God's Good Life
Romans 12-16
22 December 2024
God's People for His Glory
Romans 16
by Joel Sim
In Paul's concluding words in the book of Romans, the apostle sends greetings to the church at Rome and from his co-labourers. By doing so, he affirms them as fellow believers in the Lord. However, the dangers of church division are real because of the ongoing work of sin and Satan. Yet, God's people can be hopeful because the God of peace will soon crush Satan completely, as well as bring an end to conflicts and divisions. In all of these, God deserves the utmost glory.
15 December 2024
Gospel Partnership in Practice
Romans 15:22-33
by Tan Huai Tze
As Paul shares his travel plans to Spain, via Rome and before that Jerusalem, he reveals to us what gospel partnership is like. It’s about embracing our distinct and different callings, giving of ourselves generously, and praying earnestly.
8 December 2024
Gospel Ministry in Action
Romans 15:14-22
by Tan Huai Tze
Paul now circles back to where he began, sharing with the Roman Christians about his gospel ministry. He shows them that it involves commending the good we see in others, and speaking candidly because we care, and because we want to see the nations come to Christ.
1 December 2024
Christ the Hope of All Nations
Romans 15:8-13
by Joel Sim
The apostle Paul addresses the issue of Jew-Gentile relationships in these verses. The reconciliation of these deeply divided groups is only possible in Christ through His salvation of both Jews and Gentiles, which was God's plan of salvation all along. In this fallen world, hope is only possible and enduring for those of the faith because of its source: the God of hope.
24 November 2024
The Welcome of the Gospel
Romans 15:1-7
by Joel Sim
As the apostle Paul begins to conclude his exhortation to the Roman Christians, he points them to the example of Jesus Christ as a model for loving one another. By following Christ's sacrificial model of love, we are building up our fellow believers and moving towards unity in the faith. We are to welcome one another, as Christ has welcomed us for God's glory. Such embrace is not dependent on what the other believer does, but it's grounded in the Gospel of God's sheer grace.
17 November 2024
A Kingdom of Joy
Romans 14:13-23
by Aaron Akins
Paul considers the issue of eating certain foods, which is not essential to the Gospel, as a case study of not causing another believer to stumble in the faith. In such secondary issues, one needs to consider how righteousness and peace are pursued in the church, rather than insistence on being right, so that Christ may be honoured. Through this, others may see the true nature of Christ's kingdom.
10 November 2024
Welcoming the Other
Romans 14:1-12
by Tan Huai Tze
Paul addresses a conflict in the Roman church between the ‘weak,’ who observed Jewish dietary laws and festivals, and the ‘strong,’ who did not. Paul emphasizes that through Christ, God has welcomed both groups, and they should therefore welcome each other.
3 November 2024
The Life of Love
Romans 13:8-14
by Tan Huai Tze
The Apostle Paul concludes his discourse on “genuine love” by telling us why we should live a life of genuine love. He also gives an indication of what that life looks like. We’re to live this live because we have been forgiven much and so owe a debt of love to others. We’re also to live this way because Christ is coming again soon. The life of love is one where we turn away from the unloving deeds of darkness, embrace Christ, and live the life He has for us.
27 October 2024
The Gospel and Governing Authorities
Romans 13:1-7
by Tan Huai Tze
The way that Christians relate to the governing authorities reflects the genuine love that we have received in Christ through the Gospel. The Gospel gives us a lens to evaluate all authority and relate to it wisely and winsomely.
20 October 2024
Love that Conquers Evil
Romans 12:9-21
by Tan Huai Tze
This passage shows us that genuine love is what we need to live in Christian community with all its shortcomings, sins and imperfections. It’s a love expressed through genuine affection, zealous action and gracious restraint. It’s a love that reflects God’s love for His own in Christ.
13 October 2024
How Then Should We Live?
Romans 12:1-8
by Joel Sim
For the first 11 chapters of his letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul focuses on God's work of redemption in the Gospel. In Romans 12:1-8, Paul transitions to how we are to live in light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are to live as living sacrifices, offering our whole selves to God. In the life of the church, this involves loving one another in humility, as well as to labour cheerfully with our spiritual gifts. We do all these "by the mercies of God" in Jesus Christ (verse 1).