Reflecting the Image (by Carla Sunberg)

An old Roman theater in the center of Catania. Throughout the ruins of the Roman Empire we find the influence of many nations. The Gospel was for all.  Scripture: Rom. 9:19     You will say to me then, “Why then does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” 20 But who indeed are you, a human being, to argue with God? Will what is molded say to the one who molds it, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one object for special use and another for ordinary use? 22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience the objects of wrath that are made for destruction; 23 and what if he has done so in order to make known the riches of his glory for the objects of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— 24 including us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? 25 As indeed he says in Hosea, “Those wh...

The Church of the Nazarene in Versailles.  Scripture: Rom. 9:14     What then are we to say? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God who shows mercy. 17 For the scripture says to Pharaoh, “I have raised you up for the very purpose of showing my power in you, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he chooses, and he hardens the heart of whomever he chooses. Observation: For those of us in the Wesleyan/Arminian world, this passage can be a bit of a challenge, but it is not the only place where Paul talks about these kinds of divine purposes. He will go on in other passages to talk about the free will of humanity. Overall, we can wrap our arms around the fact that Paul wants us to understand that “God has determined to...

Humanitarian aid through NCM in Armenia will be distributed to the new refugees.  Scripture: Rom. 9:1     I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit— 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; 5 to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen. Observation: As Paul wrote to the church in Rome, he was in anguish over God’s people. His words echo those of Jeremiah: Jer. 4:19    My anguish, my anguish! I writhe in pain! Oh, the walls of my heart! My heart is beating wildly; I cannot keep silent; for I hear the sound ...

Recently I was in Kolkata, India. A group of us went to  visit the grave of Ralph Blackman, a Nazarene  missionary who died of small pox, nearly 100 years ago. His grandson, Franklin Cook would go on to lead the Eurasia Region years later.  I believe this missionary knew that nothing could separate him from the  love of Christ.  Scripture: Rom. 8:31     What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? 33 Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. a   35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your s...

Had a layover in Manchester and HAD to spend the day with these two!  Scripture: Rom. 8:28   We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family.  30 And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. Observation: Paul begins this phrase so emphatically — “We know!” This is a man who has been through struggle after struggle, and yet, he has the confidence to believe that there is a divine purpose for everything and everyone whom he has encountered in life. And that’s the point isn’t it — it’s a divine purpose. The ways of God are much higher than the ways of humankind, and this is an invitation to reflect upon the ways of God. This life that we live in the flesh i...