11/01
Now a righteousness of God has been revealed apart from Law, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets; even the righteousness of God through the faith of Jesus Christ... For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus Romans 3:21-24
Paradox of Faith
Paradox of faith is a great and grand truth. One can be justified not by works, and even not by the result of faith, but by faith as such. No amount of works accomplished can justify a person before God. Though I make not a single convert, and feed not a single beggar in my life, if I have faith, then my justification is assured, and I am safe. And faith gives me peace, and peace gives me strength; and though I rely not upon works, something of eternal value comes out of my life. It is a paradox of faith: despising works, works come by themselves. It is a refutation of all systems of salvation by works, of Roman Catholicism, and of modern American Christianity.
11/02
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and without Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the light of humans. John 1: 1-4
Spirit of Universe
Sacrifice is the Spirit of the Universe. Jesus Christ is the most perfect manifestation of this spirit. The Bible says, "God created all things by Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 3: 9). That is, God created the Universe according to the norm of Christ. For one who knows Christ knows God; one who understands the Cross understands the Universe. Thus we understand the Universe through following after Christ and working the life of sacrifice.
11/03
For in Christ dwells all the fullness of the divine bodily. And you are complete in Him, who is the Head of all principality and power Colossians 2: 9-10
Jesus Christ
The essence of Christianity is faith; and, according to Paul, it is Christ. To learn Christianity, therefore, we have no need to go to Oxford or Harvard. Neither have we to ask of the Pope of Rome or the archbishop of Canterbury. Paul says: "Christ Jesus, who is of God is made to us of wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption" (1 Corinthians 1:30). The theology of the faithful is Jesus. Their baptism is Jesus. Their perfection is Jesus. Yea, Jesus Christ is all. Christianity is not the church, not the bishop, not the presbyter, nor theology and dogma. We can simply believe in Jesus and can at once reach the kernel of Christianity.
11/04
Jesus said to them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. . . And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even to the last; and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said to her, Woman, where are those your accusers? Has no man condemned You? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said to her, Neither do I condemn You; go, and sin no more. John 8: 7-11
Morality
Moral is relative. We have to put ourselves in his or her position when we lead a person to morality. Not by command but by example, we have to help him or her realize divine rules according to and within his or her capacity. Never should we sit high, like the Pharisees, and give forth commands. But, lowering ourselves, keeping ourselves in the position of the person, taking his or her hands and carrying his or her feet, we should guide him or her to the ideal. This in fact is the way our Saviour Jesus Christ conducted. He taught the Samaritan woman, not by admonishing her immoral conduct and forcing upon her anything beyond her power. He guided her to the spring of real life according to her capability. Jesus was the greatest moralist. He erred not in teaching morality according to humans. Morality is a way from the lower to the higher. To maintain this, a fatherly dignity and a motherly tenderness must be needed. We should not take morality as a strict and relentless command alone of the father.
11/05
Be not conformed to this world; but be transformed by the renewing of your heart, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12: 2
Revolution from Within
Revolution must begin within one's self. Though tons of liquid may be absorbing crystalline matter, solidification cannot start unless a solid matter is thrown in the liquid. Commanding cannot force water to solidify. Scolding has no avail. Let me first be the foundation of solidification. Crystallization will then start from myself. Let me stand firm upon the cornerstone of the universe. All others will then come around me gradually to get orientated in line with me. This indeed is the great secret of successful innovation.
11/06
I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was no one to uphold; therefore My own arm has saved for Me; and My fury upheld Me. Isaiah 63: 5
Stand Alone
We need not to belong a church at all to serve Christ. We by alone can devote ourselves for Christ. Christ is the lord of redemption for everyone. We are one of the redeemed. We by alone can hold the light in the world since we receive Christ in our heart. We can stand alone on the steep rock and become the light of ship guard in the darkness. Further standing alone we can comfort other solitary persons, who are not rare in the world. There are many persons who weep and sorrow for their unbearable solitariness. Therefore it is an important work to inform them the blessing and holiness of a solitary person. Being alone we become a guider for millions of the solitary person in the world
11/07
You must not be called Rabbi, for One is your teacher, Christ, and you are all brothers. And call no one your father on the earth, for One is your Father in Heaven. Nor be called teachers, for One is your Teacher, even Christ. But one who is greatest among you shall be your servant. Matthew 23: 8-1
Renounce Pretension
Renounce the pretension of dignity. Let us be as we are. Vain honors and titles lead to mistrust, devoid of confidence. Real independent cannot be achieved by the pretension. Renewal cannot be accomplished by first showing off false power and then trying to grasp real power. False dignity cannot exceed real power. Name does not represent reality. Enervation and corruption come mainly from the pretension of dignity, borrowing a nominal title of authority. We are the weakest when in false power we make a bluff. Outward destruction will not threat us for what has to fall should fall. A firm house can only stand on a solid rock.
11/08
Be enriched in everything to all generosity, which works out thanksgiving to God through us. For this service not only supplies the things lacking of the saints, but also multiplying through many thanksgivings to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11-12
Bountiful with Rejoice
Be thoroughly bountiful with God's mercy, to the fullness of joy and gratitude, and have permeated with the same joy to the world. For this world is full of cries of dissatisfaction and groans of disappointment. Voices of praise of God's people offset these cries and groans. Who would rejoice, without our rejoicing? As is written, "Praise is comely for the upright" (Psalms 33:1). Remember that responsibility rests on us to turn this native soil of ours as well as the whole world to God-praise-ward. Rejoicing and thanksgiving make the keynote of Christianity. Thanksgiving penetrates through Christian life. Thanks for good; thanks for evil. The greatest thanks of human life are that God be with us. "You possess God. What else is needed?"
11/09
Jesus took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave to them... And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave to them; and they all drank of it. Mark 14:22-23
Thanksgiving of Daily Bread
All bread is the gift of God. We receive it with thanks for we ourselves have not earned it. Here lies the grace of a Christian meal. While in the world, Christ also did not take meals without thanksgiving beforehand. Rembrandt illustrated a young carpenter in working clothes, standing beside his parents, in front of a simple table bearing a few loaves of bread, with eyes turned heavenward. This means Christ's thanksgiving before His meals. Christians should take their meals with thanksgiving because it is the manna from Heaven (John 6:31). We are grateful when we pray "Give us today our daily bread." (Matthew 6:11). Thanksgiving is an expression of faith. Lack of thanksgiving is the lack of faith. Give thanks to God for His mercies.
Pre
Up
Next