The halfbaked Bard

He who loves his neighbour has fulfilled the law. Rom:13:8 Love is the core of everything. He who loves his neighbour will not do him/her any harm. No adultery  No murder. No stealing. No coveting. All of the law is summed up in this. The good Samaritan's story tells us whom to love and to what extend to love. Prayer:  Father God, help me to love as you have loved me. Alien I was to you, but you still loved me. Rebel as I was, you loved me still. Help me to love others with no conditions. So that I would be able to forgive; so that I would be able to be a slave to them selflessly. You said you have come not to be served. But to serve. Let servitude be my word too. Selflessly denying my own self, my own ambitions and desires and uphold others desires fully. Lord let there be not even an iota of self creeping in. Like John the Baptist, let him increase and I decrease. May the other person increase.  No jealousy, no envy, only love. Considering the other person, ...

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Rom:12:21 Evil is the enemy of God. As a child of God do not succumb to evil, be it lust, greed , selfishness, pride or of any sort. Do not be overcome by these. Resist when the thought comes itself. But overcome evil with good. Being good, reflecting the goodness of your God. The world runs in this rut - repay evil by evil. Envy, pride, revenge. Step out. Be a difference. Show the right way to do it. Show the way God has done it. Who came seeking down, when I was rebellious. When I was His enemy He loved me. Image courtesy: https://www.istockphoto.com/search/2/image-film?phrase=child+foot+step+on+sand&tracked_gsrp_landing=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.istockphoto.com%2Fphotos%2Fchild-foot-step-on-sand

Rom:12:3 Not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think, but to think so as to have sound judgement. Not an attitude of pride, thinking high of yourself. Not an attitude of self condemnation, thinking of yourself low. Pride goes before a fall. Always remember the grace by which you have been saved. Destined to eternal hell, pulled out of the very mouths of damnation. Do not think high of yourself. Do not be condemning yourself. Thinking low of yourself is not humility. That is thinking low of your Abba. You are a child of God. An heir of God. Co-heir with Christ. Seated on the right hand side of God. No one can demean you. Not even yourself. You are the King's son. The King's daughter. Have a sound judgement, as God has allotted each, a measure of faith. Based on the measure of faith allotted to you. See yourself thus. As Jesus sees you. Not proud. Not self demeaning. Image courtesy: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-gaming-headset/

Transformed by the renewing of your mind. Rom:12:2 Many strive to be good. Being good to the society out of obligation or out of selfish interests. But those are all not being good, it is doing or showing good. For inherantly the heart is deceitful. True change has to come from within. If I am showing goodness to someone out of anything apart from love, that's showing, not being. True transformation has to happen by the renewing of mind - a change of mindset. That only the Holy Spirit can do. Here the transformation desired by God is even bigger. The transformation told here is not to be a better human. It is into the likeness of the Son. God's good and acceptable and perfect will is not that you would be a good man or woman, but to be like the Son. By a total change in approach of your mind. The way you think.  This change has to happen from the inside, which God Himself has to do. Not from the outside by you, or by force. Only be desirous of it. Only seek and year...

Rom:12:1 Therefore I urge you brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice acceptable to God which is your spiritual act of worship. In response to knowledge of God, given to us by His amazing grace, present your body as a living sacrifice. In response to what you have been given freely, respond to it by offering your body, your life fully for God.it is no longer I who live, but Christ in me. Fully for God. That is the key for fullness of life that He promised. Denying your own self and fully for Christ alone. A holy sacrifice. Not a fallen, marred one as you used to live. But a life directed to God. Pushing holiness. For He is holy. Not perfection. But holiness. Trying. You might not be able to. But try. Complete perfection and complete glorification will happen later.  But live a life that is justified and therefore pleasing to God. Who saved you. Living such a life acceptable to God is your exact worship. Singing songs or raisin...

Unfathomable His ways. Rom:11:33 His ways are higher than your ways. With the limited knowledge and finite wisdom that you have, you take decisions. But letting it into the hands of the infinite God of unsearchable wisdom and unlimited knowledge is easier. For He loves you. His plans are to prosper you and not to harm you. His plans are to bring you hope and future. Image credit: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/see-how-crushing-pressures-increase-in-the-oceans-depths/

Rom:11:17 You being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became part taker with them of the rich root of the olive tree. The purpose of grafting is so that, you would yield fruit from a type - for better results. A combination of good from both the branch and from the tree. But this grafting in the Bible is not of that purpose. That wild olive was useless. It is grafted so that the wild olive will yield fruit. It is all benefit for the wild olive. It was not considered worthy. But out of kindness, it is grafted to the original tree. But then there are branches that are severed, Israel who has rejected the gospel. It is because they were severed, because of their unbelief that we have been privileged to be grafted to Him. If they were severed, how much more we would be if we lack faith. And Paul goes on to say, they who have been severed can be grafted back, if they believe. Sum and substance is that - it is by Grace that you have been saved by faith. Nothing for you...

I was found by those who did not seek me. I became manifest to those who did not ask for me. Rom:10:20 Isa:65:1 In Isaiah it says, I permitted myself to be found, I permitted myself to be found..... This is called grace. To us Gentiles, when we did not seek him. When we did not pursue Him. While we were rebellious and not destined to know Him. While we were slaves to many things.... Grace came along and chose us. Not that I deserved it. Not that I chose Him. Infact He came along when I rejected Him. He came along when I was not seeking Him. But He chose me, when I least deserved it. It was God's initiative. Image credit: https://www.instagram.com/p/C4iLAx1OSog/

Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.  Rom:10:11 Not in this world. Nor in the world to come.  Not that all your desires will be satisfied. Nor that all your dreams will come true and therefore you will be satisfied. It is about a satisfaction of knowing God. For that has been man's unending desire. A peace that all is good. Because my Father is in control. A contentment that I am safe in my God's hand and a surity that nothing can separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Even if darkness looms all around you, even if everything around you is a ruckus turned topsy turvy. You know who holds your hand. You are satisfied in Him. He has satisfied you. He is all you need. For He is all that you have. Image credit: https://www.pond5.com/stock-footage/item/248273018-close-lips-smiling-white-teeth-older-man-isolated-orange?dd_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

Rom:10:2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. Zeal for God, not based on knowledge. But in faith. Lord give me a passion for you not in knowledge, but in faith. Help my unbelief. Give me faith Lord, that I would just believe that you will carry me through. Just believe in your delivering hand. Your everloving heart that always bleeds for me. Your ever providing hand is enough for me. You have said that you know my needs even before I say it, for you are my Father. You are my Creator. He who have His only Begotten Son to salvage me, will He not care to provide for my daily needs. Help me to just trust in you. That you control my life. Image credit: https://www.freepik.com/premium-photo/image-young-woman-holding-bible-tightly-her-chest-christianity-ready-show-love-god_17865415.htm

So faith comes from hearing, hearing by the word of Christ. Rom:9:17 So do you lack faith? Do you often pray, Lord give me faith? Lord increase my faith? Help my unbelief Lord. This is the solution. Hear the Word of Christ  Spend more time with the Bible. Just read, meditate, listen to the Word of God. Try to remember what you learnt. When you are free. When you are busy. When you are working. When you are scrolling. When you are sitting. When you are  travelling. All the time. Let it be all about the Word of God in your mind. In your mouth. Faith comes only from hearing the Word of God. Image credit: https://www.istockphoto.com/search/2/image-film?phrase=airpod+ear&tracked_gsrp_landing=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.istockphoto.com%2Fphotos%2Fairpod-ear

Rom:9:25 And her who was not beloved, beloved. Quoted from Hosea.  Hosea's wife was an adulteress and her children were illegitimate. Even after Hosea married her, in her promiscuity, she deserted him for others. But still Hosea genuinely and passionately  loves her and busy her back. We don't know whether Gomer realised and repented. But we continue to reject His love even after He considers us His beloved when we did not receive it and when we did not want it. I am the Lord's beloved is an emotional outcry to others who ridicule is, sillify us and those who hate us. Yes God is on my side. But what has changed in you because of this cry. How does it prompt you to act? To pursue His character. https://www.facebook.com/CentralOnTheSquare/photos/womenofthebiblewednesday-gomer-was-the-unfaithful-wife-of-hosea-the-prophet-the-/10158096443522157/

There is no injustice with God, is there? Rom:9:14 God chooses one and rejects another. He predestines one to be saved and another to die. He chooses to have mercy on one and hardens the heart of another. Is it not unfair on the one who is on the wrong side of God? He has already been predestined. Then how does he stand accountable? Paul explains-  Who are we to question God. It is His wisdom. His Sovereignty. Finite beings like us will not understand the unlimited will of God. Secondly if you talk about fairness talk about mercy too. Mercy shown to me. I deserved hell, but He chose me to be His son. I did not deserve Him. But He chose me. Third. This is my way of explaining it. (Not there in the portion) Cross is the reason why we can say there is no unfairness. God Himself bore all the punishment when He did not deserve it. Pure, blameless, blemishless, but still He was accused and died an accursed death. Why? It was unfair. But He chose to do that because of His love...

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. Rom:8:37 In all which things? Tribulations, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, sword. When we feel defeated. We are more than conquerors.  When we are crushed, beyond our tensile strength, we are more than conquerors. When we are about to snap open, we are more than conquerors. When the enemy thinks he can gloat over you, when he assumes that he has overhauled you, that's when you realise that the one in you is more powerful than him. God uses the weak little child of His, to overcome the mighty prince of the world. By His might. Through Him who loved us. Dear one, there is no need to struggle, no need to whine under the crushing toe of the enemy. Just faith. Just trust. You can believe a paracetamol to heal you of your headache. Why?  Based on my past experiences. It is scientifically proven. Same case here. Even more to trust. Why can't you believe the truths of the word of ...

Who will separate us from the love of Christ. Rom:8:35. A self answering question. Nothing. Not tribulations. Not distress. Not persecution. Not famine. Not nakedness. Not peril. Not sword. Rom:8:38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers  nor height, nor depth nor any created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord Amen. God's love will never fail you. It will never leave you.  His love is always there. No matter wherever you are. But what if you deliberately choose to walk far away from His love? His love is still there. Like the Father of the prodigal son, He would be waiting. His love will not push you far away but hold you close to His bosom than ever before. His love will be there, but it is your choice to stay in it that determines whether you experience it. His love will not grow cold. But will you choose to receive i...

If God is for us who can be against us? Rom:8:31 This is not like a match, where the home team gets the crowd support. And because of the massive crowd support, you are motivated to do your best. You therefore perform well and then you win. Crowd is for you.  But sometimes it will not work that way. That support may often backfire. You will be pressurized to perform well and then you crumble. When St. Paul says that, if God is for us who can be against us, that is not in that sense. He is with you in the game. The nearest similitude is like, the GOAT is playing for your team.  Even then you might lose the game. But not when God is on your side. You are sure to win. Because of many reasons. He is God. He loves you so much. He has plans to prosper you. Image credit:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DQOQNQdj3Xf/

Rom:8:29-30 Foreknew-Predistined-Called-Justified-Glorified. Each of these words is a basic doctrine which needs to be studied. Foreknew - knew before hand. Even before we were born. Even before the foundations of the earth was laid. He knew me. Because He is my Creator. He is my Father. And loves me. Predestined- God's plan of choosing me happened even  before I existed. That doesn't negate my role in my salvation. But He chose me when I least deserved it. It was not you who chose me, but I chose you, Jesus says. Called - The calling was given to be reinstated by God. It was initiated by God. Not that I found Him. But He found me out  Justified - And because of the salvation offered to me, I stand justified. Just as if I never sinned. Washed clean by the blood of the spotless and blemishless love of Jesus. Glorified - The most perplexing and intriguing word. Not will be glorified. He has glorified. The reward of the glorified body we will get in eternity to come f...

Rom:8:28 And we know that, God causes all things to work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. - And we know that. It is a surity. Not a hypothesis. Nor a proposal that needs to be proved. Not an idea that needs to be tested. It is a proven fact. My response is to just believe. - God causes. It is not a product of chance. It is God who works behind everything. The Eternal Supreme being. The Creator and Sustainer behind the Universe. The Almighty King of kings. Now works all things together for you. - All things to work together. Not few things. All things. Your life is in His hands. And no one can snatch you away. -  For good. For your ultimate good. The ultimate good is not something which you dream about. He is not a magic wand to make your wish come true. The ultimate good is your transformation into the Son's likeness . So anything that happens outside your plan, any wreck that you are involved in, will ultimatel...

Rom:8:26 But the Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. The Holy Spirit in us prays with us and intercedes for us and presents our prayers to the Father according to the will of God. Even when we don't have the strength to pray. Even when we are angry at God and are rebellious enough to pray. Even when we are unable to pray. Even when we do not know how or what to pray. The Holy Spirit, the Triune God in us, prays to the Father and present our prayers acceptable to Him. These are part of the divine communications within the Trinity. The one who is in us being one with the Father. So be encouraged dear one. If you are unable to pray, know that God that is in you is interceding for you. But let not that be an excuse. Keep praying. Keep talking to your Father - in season and out of season. Pray without ceasing. Always. Image credit: https://www.freepik.com/premium-ai-image/pious-person-reads-prayer-when-white-dove-holy-spirit-descends-from_395916101.ht...

Rom:8:26. In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weakness. 2Cor:12:10. When I am weak, then I am strong. When we are weak, we realise our helplessness and we run to the strong tower. And He is our strength. He will enable. He will help. He will do it. So do not be disheartened when things go over the board. When things go out of your control. When things are out of what you can handle. And you do not know what you are supposed to do. Trust in the Lord with all your heart Lean not on your own understanding  In all of your ways acknowledge Him And He will make your path straight Don't worry about tomorrow  He's got it under control Just trust in the Lord with all your heart And He will carry you through Lord sometimes it feel so tough To keep my eyes on you when things are going wrong When I lift my eyes upto the skies and then hear your voice. It says to me. Just trust in the Lord with all your heart And He will carry you through. Image credit: https://www.roffe...

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Rom:8:18 Whatever you go through today, dear one, is insignificant as compared to the glory that will be revealed later. V:25. If we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. The hope of what we do not see, but are yet to see, the glory of it all, that which is kept as an inheritance for me, the eternal life. The weight of it. The magnanimity of it. The humungousness of it. As compared to that, your present day trouble is nothing. Be it health. Be it financial. Be it emotional. Be it any significant thing for you. It is insignificant for Him. Not that He will push it aside. God has it all in His hands. And He has a solution. He holds my present times and the eternity in His hands. Then just trust right?  Greater things are yet to come. These are all small things for your Father. Greater things He has done. Greate...

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a Spirit of adoption as sons by whom we cry out 'Abba Father'. Rom:8:15 I'm no longer slave to fear. I am a child of God. What all fear grips us? Fear of death. Fear of eternal punishment. We were once overpowered by it. But now that we are adopted into the sonship of the Eternal Father, there is no fear. We can boldly sit on His lap forever and be in His bosom for eternity and call Him Abba Father.  But still dear one, are you tossed by fear? Fear of uncertainty. Fear of the future. Fear of any sort is unwarranted. You are a child of God. And how disappointing it would be for a father to know that his son never trust him. How disappointing it is then not to trust your Eternal Father. You are an heir of God. Not the greatness of you. But the greatness of your Father. The Almighty. The Eternal. The Alpha and the Omega. The Beginning and the End. He is your Father. You are H...

Rom:8:14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God. We are His children. His very own. We are His beloved. The King of kings. We have the privilege to call Him Abba Father. Heirs of God. Co-heirs with Christ. Will not this Almighty Abba Father give you everything you need? Will not He protect you from every danger? Will not He provide for you and care for you? Then what precludes your absolute trust. Why don't you believe that you are standing on hard Rock? Solid Rock?  Yes you love Him, but do you trust Him? Image credit: https://in.pinterest.com/pin/707487422686064657/

Rom:8:12 So then brethren, we are under obligation not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. You are not destined to slavery. You are not destined to curse. You are out of all jinx. No obligation. V:11 He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. You need not struggle in any familial trait. All bane has been cancelled. On the cross. By the blood of the unblemished Lamb you have been washed clean. A new creation you are. Abundant life you are called for. Then why this struggle? It's fine. Keep submitting to the Holy Spirit in you. It's a process. Do not worry. Do not be angry. Do not be anxious. Do not fret. Do not fall into the trap you have been falling recurrently. The trap which subtlizes you. Life to the fullest is yours for the taking. In Jesus Christ. Image credit: https://in.pinterest.com/pin/452189618836552880/

Rom:8:1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Thanks be to God. Despite seeing my wretchedness. Despite knowing my rebellion, He loved me so much that He did not want me to end up in hell. So He did something only He could do in order to redeem me. And because of that, I stand uncondemned. Forever. I have been saved for good. The enemy cannot touch my destiny. I hope the wonderful thing I have as an inheritance that my Father has reserved for me. And now nothing can seperate me from His love  to me. Image credit: https://stock.adobe.com/in/search?k=infinity+sign

Wretched man that I am. Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom:7:24-25 I need to realise my wretchedness. I was indulged in sin. God saved me. Even after being rescued, I struggle to do things of God. To revert from sinfulness. To love God with all my heart. I follow the cravings of my flesh. That shows my wretchedness. My plight. My rebellion to the one who loves me.  The truth of I cannot save myself has to sink in. I cannot set myself free. And only Christ. He loved me first. He pulled me out unto His bosom. The contrast between my limitless wretchedness and Gods unending love. My perpetual rebellion and God's tagless love. Not out of compulsion. But out of compassion. When I least deserved it. Image courtesy: https://www.dreamstime.com/beautiful-close-up-zebra-high-contrast-black-white-high-contrast-black-white-zebra-close-up-image171761708

For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate to do. Rom:7:15 For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Rom:7:18. For what I do is not the good that I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing. Rom:7:19. This is the constant struggle of a man called Christian. The struggle of wanting to do good. But ending up doing the very things that I did not want to do. And you do not want to do the things of the world, but you ultimately end up doing the same. No matter how tested, how mature he is, the Christian always ends up doing this, because of the power of sin in him. But the flame is being kindled. The Spirit gives him the desire to live according to Him, to do things according to His desire. A sinner continues to revel in doing things which God hates without any desire to do things in the good way. But the Christian not only desires, but pushes himself to do good. Of course the graph would rise subtly and slowly, but i...

We serve in the new way of the Spirit. Rom:7:6 Not in the old way of the written code. We are not destined to travel in the old path. Behold the new has come. Curses are cancelled. Sinful ways are cleansed. Dark dungeons are enlightened. You need not run by your feelings. You need not run with your old fuel. Behold everything is new. The Spirit in you, has made you alive unto Him. You need not run in the path that has been cut for you by the enemy when you were his property. Now you are the Lord's beloved. His asset you are. His light will therefore shine. That is why it is said that you are free. The Son has come to set you free. And therefore you are free indeed. May you enjoy this newness that has already been given to you. Image credit: https://www.vecteezy.com/photo/68266586-new-little-plant-growing-on-a-rock-symbolizing-new-life-and-beginning

Rom:6:22 Enslaved to God. I want to be enslaved to God. I want to do things which please God. I want to come out of the slavery I'm stuck in. Where I am forced to do things which I hate to do. As a new creation, slave to righteousness I am made. I am free indeed, but slave to God. I want to be a man after God's own heart. I want to be a person doing the right things. Making the right choices. Seeing the right things. Hearing the right things. Filling my heart with the right things. I want to hate things which I once loved. I want to resist my old master and surrender to my rightful Lord. Reciprocate the Agape Love to me. Unconditional love that loves me without any tags. I want to be a man who thinks only about my God. Always. I want to, but I am unable to. I fall miserably again, yet again. Creating wounds and scars around me and in me. Scars that are difficult to heal. Still my selfishness I pursue. The old man forces me. Though I need not listen to his voice. And...

Rom:6:14. Sin shall not be master over you. That is freedom from slavery. That sin cannot reign over you. No forcing. No consequences. No condemnation. No eternal death. This is what happened on the cross. A deliverance which we could not have gained by ourselves. Only by Grace. Image courtesy; https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/teddy-bear-crushed-by-a-heavy-old-military-boot-gm535939601-57383794

Rom:5 Through one man sin entered the world.  Through one man's transgression, many died - the spiritual death. Through one man's disobedience, all who came from his loins, his posterity all became sinners. Not by act, but by inherent nature. The tendency to sin and rebel against God. Though one man death reigned in all. Through one transgression, there resulted condemnation to all men. But through one man, grace abounded. Through one man the gift of righteousness will reign in life. Through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. Through obedience of the one, many will be made righteous. The story of mankind is this. One act of disobedience, resulted in man's inherent nature of sinfulness. One act of obedience resulted in righteousness to all who believe. Sinful nature imputed through inheritance. Righteousness imputed through faith by Grace. It is by Grace you have been saved through faith. Image credit: https://www.istockphot...

Rom:5:11 And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. Reconciled with God. Rom:5:10. For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son. We were enemies. Not destined to come into His presence. Destined to eternal hell far from Him. Destined to punishment for eternity. But now reconciled - by the death of His Son. Not by our goodness or repentance. But by the sacrificial death of the spotless Lamb. It was His intiative, when we never wanted or desired reconciliation. That is when He forgave something which He abhors and reconcile with us. He had all the right to punish us. But He chose to forgive. He chose to reinstate. What a loving God! We only received the reconciliation. Do nothing to reconcile but receive. What a loving God! Image courtesy: https://heartsoulmindstrengthsite.wordpress.com/2016/03/05/reconciled/

Rom:5:5 Because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts. This is why we should exult in tribulations. This is why we should be excited when we have to walk through difficult terrain. Because He has poured out His unending love to us. He is Almighty and He loves us to the end. What a superb combo. Then will He not do things for us? Will not all things He work for good? Logically speaking, this is beautiful to think. This is too good to be true. Therefore we can say. He is enough. If He is on my side, who can be against me? Then whom will I fear?  Even if He doesn't deliver, the way I had planned, it is perfectly fine as my character is being build up. Throughout the process I can trust Him. I can firmly believe that God is in control. Image courtesy: https://hbcharlesjr.com/resource-library/articles/my-cup-overflows/

Rom:5:3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations. Exultation means jubilation, triumphant exhilaration. Exult in tribulations with the same exultation as you exult in the hope of glory (v:2). With the same excitement. Our mentor Dr. Beena keeps saying this, and I had always been perplexed. "I'm excited" when she faces a challenging situation or  as she goes through a difficult terrain. She is excited to see how God is going to take her through. Sure of His deliverance, but super excited to know the path and the final outcome of it all. Because tribulations bring perseverance, perseverance brings proven character, and proven character brings hope. Jesus has promised one thing. In this world you will have much trouble. But the addendum is better. Be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.  Looking back, it is easier to be grateful to God for the tribulations we had to go through. But we are asked to be jubilated about the trials forward. Be...

Rom:5:1 Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God though our Lord Jesus Christ. Justification is a legal declaration - a one time event. Which happened, but which has continuing results. Yet it is not an ongoing process. Sanctification is a process. Justification is not just a once and for all declaration free of guilt. It is imputing Christ's righteousness upon you. Just as your sin has been imputed upon Christ. We were alienated from God, because of sin. That same sin Christ bore it upon Himself so that we can have access to God, based on His righteousness, not ours. Enemies of God we were. But now we have peace with God. Peace with God is an initial step of restored relation with God. Outcasts and rebels and abominations we were. But now we are friends with God. Overwhelmed by this thought. That God loved me while I was yet an enemy of His and He bought and brought me back. Image credit: https://www.pickpik.com/moon-age-man-person-bank-sit-6123...

Rom:4:22 Therefore it was also credited to him as righteousness. Till now we were talking about the saving faith of Abram, which is credited to him as righteousness. Now Paul talks about faith in the promise of God. That also was credited to him as righteousness. So faith is progressive and increasing in Abram's case. First the saving faith, and then faith in his daily challenges. Yet faith is not about the promise. But the promise maker. The promise keeper. Because that promise came from the One and only faithful and true God, it is trustworthy. While claiming a promise, you give importance to the promise perse. Not the person who gave it. What Abram believed is that God said something, therefore I am sure it will happen. When you read the Word of God and as you receive a personal promise, see it as God communicating to you. And because it came from God, it is sure to fulfill. But even if He doesn't communicate beforehand, we are sure of Rom:8:28, Jer:29:11 and Is...

Rom:4:7-8 Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven. And whose sins have been covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account. Quoted from Psalm 32. Written by King David. Immediately after being caught redhanded after the adultery with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah. David realised he has failed. He recognized that there is utter absence of his personal merit. He sighs inwardly to begin with, if at all God would cover my sin, how blessed I would be. He acknowledged the enormity of his sin, but it is also true that the imputed righteousness is even bigger. The compassionate love of his God is even greater. There is no sin dark enough. That God can't save you. There is no pit deep enough that God can't reach out to you. All you need to do is to just look back to Him helpless. If David would be forgiven. If Peter would be forgiven. If Paul would be forgiven. There is hope for you too, dear one. May be you would have done a more ...

Rom:4:3 Abraham believed God and it was credited as righteousness. Justified by faith. Not by works. Faith is the only thing that clears you. Rom:4:4-5. Now to the one who works his wage is not credited as a favour, but as what is due. But to the one who believed in Him, who justified the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness. This is called grace. Image credit: https://www.vietnam.vn/en/credit-card-la-gi

Rom:3:28 A man is justified by faith. All have sinned. We all stand guilty, before the righteous and holy God.  But through faith in Jesus Christ, we stand justified.  Just as if I never sinned. Not by my good works. But by faith alone. Doctrine of sin is pretty heavy. But the doctrine of justification is so releasing. Not by any of my good deeds. But through faith alone. In Jesus Christ alone. So it is not something which you can gain. The Father has seen you, has declared you righteous with the righteousness of Jesus the Son, through your faith in Jesus.  It is very simple. The 'but' in v:21 is probably the biggest and the most significant in the universe.  But now apart from the Law, the righteousness of God has been manifested..... through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. God has already done it. There is nothing you could do more to be more justified. There is nothing you could do less. Because of His love to you, He has declared your accou...

Rom:3:9. All under sin. Under sin. Yoke of sin. Slaves to sin. We were under sin. Not able to come out of it. Being forced to do only sin. Our only option was to sin. Helpless, grappling in the darkness. Rom:3:23. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Unless we realise this helpless state of ours, we will not recognise, from where we have been saved. Unless we realise this helpless estate, we will not completely depend on Him, for a life designed for us. Only then will we recognize that Christ our Redeemer is our only hope. His pure and blameless blood is our only hope.  We cannot gain salvation by obeying the Law. For we cannot obey it fully. God looks at our heart's motive. And the Bible says the heart is the most deceitful of them all. The Bible also says, if you have faultered in one of the Law, it is equivalent to breaking them all. We have to understand it in God's perspective. The only hope is in Jesus, the Son of God who came to earth to die ...

Rom:2:29 But He is a Jew who is one inwardly and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter and his praise is not from men, but from God. God looks inwardly. He looks at the attitude of the heart precisely. Outward traditions, piety, customs, meaningless long prayers, empty words weigh less as compared to a genuine desire to cling close to God. The tax collector went back justified in comparison to the teacher of the law. Your good deeds, your activities or ministry will not take you anywhere. All your righteous deeds are like filthy rags before God. He looks into the heart for genuinety. Jesus commended the acknowledgement, 'help my unbelief'. As he admitted he has little faith, Jesus appreciated and acted on his behalf. Genuinety and openness of your plight to Him, He values more than any great deed you do. Lord, I am helpless. Lord I have very little faith. Lord I am broken. Help me. I need you. Image courtesy: https://reformedpe...

Kindness of God leads you to repentance. Rom:2:4 It is God's kindness that leads us to repentance and reinstation with God. Because of the fall, all of mankind is marred and inclined naturally to sin. Even the holiest and the saintliest person is sinful. All have sinned. And man's natural tendency is to follow this fallen path. And it is God's grace to pick us out of this rut and enable us to repentance. That looks an off route which only few take ( though it's the right path to take). It is grace that equips you to do that. It is the Lord's doing. I am grateful to God that He opened my eyes once and for all to the gospel, to Jesus  to repent and turn away from my filthy way. I am grateful to the Holy Spirit; who nudges me; convicts me day by day and pushes me back in track, to the Father in repentance and reinstation. It is not because I am a good boy, that I am sanctified and that I am being sanctified. God has been gracious to me. What about you dear ...

Rom:1:24 God gave them over. This is the worst punishment possible. To the consequence of sin. You are free to "indulge" in sin, without His loving restraint and ultimately face the punishment. Man created in the image of God destined to be with Him, left to be eternally separated from Him. When man had the option to believe in God, through the creation around and in his conscience he knew, still He chose to believe against God. He thought it was wise to say there is no God, or He substituted Him with an image. But it was utter foolishness. God allowed, He permitted. He let. But with its consequences. Personally speaking, when the Holy Spirit convicts you, repent and come back to Him. Do not harden your heart. God is merciful to forgive. If not, if we keep persisting in our adamancy, He will let us go (God forbid). No justifying. No excuses. Just absolute repentance seeking forgiveness. That is the key to a renewed relationship with your creator God, who is your F...

Rom:1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith. Gospel. Righteousness of God. Faith. A trio of intertwined words.  God's righteousness revealed to man, through the gospel, and man approximates it through faith. His righteousness is ours if we believe. Absolute complete faith. But still, we are already made righteous. And because this righteousness is given to us and we approximate it with faith, the promise is 'The righteous shall live by faith'. By faith you are made righteous. And also the righteous shall live by faith. Already made righteous. But faith makes you righteous. Not 'more righteous'. You cannot be more righteous, for it is God's righteousness that has been given. It is only by faith you are saved.  It is only by faith you are made righteous. It is only by faith that you are being made righteous. Image courtesy: https://in.pinterest.com/pin/614882155412354476/

Rom:1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel. You are ashamed of something when either that particular thing doesn't have any inherent value or when you don't value it. Something which you consider precious, infact you will project, you will highlight, rather than ashamedly you will try to hide. How do you present the good News of Salvation to others. Or making yourself known to others and a passionate lover of Jesus, depends on how much you give value to Him. It is not that He doesn't have value, but how much you value Him in your life. He considered you as the most valuable prized possession. You are His signet ring. But here we are worse than Judas who betrayed Him for thirty silver coins. We betray Him for acquaintances and applause. Priceless possession is being prized low. Really low. Let people know that you are a serious lover of Jesus. Use all means to proclaim boldly that you have been redeemed,  y the one who is passionately in love with you. Let us no...

Yesterday, after the India vs Australia ICC WWC semifinal, these words hung in the air after the player of the match Jemimah Rodrigues was given the stage. Your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world. Rom:1:8 A church which was not even started by Paul. Paul wouldn't probably have known these people personally.  But he commends their faith. You want to be a silent Christian because you are not a bold Christian. Do your colleagues know that you are a Christian? Not by name. Is there a difference between you and the nominal Christian? Between you and the carnal Christian? Do you freely proclaim that the author and finisher of your faith is Jesus?  Image credit: https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/womens-world-cup-2025-cried-every-single-day-went-through-anxiety-jemimah-rodrigues-opens-up-after-historic-knock-against-australia/?amp=1

Rom:1:7 Beloved of God. Rebel as I am. Enemy of God was I. Given an option, I would do things which God hates. Or else I would find ways. Unloveable as I am, incorrigible as I am. There is nothing good in me. Still He chose to love me. I am the Lord's beloved. He cherishes me. He allures me to Himself. He chose me. My destiny is He. He has kept me in His bosom. What is there in me, that you have found, that you are mindful of me? Your mind is full of me. You are mine and I am yours, He exclaims. Yes nothing can separate me now from the love of God. Oh! Wretched as I am, poor, naked and blind. Still He loves me. Dirty, filthy. The purest of the purest has loved me first. He who knew no sin, became sin for me, the very things He hates, He abhors - He became. Because of His unending, limitless love for me. Why Lord? I cannot comprehend. I cannot fathom. Image credit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-silhouette-of-a-father-carrying-his-child-6488427/

Acts 28 As Paul arrives in Rome, where he is expected to be trialled and executed, he doesn't waste time. He calls to the local leaders and discussed with them about the Good News. No time to rest. Lord give me such a passion to take every opportunity to share about you. Give me such love for you. Give me such love for others who are perishing in their own sin. Why is my heart not aching seeing this? Help me to do things tirelessly for you. Make every opportunity to teach the Word, to your children. To people around you. Tell them about the standards of this holy God. Tell them about the endless love of the Father, the impeccable obedience of the Son and never ending presence of the Spirit. The goodness of the Triune God. The uniqueness of this Almighty. An everpresent help in trouble. You cannot sit idly. Lord fill me with your passion, an unending desire to share about you always. Image courtesy: https://medium.com/personal-growth/this-is-what-hard-work-is-and-why-it-...

Acts 27:22 None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. The confidence Paul has in his God. The intimacy. The surity of His revelation. Not just about him. Also about his fellow crew. The ship. Their destiny. How can I know God like this? How can I be sure of His hand in my life and those in connection with me? The confidence is directly proportional to the time I spend with Him. Idling away in phone when you get a moment out, hanging out with your best buddies? Or when I get a moment, do I rush to the Word?  Nabeel Quereshi, a Muslim who later got converted to Christ, got his first exposure to real Christianity, when he saw his closest friend David Wood, reading the Bible in his free time. He was shocked and amazed seeing this. A devout Islam (then) was awestruck and challenged by this discipline. What do I do with little time I get in between work?  What do my innocent children see me do when I want to relax? What standards I have kept in ...