Seat of Power

This week’s discussion tackles mostly how popes have their power. I have learned that indeed, it’s a very common tendency for people to want to acquire power. People are so much addicted to acquisition of power for their own benefits. People are so much active to reach the highest seat of honor. The higher their seats are, the broader and wider their scope of authority is executed. Thus in connection with the pope’s power, to gain the power of authority is their very aim of being and reaching to the top. I have also learned that, even to the twisting of the Scripture, people may use it just to gain the power they needed.  It’s not good.

The church setting as I view them this time is like a child climbing so desperately to the top of a tree. Even though how hard it is, he would do what he could just to arrive at the top to get the view that he wants. And that is very sad for the church because the church that time really seems like on the move to acquire power, sadly in the persons of the pope.  And in myself, I sometimes also in some sense have this attitude. I want to have the authority for the sake of power. I want not to be under of anyone. I want that I’m on the top. And that’s very bad as the life of the church this time have shown through the life of the popes. What we really need to develop in everyone is the attitude of humility. Each one is to have a heart willing to understand and care for others.

With regards to the development of humility in each one, one thing to practice it is on the way we talk. As we talk to others our words are to be words that encourage others to serve God and build them up.

Righteous Acts

Pietism is a movement that seeks out to perform what we teach to be put in actual lives.  They have emphasized much about personal devotion and Bible reading.   These practices are  in fact in the Bible.  It was commanded that we read the word of God and pray to God.  However, in the long run, the idea was slowly twisted in the sense that it leads to self-righteousness because one has to do such things in order to have merits with God.  They slowly turn to judgmentalism, considering themselves to be more holy than others.

It is a good discipline for every member of the church.   However when we seek to do things that we think we can to please God, it will end up to extremity.   And when there is extremity then, that would no longer be good.  I sometimes have the tendency to do things on my own forgetting that by my strength I’m nothing.  I tend to be selfish at times in my decision and in my actions.  Yet it will always have negative results.

It’s a good thing to follow God.  Yet let’s not forget that our actions do not earn merits to gain favour from the Lord to the point that we think we are better and holier than others.   Holiness is not based upon our actions but based upon what Christ has done.  Therefore we seek to glorify God in our lives not to gratify ourselves.

The Hard Times for Good

I have a very informative journey in this course. I have learned things which I have not learned before. I was also fun studying with my batch mates since we can exchange ideas of the past issues that are still relevant in today’s living.

As I study with subject, I was really impressed about the life of the early Christians. I was amazed how they have spent their lives in pursuing to do what they believe is biblically right. The names of Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wesley and others are those people who I was challenged to commit my life in God’s service no matter what. They have given their lives thought it’s very hard just for the sake of doing God’s will in their lives. I admire their commitment.

During my grade school, I was having a hard time of memorizing facts and dates. That’s why I don’t like history subjects. So, in terms of memorizing those significant events it really challenges me. But what really pushes me to strive hard, to be better, passionately pursuing the Lord’s calling in my life is when I study on my own. I was hard because I am deprived of direct interaction with others about some issues which I consider very much helpful for me since I can see ideas which I have not notice on my first phase of learning as I exchange ideas with others. But I cannot choose the option of quitting. It was just a test of my faith in God. Though sometimes those people whom I think will be a help and encouragement for me are the ones that rather will turn me down, still God is just always there for me revealing Himself as a loving God so, even though it’s hard to pursue serving God, whom shall I fear anymore. Through God given strength and for His glory, I can do all things through Christ.

Soldiers of Christ, Arise

Soldiers of Christ, Arise is an 18th-century English hymn. "Soldiers of Christ, arise, and put your armour on" refers to the armour of God in Ephesians 6:10–18.Wesley initially wrote the hymn to defend against criticism of Methodism in the United Kingdom. During their evangelical careers, both Charles Wesley and his brother John Wesley received physical abuse because of them. As a result, this hymn was written because of the military references and the apparent call to arms when it was set to music.

It was a hard time during their time battling from belief to belief against the ads in the society, the government and morality. When people are place in a certain situation where in he has nowhere to run, its either he will surrender, to just fight up to the last breath. What I mean it that each one of us right now are facing different situation that pushes us to our limitation. And all of it, we intend to fight for us to be victorious. Yet, our fight isn’t really our fight but we have God whom we can lean on.

I have seen also my life battling against problems. I sometimes have the tendency to quit yet God has always encourages me to trust in Him. We see people around walking straight yet deep inside each one has battle that they have been facing. In any way, we have God whom we can rely on. We have Christ whom we can trust on. That the message se are to tell people, that we have God, our Lord Jesus Christ whom we can trust. And when people realize that it’s true they will come into repentance.

I have seen very wonderful attitude every Christian must have; that’s prayer. God has been always there for us. He is willing to help us. No matter who we are, and what we are, God will forgive us as we can humbly before Him. Let’s surrender fully our lives to God.  

The Papal Visit

 

The papal visit is one of the most awaited events of every Roman Catholic. For them it’s a blessing from above that one should not miss. It’s something that one hopes for; that even though how much tough and struggling this world is, there something that well comfort them, the pope. I don’t know how come that this much enthusiasm came to every catholic. Because as I observe from almost every Catholics, they do all their best preparation just to see it that all well have these sense of spirituality when they see the pope, much more if they have the chance to talk or just even touch the pope. But, of course, we who know the truth are not to these issues.

In my life, however I cannot totally say that I’m any different from them. Because sometimes, I also put my hope on things that don’t even guarantee   good outcome.  One example, back then when I was in high school. I participated much on contest and that instead of relying on God for me to pass, I rely rather on my teacher, even on myself that I could do it. For me it’s a kind of idolatry which the Devil use. People are being diverted to worshipping a god that’s not real. And Christians are not exempt of this.

In my life, I’ve learned that constant fellowship with other believers is a must for a Christian to grow. It would be very ironic for a Christian to not like fellowship since we are described in the Scripture as a body. We need each other.  A lot of times, I don’t have the energy to go with others. However, I was reminded that, our life is a life meant to interact. We are to care for one another. I too have to be sensitive to others need in order to be able to help them.

The Delimma

The discussion is about how the Roman Bishops have gained power over the church as well as how the Church has increased its influence. Within this period of time however, the Roman empire is slowly losing its power being under attack by the their enemies. The society of this time is so evil. However even being under the control of the enemy does not hinder the church expansion. The Church in fact is rapidly growing even in the midst of such evil society. However, with its growth is also coupled with the increase of its false and wrong teachings. I’ve learned that God is indeed in sovereign control of everything. He can use even the works of evil to execute His plan for the expansion of His kingdom. I’ve seen the church to be like a rice field. Even though the sower did not plant those weeds, still they grow among the rice. That’s also how I see the church in this period of time. For sure, for the people at that moment, they were thinking for what is best, however, some of those decisions made were rooted from a wrong motive. Thus as a result, the growth of real believers are mixed with those who are not.

In some instance nowadays that is also what  happens. And I myself, honestly, at times, am guilty of this dilemma. I at times live a double type life. And that is very bad because, I let people see my outside holiness yet inside is a corruption of character. But  the Bible is clear that it’s not good. There’s no middle ground in serving the Lord. I should always choose to serve God in my life.

Sometimes problems are wake up calls for Christians. The Lord allows them to remind us of what should really be our actions. Let’s not forget  that we ought to always seek the Lord first in our life. 

Seat of Power

This week’s discussion tackles mostly how popes have their power. I have learned that indeed, it’s a very common tendency for people to want to acquire power. People are so much addicted to acquisition of power for their own benefits. People are so much active to reach the highest seat of honor. The higher their seats are, the broader and wider their scope of authority is executed. Thus in connection with the pope’s power, to gain the power of authority is their very aim of being and reaching to the top. I have also learned that, even to the twisting of the Scripture, people may use it just to gain the power they needed.  It’s not good.

The church setting as I view them this time is like a child climbing so desperately to the top of a tree. Even though how hard it is, he would do what he could just to arrive at the top to get the view that he wants. And that is very sad for the church because the church that time really seems like on the move to acquire power, sadly in the persons of the pope.  And in myself, I sometimes also in some sense have this attitude. I want to have the authority for the sake of power. I want not to be under of anyone. I want that I’m on the top. And that’s very bad as the life of the church this time have shown through the life of the popes. What we really need to develop in everyone is the attitude of humility. Each one is to have a heart willing to understand and care for others.

With regards to the development of humility in each one, one thing to practice it is on the way we talk. As we talk to others our words are to be words that encourage others to serve God and build them up.

Labelled byName

The discussion this week was about the radical reformers.  They are those people who seek  transformation in the Roman church.  Some were very harsh in accomplishing their reform. They are the kinds of people who will just do anything just to accomplish their cause.  But some of them were very good.  They have advanced their cause in a Biblical and peaceful cause yet were persecuted  much because of false accusations. They are the Anabaptists.  They are placed in a situation where they are labelled wrongly not because of their own action but because of others’ action who were associated to them. Anabaptists were all radicals yet, not all radicals were Anabaptist. However the Roman church sees them the same, all of them are opposition to the church and must be illuminated, and because Anabaptist were peaceful movement, they endure the great suffering afflicted to them by the Roman church.

I can somehow relate to the Anabaptist. Back then when I was high school. I usually go together with my worldly friends and though I do not do what they do I was always accused of doing it so because I go with them.  And even in the church sometimes, or in a classroom.  People are sometimes mislabelled. Christians are a lot of times mislabelled. But however, they are mislabelled in a wrong standard.

In our life, especially in my own life, the standard of living is the Bible. People will always have something to say against us, yet, our actions are not determined by their words of opinion but rather what the Lord has commanded and said. It’s God whom we serve not men. The approval of God is of the outmost importance. 

For the Good or Bad

The week’s discussion tackles about the changes in the fundamental beliefs of the church. In this chapter, we can see the big transformation not just in the minor doctrines of the church also in the major doctrine also.  Sad to say,  it involves even the doctrine of salvation through sacraments.  And it’s not good.  I see the church here as a kind of two faced man.  He is very good in the outside yet so corrupt in the inside.  Because she is very determined to have power in a very wrong way.  The church this time is so desperate for gaining authority in a wrong way. The church also in this time is a kind of fierce lion ready to devour those who will go against her. This period is so sad in the point of history of the church.

In my life this is indeed very true. I was being attacked by the devil in all areas of my life to lead me to go sinning. Our strength as human is indeed not sufficient to battle the forces.  I got tempted a lot of times, but God’s grace is so evident though I really do deserve punishment. God has been so faithful in my life despite my unfaithfulness. God uses people to discipline me, while He also provided people to comfort and encourage me.

God is indeed both a just yet loving God. We may tend to do wrong things yet God is fair in dealing with us. In myself, committing it to God is the one thing by His strength I should be doing. God has manifested His grace so much in my life.  He deserves all the glory and honor.

Do You Know Mary

This reading is about Mary considered to have an exceptional access to Jesus. The reading emphasizes of kind a special relationship Mary has to Jesus being the earthly mother of Jesus. Thus with that, if we want a sure answer for our prayer, let it be directed to Mary. Especially to those who are married people, Mary is very much concerned about you. This asserts that if Jesus is the mediator to God, then Mary is our mediator to Jesus.

Yet with this theology, I’ve seen three significant errors. First, it denies the power of the death of Christ and his resurrection. It’s so because what Christ has accomplished offers our access to God. Meaning, we don’t need mediation for us to go to Jesus because it’s Jesus himself who takes the initiative in reaching us. Second, it asserts that Mary has power above us. The bible clearly teaches that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. How can a sinner like us be a mediator for us? We don’t need other mediator aside from Jesus himself. Lastly, it thwarts the reality of the need of a saviour. Meaning if Mary can grant answer to our prayer then, our security in Christ now is dependent to Mary. Yet, the Bible is very much clear on this that no other name on heaven and on earth is given the authority that we can come to God, aside from Jesus.

Well, I wonder why this had happened. Maybe because we see answers to prayer so long to wait or the answers to prayer that we want was answered by God in a way we don’t want. So people are making excuses and making solution to their problem. Yet, what’s wrong with this was the fact that it was based on the standard which the Bible has not taught us. In my life, I too have questions to God. Honestly these past days, though I don’t have the right to question God why, still I do asked why. But even though how complex life seems to be for me, God is still simple in manifesting his care and love for me. Well, it takes faith, to believe that God is the God of order. I just believe God has purpose in my life 

A Mighty Fortress in Our God

 

Knowing the context of the Christians during the time of Martin Luther, they were in a kind of situation where in the church is struggling about the sacrament observance.  For me, I know for sure that it’s not only Luther who is questioning about those issues.  Maybe others though not satisfied with it, just didn’t have the courage to tell what their feelings were.  Others, on the other hand, may also be having the same question but because they were enjoying already the benefits of it, didn’t mind it anymore of whether its good or bad, anyway for them the pope is on their side as they advocate what the pope imposes.

Yet, not so with Martin because he had indeed risen up to question the church about the matters of indulgence and popes authority to forgive sins. The mode of the song for me serves as like a motivation that no matter what happens, as long as we stand on the truth, whether it will cause to even sacrifice our lives, we will not fail because it’s God who backs us up.  Now, to think of it, our strength therefore comes not of our own but from God.

There are times that indeed it’s hard to stand on the truth.  A lot of times that we are being tested on how firm will we stand on what is right.  Honestly, I tend sometimes to compromise to wrong doing for the sake of having peace with them, yet in the end resulted not to good outcome. Whether we do good or bad, people always have something to say. Thus, it’s better to just do what the Lord wants us to do.

He is our standard. People around may have voices on our actions but they will never be a basis for right decision.  The Bible is our authority as we live.  For me, diligent deep devotion is a good attitude for every Christians.  Not only that we read our Bible in a mere one, but now, verse by verse, we meditate it.  With it, we can see and hear the voice of God that will serve as our guide in a deeper sense.