Entrusted with the Pattern of Teaching

 

House of Sealtiel: 2nd Floor Facade Finishing
October 25, 2024

Pavilion of Raphael: Design
October 25, 2020

But thanks be to God that, 

although you were once slaves of sin, 

you have become obedient from the heart 

to the pattern of teaching 

to which you were entrusted.

(Romans 6:17)

Jesus said, “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more. (Lk 12:48) Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. Truly, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property.” (Lk 12:42-44)

Sin must not reign over your mortal bodies so that you obey their desires. And do not present the parts of your bodies to sin as weapons for wickedness but present yourselves to God as raised from the dead to life and the parts of your bodies to God as weapons for righteousness. (Rom 6:12-13)

For sin is not to have any power over you, since you are not under the law but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? Of course not! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? (Rom 6:14-16)

But thanks be to God that, although you were once slaves of sin, you have become obedient from the heart to the pattern of teaching to which you were entrusted. Freed from sin, you have become slaves of righteousness. (Rom 6:17-18)

Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth (Ps 124:8). Blessed be the Lord, who did not leave us a prey to their teeth! (Ps 124:6)

We were rescued like a bird from the fowlers’ snare; broken was the snare, and we were freed (Ps 124:7). Had not the Lord been with us, let Israel say, had not the Lord been with us when men rose up against us, then would they have swallowed us alive. When their fury was inflamed against us. Then would the waters have overwhelmed us; the torrent would have swept over us; over us then would have swept the raging waters. (Ps 124:1-5)

Published:

October 25, 2023, 7:55 AM

Grace Overflowed

 

House of Sealtiel: 2nd Floor Painting Works
October 24, 2024

Pavilion of Raphael: Construction
October 24, 2021

Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more, 

so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign 

through justification for eternal life 

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

ROMANS 5:20-21

Through one man sin entered the world, and through sin, death, and thus death came to all men, inasmuch as all (Rom 5:12). If by that one person’s transgression the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ overflow for the many (Rom 5:15). 

Jesus said to his disciples: “Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants.” (Lk 12:35-38)

For if, by the transgression of one, death came to reign through that one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of justification come to reign in life through the one Jesus Christ (Rom 5:17). 

In conclusion, just as through one transgression condemnation came upon all, so through one righteous act acquittal and life came to all. For just as through the disobedience of one man the many were made sinners, so through the obedience of one the many will be made righteous. (Rom 5:18-19)

Sacrifice or oblation You wished not, but ears open to obedience You gave me. Burnt offerings or sin-offerings You sought not; then said I, “Behold I come.” “In the written scroll it is prescribed for me, to do Your will, O my God, is my delight, and Your law is within my heart!” I announced Your justice in the vast assembly; I did not restrain my lips, as you, O Lord, know. (Ps 40:7-10)

May all who seek You exult and be glad in You, and may those who love Your salvation say ever, “The Lord be glorified.” (Ps 40:17)

Published:

October 24, 2023. 7:20 AM

Rich in what matters to God

 

House of Sealtiel: Second Floor Facade Finishing
October 23, 2024

House of Sealtiel: Construction
October 23, 2019

"Thus will it be for the one 

who stores up treasure for himself 

but is not rich in what matters to God." 

LUKE 12:21

This was the oath He swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hands of our enemies, free to worship Him without fear, holy and righteous in His sight all the days our life. (Lk 1:73-75)

Jesus said, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions (Lk 12:15). You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?”  (Lk 12:20)

The LORD makes poor and rich; He brings low, He also exalts (1 Sm 2:7). Who shows no partiality to princes nor regards the rich above the poor, for they all are the work of His hands (Job 34:19). But they, in their own kingdom, with Your great goodness which You gave them, with the broad and rich land which You set before them, did not serve You or turn from their evil deeds. (Neh 9:35)

A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished (Prv 28:20). Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is crooked though he be rich (Prv 28:6). The rich man is wise in his own eyes, but the poor who has understanding sees through him (Prv 28:11).

He has come to His people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the house of his servant David. Through His holy prophets He promised of old that He would save us from our enemies, from the hand of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant. (Lk 1:68-72)

Abraham did not doubt God’s promise in unbelief; rather, he was empowered by faith and gave glory to God and was fully convinced that what God had promised he was also able to do. That is why it was credited to him as righteousness. But it was not for him alone that it was written that it was credited to him; it was also for us, to whom it will be credited, who believe in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was handed over for our transgressions and was raised for our justification. (Rom 4:20-25)

Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches" (Jer 9:23).

Published:

October 23, 2023, 7:44 AM