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Romans 6:1-14 Genesis 41:25-49 “So
you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in
Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:1-11RSV). It
is ‘in Christ Jesus’ that the beginning of a new life has been
possible, a new start for the humankind has been made, and a new and redeemed
community has been created. In other words, by the grace of God
men and women are born again in Christ into a new existence. The
other aspect that Paul is explaining is that by being in new and
redeemed community, we are brought together. Consequently,
together, we experience life in the church which is the Body of
Christ. Thus, as a member of the redeemed community and an integral
part of the Body of Christ each one of us has an important role to
play in God’s mission. Prayer: Thanks be to You, my Lord Jesus Christ! ...................................................................................................................................................
Romans 6:15-end Genesis 42:18-end “For just as you once yielded your members to impurity and to greater and greater iniquity, so now yield your members to righteousness for sanctification” (Romans 6:19b RSV). Whether
it is national freedom or freedom in a general sense, the experience
tells us that most of the time it is misunderstood and misused as
‘liberty to do whatever or whichever way you like, as well as, in
today’s consumerist society
get anything you can pay for.’ Paul
points out that ‘to sin means to be a slave, whereas to be obedient
to God is to be free.’ Freedom for a Christian has to be in his/her
total commitment to God. Prayer:
Teach me, good Lord, to serve You as You deserve. ...................................................................................................................................................
Romans 7:1-6 Genesis 43:24-44:13
“But
now we are discharged from the law, dead to that which held us
captive, so that we serve … in the new life of the Spirit” (Romans
7:6 RSV). In Paul’s opinion to be
free from the tyranny of the law is as important and necessary as
freedom from the sin. What Paul is saying is that merely law-keeping
is not enough and never acquire merit in the eyes of God. But, this
does not mean that there is no law. As a matter of fact, freedom from
sin makes a person sensitive not to be conditioned by an external rule
but by an inner compulsion motivated by love. But,
unfortunately, ‘love’ as it is being projected through
media seems to have lost its meaning. What exactly ‘love’ is
supposed to be as is again defined by Paul in I Corinthians 13:1-13. As we observe, today, United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace, let us pray: Open our eyes, O Lord, to see through Your eyes the needs among those around us – especially the women – and enable us to instruments for peace in the world that we may be Your agents in Your service. Amen. ...................................................................................................................................................
Romans 7:7-20 Genesis 45:1-15 “I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do every thing I hate” (Romans 7:15 RSV). It
is said, if a needle is poked into the body and it does not hurt, this Someone
said, ‘A Christian belongs to two worlds at the same time: One is
the world where evil, suffering, and death are present, even, in
his/her own life. On the other hand, he/she belongs to the new world
where Christ is King where he/she has righteousness, life and
peace.’ Paul says, “I do not understand my own actions.” So
also, there has to be a conflict in every Christian’s life. Prayer: “Make me know Thy ways, O Lord; teach me Thy paths” (Ps. 25:4). ...................................................................................................................................................
Romans 7:21-8:4 Genesis 46:26-47:12 & 27-end “There is, therefore, now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1 RSV). Christianity
has in its very centre the truth that human beings need saving (moksha),
and can be saved. This is the theme of the gospel; that is why it is Good
News. As
far as Christian life is concerned, it is not adherence to the
‘law’; but, it is a personal relationship with the Saviour. Thus, the Good
News is Christ Himself, Who is the Truth, Satya. Sadhu
Sundar Singh, also, said, “Jesus Christ saves His people from their
sins: this is the very heart of Christianity … He frees them from
the dominion of sin by enabling them to overcome it …(although)
salvation is forgiveness from sin. But complete, perfect salvation is
freedom from sin, and not merely forgiveness of sins. Jesus Christ
came not only to forgive sins, but to make us free from sins …To be
saved by Christ is to receive new life from Him, to become a new
creature.” Prayer: “Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit” (Ps. 51:12 RSV). ...................................................................................................................................................
Luke 9:28-36 Exodus 33:12-23 ‘The
Lord said to Moses, “My presence will go with you, and I will give
you rest” (Exodus 33:14 RSV).
Often
in our life, before taking up an assignment we become full of anxiety,
and we express many ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’, which show lack of
confidence in ourselves and above all trust in God. Consequently, we
make excuses as an easy way of avoiding the responsibility that is
given to us. Moses
was asked by God to leave Prayer: Help us, O God, to walk with You each day in simple trust. Amen. ...................................................................................................................................................
Romans 8:1-11 Genesis 49:1-28 “But you are not in the flesh, you are in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God really dwells in you. Any one who does not have the spirit of Christ does not belong to Him” (Romans 8:9 RSV). In
his argument, now, Paul points out that through Christ sin is judged
(8:3) and the sinner is justified (8:10); consequently, the person is
brought into a right relationship with God in love. In other
words, through Christ, the Spirit of God is given to him/her, which is
life (8:10). The Indian theologian, V. Chakkarai, makes it quite
simple: ‘The Holy Spirit is Jesus Christ at work in the human
personality.’ Then,
where are we expected to differ from others? Paul, further, explains
that although, the Christians still have flesh like others, but, their
lower nature which causes jealousy, pride, anger, selfishness, etc.
(Cf. Gal. 5:19) does not dominate them. Prayer: Almighty God, in Christ, You make all things new. Transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of Your grace, that by the renewal of our lives Your glory may be revealed. Amen. ...................................................................................................................................................
Romans 8:12-25 Genesis 50:14-end “I
consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth
comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18
RSV). On
one hand, Paul says that ‘we are God’s children’ (8:16) on the
other hand, he, also, recognizes that ‘we are waiting for
adoption as sons (and daughters) (8:23).’ This is a great paradox of
a Christian life. Although, we are God’s children through Jesus
Christ; however, still waiting to be His sons and daughters in
the fullest sense. In other words, through the Spirit believers are
brought into the kind relationship with the Father which Jesus Himself
enjoyed. But, they are not exempted from the difficulties,
sufferings and tensions in this world. Yet,
in spite of all this, Paul constantly reminds us that the final
consummation of our Christian hope is ahead of us – that is:
‘our full redemption is to
come!’ According to A. J. Appasamy, an Indian theologian, it is moksha,
a state of eternal life that is, the knowledge of God in
Christ and faith-union with Him. Prayer: ‘Do not forsake me, O Lord! O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!’ (Ps. 38:21-22 RSV). ...................................................................................................................................................
Romans 8:26-end Exodus 2:1-22 “If God is for us, who is against us?” (Romans 8:31b RSV). Making
a confident assertion, Paul, here is making two points: First, like
the prodigal son, we may alienate ourselves from our heavenly Father
and drift away from Him; but he is always there with His arms opened
and stretched to embrace and accept us without any qualification (Lk.
15:20b ). Secondly, this does not mean there is nothing against us.
Because of his deliberate action against the will of his father,
prodigal son suffered a lot. But, although, evil oppresses and we
ourselves fail; there is nothing which can separate us from God’s
love in Christ Jesus. Today,
we remember Nehemiah Goreh, who belonged to well-to-do orthodox
Brahmin family, was baptized on this day in 1848, and voluntarily
lived an ascetic and self-denying life. Prayer:
May our faith be strong to enable us not to escape the
difficulties and challenges in living and dying but to see the strong
hand of God’s love upon us in everything. ...................................................................................................................................................
Romans 9:1-18 Exodus 3:13-4:9 “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For … the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen by race” (Romans 9:2-3 RSV). During
fifties, along with Billy Graham a team of evangelists also came to ‘Charity
begins at home’:
How many of us practice it? Often, we tend to be over enthusiastic
evangelists. But, Paul was concerned for his own people, the Jews. Prayer: We thank, O Lord, for the life and witness of Vethappan Soloman, evangelist – landed Car Nicobar 1895 – who practiced his faith among those closest to him. This day, let us also pray for the disabled. ...................................................................................................................................................
Romans 9:19-29 Exodus 5:1-6:1 “Has
the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one
vessel for beauty and another for menial use?” (Romans 9:21 RSV) Once,
a Muslim and a Christian were traveling in a train; the Muslim said to
the Christian, “He understands God only through His
characteristics.” The Christian, then, in response to his Muslim
fellow-passenger said, “I know, there are ninety-nine beautiful
names of God and many of them are attributed to God in the Holy Bible,
also. But, according to the Holy Bible there is only one
characteristic of God and that is, “God is love”(I Jn. 4:8
& 16 RSV). All other are manifestations of this, only,
characteristic of God. Thus,
‘What of those who have not accepted Christ?’ Paul reasons that
though God acts with freedom He is nevertheless a merciful God; as,
the secret of God’s mercy lies in the uncalculated quality of His
love. Prayer: ‘Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy steadfast love …’ (Ps. 51:1a). Amen. ...................................................................................................................................................
Romans 9:30-10:4 Exodus 7:8-24 “For Christ is the end of the law, that every one who has faith may be justified” (Romans 10:4 RSV). General,
human tendency is to find God themselves – such as, through, jnana
marga (knowledge) and karma marga (work) or strictly
adhering to God’s Law – instead, not to be found by
Him. Paul declares, that, God in Christ has done all that is necessary
for the salvation of humankind and the only response that is required
from them is faith. In other words, ‘It is not a
matter of achieving, but of receiving’, as A. M. Hunter puts it. According
to Sadhu Sundar Singh, ‘while other religions say, “Do good and
you will become good”’, Christianity says, “Be in Christ
and you will be good”.’ Prayer: Lord I believe, help my unbelief. Amen. (Mk. 9:24 RSV). ...................................................................................................................................................
Luke 11:14-26 Isaiah 49:22-26 ‘He
who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me
scatters’ (Luke 11:23 RSV). When
the devil tempted Jesus and asked him to ‘fall down and worship him.
Jesus said, “It is written, you shall worship the Lord your God
and Him only shall you serve.”’ (Mt. 4:9-10 RSV). No
compromise. Likewise, there is no place for ‘neutrality’ in the
life of those who encounter with Jesus. Satan always seeks to rule. Although,
even today, people do recognize good works being done in the service
of humankind by Christians, but, as long as they do not become threat
to their personal interest. Such attitude is a clear attempt to refuse
God’s rule. Prayer: Dear Lord, keep those who recognize your works from cynicism and fill their lives with your goodness and love. Amen. ...................................................................................................................................................
Romans 10:5-end Exodus 8:20-9:12 “If
you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your
heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans
10:9 RSV). Paul,
who once persecuted the Christians whom he considered as a threat to
his own faith; after his experience of encounter with Christ, which
brought a turning point in his life, is, now, a different man. He
proclaims, ‘salvation for all.’ As
a matter of fact, such idea of ‘salvation for all’ –
irrespective of caste, colour, creed, ethnicity, etc. – then, was
not something new. The references are found in the Old Testament
books, such as, Isaiah, Ruth and Jonah. Prayer: O God of entire world, take away all the pride and prejudice in us that may hinder those understanding of the gospel in Christ who desire to receive it. Amen. ...................................................................................................................................................
Romans 11:1-12 Exodus 10:1-20 “So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace” (Romans 10:5 RSV). Long
before Paul, according to the prophets of Some
times, it is experienced that even in our church congregations, there
are just a few faithful remnant servants. And, it is through them, by
grace, the Lord of the history continues furthering His purposes in
the world. Nevertheless, each generation and individual must, also,
make their own contribution. Prayer: O God, grant us your grace so that we may have a heart to love You and a will to serve You. Amen.
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