felt happy being with them (Romans 15:24). He saw the love and concern of all the members of the church, citing their amazing contributions despite their poverty (2 Corinthians 8:4).

What will happen if we allow ourselves to commune with others?

Not only we are fulfilling God’s command to love one another, but also as we go on with our lives connecting with others, we are actually having a relationship with Christ. Remember, He told us, “…whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” (Matthew 25:45) These words are the same as whatever we do to another, we do it unto Him. If we show love to others, we are actually doing it to God.

And imagine the comfort that others could feel when we open ourselves to them, help them and inspire them to keep the faith burning at all times amidst many sufferings and trials we experience everyday. Apostle Paul experienced this, “For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn —conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever. “ (2 Corinthians 7:5-7)

Although God commands being united with others, this can be a way of making others uncomfortable, especially those who are not used to with this kind of relationship. It is better that a senior member of the church enlightens them regarding this kind of association.

Another thing, connecting with others can be bad too. Having a friendship with others can be misinterpreted. We all need to be careful about this. Not all who are connecting with others are doing it for the right reasons. Others are just taking advantage of the situation. Therefore, we need to put some limitations when we connect ourselves with others.

Apostle Paul warned all the members of the church, “Do not keep company with those who have not faith: for what is there in common between righteousness and evil, or between light and dark.” (2 Corinthians 6:14) We need to separate ourselves from evildoers. We are called unto holiness, and we are children of God, so we need to be aware of that.

Apostle Paul reminds us about God’s promise, “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” (2 Corinthians 6:17-18)  

God’s command is to walk in love (2 John 1:6), not in darkness. Apostle John reminds us about this, “If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:6-7)

(From the sermon entitled, “Kung Bakit May Ilang Kapatid ang Hindi Makapaguukol ng Buong Katapatan sa Paglilingkod” for June 28, 2015)

In all kinds of relationship, enduring faithfully is important. Relationships do not last because of lack of loyalty and devotion. This is the same with our commitment with God. Some faithful were not able to remain true because of many reasons.

As servants, we need to remain faithful to Him because it is part of our holy obligation. Apostle Paul mentions about this, “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slaves or free.” (Ephesians 6:5-8)

He repeated the same message in Colossians 3:22-24, “Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

Nowadays, it is really hard to find someone who can be loyal and faithful at all times. King Solomon says, “Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?” (Proverbs 20:6)

 Why can’t many people remain faithful with their relationships? Why can’t many servants of God remain loyal to Him? For example, why did the ancient Israel separate from God? Why do some marriages result to separations?

One of the reasons mentioned in the Bible is the weakness of the flesh. Christ tells us, ‘the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak’ (Matthew 26:41) Because of weaknesses, we allow ourselves to be tempted and do sinful things, resulting to break our commitment with our partners, and much worse, with God. Remember Apostle Paul tells us, we always have this sinful nature and good doesn’t dwell in us (Romans 7:18). Once this sinful nature is triggered, it will always find a way to be satisfied.

The wife of Job is a perfect example. She lost her faithfulness in God when she saw Job’s sufferings. She has said, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9) The weakness to bear sufferings and trials is a reason why many relationships fail and do not last.

When people become obsessive in material gains, they forget about spirituality. A person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them, because they are discerned only through the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14). Some of the things that we experience in life are all trials and tests as all servants may have. These trials bring out the best in a faithful and make them more trustful and dependent on God.

Those who do not have the strength to bear such sufferings are bound to be separated from the will of God. People who have been separated from God will do whatever they want to do. They no longer have the ability to perform what is good and holy. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not doing whatever you want (Galatians 5:17).

People who do such things forget that whatever they sow on earth, they will reap it someday. If they sow in the flesh, they will gain it only in the flesh. They should not expect to benefit in the spirit (Galatians 6:8).

What do we need to do to remain faithful in God, as well as with other relationships?

What is expected of every believer is to remain faithful until the end. This may sound difficult to attain, but obviously, it is achievable because many servants have remained faithful to God until the end of their lives. What we need then to do is to do the same as what they have done, that is, to focus on our goal. Our goal is to be with God in heaven. If our eyes are set to worldly things, it will take us separate from our goal. We should focus on that goal to withstand anything.

In any failed relationship, both parties can be involved in dishonesty and deceit. This is due to absence of focus in their relationship. They might have been tempted with many things resulting to keep them apart from their relationship. When a camera lens is out of focus, all the things that it sees are blurred. Only the part that it focuses becomes clear. This is the same in our relationship with God. We become far from God because we tend to focus in many things rather than Him. Only if we focus in Him can make us linger in Him.

Servants of God take their happiness from the words of God. People of this world take theirs from worldly pleasures. Our goal is to be with God forever and this can only be attained if we remain in Him. If this is our goal, then we need to focus on this goal so that it will be very clear to us.

(From the sermon entitled “Ang Isa sa Dapat Taglayin ng mga Kapatid sa IDKH” for July 2, 2015)

Although blessed with one spirit and one faith, each member of the church remains different from one another when it comes to personal choices and traits. Each of us has its own likes or hates. What may be good to you may not be good to another, or the other way around.

This is the reason why we have different levels of faith and belief. Some are deeply rooted in the doctrines and teachings. Others are trying to get there, while some are having a hard time coping up. The Bible says there are some who keep the law, yet they still stumble (James 2:10).

The words of God may have little effect on some. Instead of being strong and firm, some have gotten too sensitive in many ways. They get easily irritated. Can that be stress related? Can that be because of the hardships they experience in life? Or, can that be lack of trust on what God can do with our lives? Jesus tells us not to worry about life, and yet many of us worry as if we have no God. Some of us do not live according to what we have heard, and much worse, we do not practice what we preach. We claim to be Christians and followers of Christ, yet it is like Christ does not dwell in us.

Are all of these traits shown by some fulfill what is mentioned in 2 Timothy 3:1-5? In the end days, people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self- control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power.

These traits are not of God, nor they came from heaven. They are from this world, from the devil. Unknowingly, the wickedness of this world may have infected some of us. Apostle Peter tells us of this, “If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true:“A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.” (2 Peter 2:20-22)  

Was this evident in the early Christian times? Yes it was. In fact, Apostle Paul wrote about some of the brethren of the church of God, “They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.” (Titus 1:16) They were members of the church, but they behaved without discipline. They have gotten totally out of control.

This is the reason why we need to be different from them. We need to be firm and strong, following the teachings of Christ; learn how to control one’s self. By standing firm, Christ tells us that we will win this life (Luke 21:19). And we should practice it in all the moments of our lives. We should behave not only when we are attending holy services. Being holy is not only during worship time, but holiness is due at all times.

Thus, we need to follow God’s will, “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.” (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4) Controlling one’s body means controlling our personal desires, which can be a ticket to hell. Without control, we can get lost and be doomed.

To be able to control one’s self, we need to be sober and alert, like Apostle Peter has written, “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.” (1 Peter 1:13) We need to be focused on the grace given to us by Christ, which will culminate at His coming. We need to be strong and overcome our weaknesses. Remember, we can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13). And, we can overcome the devil by fighting it with faith (1 Peter 5:8).

Apostle Paul reminded us, “This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.” (Titus 3:8)  

Our actions speak louder than our words. Our actions manifest our faith and beliefs. We are measured not by what we say who we are, but on how we are seen by others and most of all, by God. Rejoice in the Lord and be different! Apostle Paul mentions this, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)