We often heard such negative
comments about the God of the Bible; “He is very strict...” “He is very
serious...” “He is always angry and ready to display wrath...” Is this really the God of
the Bible?
Now let me bring you on a tour through the City of Rome to discover
a “God of Roman-ce” in the Book of Romans...
1.
God shows me the Law (Rom. 1:18-32) - God Loves me
The “God of Roman-ce” loves me and show me the Law, the Law of nature.
Therefore, though I am Oriental, I am not without Law. Apart from the Law of
Nature, He place in my heart “the Law of Conscience”, that I may know the
difference between good and evil. Conscience; a natural desire for good over
evil. This Law of Nature reveals God’s creative power and His providence to
life on earth, showing His love for the human race. Martin Luther said, “man by
omitting that which is good leads to committing that which is evil” does man
violates the Law.
2.
God gives me Grace (Rom. 5) - God Loves me
God through his love gave the Jews the Law of Moses, and the world the
Law of Nature, but everyone still fail to respond to His love. Though man cannot
live up to God’s law, God did not stop romancing man. He gives man grace, so
man can fulfil His law. “The Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came
through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17). Man only need to believe and accept God’s grace; Christ
the fulfillment of God’s law.
3. God adopts and predestines me to be like His Son (Rom. 8) - God Loves me
This Romantic God did not just give grace to me, but He sealed this love
with His Spirit. God did not just show me the Law; He gives me His grace to
fulfil the Law; and He confirms his love by adopting me as His son. The destination
of adoption is my transformation into the image of Christ. This is the
believer’s predestination, “to be conformed to the likeness of his Son” (Rom.
8:29). I have a new status now, I am a son of God.
4.
God transforms me to Love (Rom. 12 - 13) - God Loves me
Those who believed are predestined into the likeness of Christ to
demonstrate God’s love to the rest of the world. Romans 12 show me that I need
to be transform. Rom. 12:2 “do not conform” or do not submit; “but be
transformed” – God is doing the transforming. I am not doing the
transformation, God does. The final outcome of my transformation is the image
of Christ – my predestination. Rom. 13:10
says, “Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of
the law.” Thus, God's purpose is to have many sons in the likeness of Christ, demonstrating His love to the rest of the world.
Now at the end of
our tour of Rome; I hope you have discovered the "God of Roman-ce" and His plan for the human
race. Demonstrating his love (law); mercy (grace); kindness (adoption and predestination) and perseverance (transformation) in reaching out
to the ordinary man. This is the God in the book of Romans, a God of Roman-ce.
Your tour-guide: Francis Ng
Note: All Bible quotations are from the NIV.
----- The End -----
Well expressed Bro! Thank you for being the tour guide making seemingly diffcult journey an enlightend one! :) md
ReplyDeleteYes indeed we have a God who loves us. He gives us law that we may walk the right way, but when we can’t He gave us His grace and truth through Jesus Christ. He ensures that we have the Holy Spirit to help and transform us to be the person He wants us to be. Amen!
ReplyDeleteHi Francis, yes I agree with you that God's love is expressed through different forms and ways. We wont be able to grasp it at times but He truly is a God of love who in turn desires us to love as well. Thanks for the sharing!
ReplyDelete"This Romantic God did not just give grace to me, but He sealed this love with His Spirit. God did not just show me the Law; He gives me His grace to fulfil the Law; and He confirms his love by adopting me as His son." ~ I agree with Myung Duk! I like the way you express this concept, simple and clear. God loves me very much! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tour Guide Francis, a wonderful reminder of how much God loves us....Let us never forget no matter what happens..Be blessed!
ReplyDeleteTransformation to Jesus likeness, that is our calling to be more like Him as God develops us through His love.
ReplyDelete