"You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops." (2Tim. 2:1-6 ESV)
In a gathering hosted by the Christian Evangelical Ministerial Fellowship (CEMF) in celebration of the National Bible Week, Dagupan City Administrator Vlad Mata urged the churches to approach the civil authorities and offer their help in nation-building. That's a very good idea. We become productive citizens of our community and at the same time, we get opportunities to share the gospel of Christ. One such project is CEMF's cooperation with the City PopCom office in conducting mass weddings and marriage counseling. Hopefully through it, the couples will learn about strong marriages and responsible parenthood. And most of all, may they know Jesus as Lord and Savior as participating churches reach out to them.
We should cooperate with the leaders of our community while we are still welcome. Let me repeat that phrase: "while we are still welcome". There's an element of uncertainty in our times. Now we are still counted by the government as partners in nation-building but it may not always stay this way. There may come a time when we will offer our helping hand to our nation's leaders and they will tell us: "You have no part in nation-building unless renounce your gospel."
There was a time when our brothers in America were very much a part of nation-building in that part of the world. Billy Graham, then the icon of evangelicalism was present in at least 10 presidential inaugurations. Though there has always been opposition to the gospel in the government and everywhere, at least Christians then were free to speak their minds and were recognized by the government as partners in the development of the nation.
Something radical has changed in just four years. Barrack Obama has been reelected and the first person who was invited to lead the opening prayer in this 2nd inaugural is Louie Giglio, pastor of Passion City Church in Atlanta. But some opposed the invitation. For what reason? Because Pastor Giglio preached a biblical message on homosexuality almost 20 years ago. Pastor Giglio is not even the most vocal preacher against homosexuality. By his own admission, he did not prioritize this issue for the past 15 years.
Because of the pressure applied against him, he withdrew from participating in the inaugural ceremonies. But even without withdrawing, he will be disinvited anyway. That is clear from the statement issued by the Presidential Inaugural Committee:
“We were not aware of Pastor Giglio’s past comments at the time of his selection, and they don’t reflect our desire to celebrate the strength and diversity of our country at this inaugural. Pastor Giglio was asked to deliver the benediction in large part because of his leadership in combating human trafficking around the world. As we now work to select someone to deliver the benediction, we will ensure their beliefs reflect this administration’s vision of inclusion and acceptance for all Americans.”
There you have it! Everyone who opposes this Administration's agenda can't be a partner in nation-building. By this standard, even Rick Warren who led the prayer in Obama's first inaugural is now unwelcome.
The present is therefore a tough time for our Christian brothers in America. Yet the church had been in tougher times before. In Timothy's time, faithful gospel ministers were not only excluded from participation in nation-building; they were arrested, imprisoned and sometimes executed. In fact, his mentor in the faith was one of those in prison. With no modern postal system, it is possible that by the time Timothy were reading this letter, Paul's already dead.
The time was so tough that Paul reports: "At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them." (2Tim. 4:16)
There are indications that due to the toughness of times, Timothy's faith was severely weakened. He had neglected his gift (2 Tim. 1:6) and Paul needed to remind him that they did not received a spirit of fear. Furthermore, Paul saw the need to exhort him to "be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus" (2:1 ESV). The passive voice is noteworthy here. Though Paul is issuing a command that Timothy should obey, it will not be Timothy strengthening himself. The strengthening is by God's grace found in Jesus.
Without grace we would all be weaklings in tough times. As weaklings, we have this tendency to either deny the faith or dilute it so we could avoid the hardships that accompany faithfulness. Without God's grace, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego would have had feared the burning furnace and would have had bowed down before the grand idol. Without God's grace, Daniel would have had abstained from praying to the true God for 30 days in fear of the lions. Daniel and his friends were strong in tough times not because of any inherent strength in them but because they sought strength in God's grace.
In order to encourage the younger pastor, Paul used three metaphors of strength: 1. a devoted Soldier 2. a rule-abiding Athlete 3. a hardworking Farmer
To these metaphors we shall turn in the succeeding posts.
This is a slightly edited version of the sermon I delivered at GLCC Dagupan (December 30, 2012)
Hapon ng Disyembre 29, 1896, isang araw bago kitilin ng mga dayuhang awtoridad ang buhay ni Dr. Jose Rizal, dinalaw siya ng kanyang ina, ilang mga kapatid, at ilang mga pamangkin sa Fort Santiago. Sa kanilang pag-uwi, ipinadala ni Rizal ang kanyang cocinilla. May ibinulong si Rizal kay Trinidad: "There is something inside". Maaaring sinadya niyang gumamit ng salitang Ingles upang hindi maintindihan ng mga guwardiya; kung naintindihan nila, malamang kinumpiska nila ang cocinilla. Pag-uwi nila sa bahay, hindi nila agad binuksan ang cocinilla pangambang minamanmanan pa rin sila ng mga kaaway. Petsa 31 na nang ito ay kanilang buksan. Natagpuan nila ang kapirasong papel; nang ito ay kanilang binasa, sila ay napaluha. Naroon ang isang napakaganda at makabagbag-damdaming tula. Bagamat hindi ito pinamagatan ni Rizal, ang tulang ito ay kilala natin ngayon bilang "Mi Ultimo Adios".
Sa tingin ko, kung alam mong malapit ka nang pumanaw, doon nananariwa sa iyong puso at alaala ang mga bagay-bagay na mahalaga sa iyo. Konti na lang ang panahon mo kaya isinasantabi mo na lang mga mga bagay na di naman mahalaga, at inilalaan mo na lang ang nalalabing oras at lakas sa mga bagay na malapit sa iyong puso. 'Yan ang dahilan kung bakit naisulat ni Rizal sa isang paraang nakakaantig-puso ang kanyang huling paalam.
Hawak natin ngayon ang huling sulat ni Pablo. Ang 2 Timoteo ay isinulat niya ilang araw o ilang linggo bago siya patawan ng parusang kamatayan ng mga awtoridad. At nang isulat niya ito, batid niya na malapit na ang kanyang pagpanaw (2 Tim. 4:6). Subalit hindi kalungkutan ang laman ng kanyang huling liham; sa halip ito ay isinulat ng isang tao na sa tingin niya ay hindi nasayang ang kanyang buhay. Hindi man siya ituturing na matagumpay ng mga kapwa niya Pariseo, sa kanyang sariling ebalwasyan ay matagumpay ang kanyang pananatili dito sa ibabaw ng lupa. Wika niya, "I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7)
Ang kanyang alalahanin sa kanyang pagsulat ay kung paano niya bibigyan ng lakas at pag-asa ang isang mas batang pastor na dinisipulo niya. May indikasyon na nanghina ng loob nitong si Timoteo (2 Tim. 1:6-7). Pero bagamat gusto niyang palakasin ang loob ng kanyang disipulo, ayaw rin naman niyang itago ang katotohanan na mahirap ang mga panahong darating. Ipinagtapat ni Pablo kay Timoteo na ang paglaban ng sanlibutan kontra sa mensahe ng Panginoon ay hindi isang pansamantalang kondisyon, kundi isan permanenteng kalagayan mula sa kanilang kapanahunan hanggang sa pababalik ng Panginoon. Patuloy na mamahalin ng sanlibutan ang kasalanan at patuloy nilang kamumuhian ang katotohanan. Ito ang nasusulat sa 2 Tim. 3:1-4: "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God." (NIV 1984)
Ang pananaw ng marami ay ganito: “Man
is inherently good”. Hindi nila nauunawaan ang lalim ng ugat ng
kasamaan ng tao. Kaya naman ang kanilang mga mungkahi upang malutas
ang problema ng kasamaan sa mundo ay mababaw. Sabi nila, basta
magsama-sama lang daw tayo sa isang burol at umawit ng I'd Like to
Teach the World to Sing, magkakaroon na ng kapayapaan. Subalit
pagkatapos ng mga peace talks at habang sariwa pa ang tinta ng mga
lagda sa peace treaties, makakarinig ulit tayo ng mga balitang
kagimbal-gimbal.
Paliwanag ni D.A. Carson:
"What is astonishing is that after the bloody century we have just come through, so many people think that if we simply sit around a table and talk we will sort it all out. Th is attitude is astonishingly naïve. Christians should never, ever, be surprised by evil. While we should always be horrified by evil, we should never be surprised by it. Do not adopt a Pollyannaish view of things. Do not be surprised by evil. Hold few illusions about the world. Th ere are many times we should be horrified – surprised, never."
1
Sa talata 5, mababasa natin na ang ilan sa kanila ay mga relihiyosong tayo pa, subalit ang kapangyarihan ng ebanghelyo na bumago ng buhay ay hindi nakikita sa kanila. Ang bilin ni Pablo kay Timoteo, huwag siyang maugnay sa kanila.
They are already present in Timothy's lifetime. So when we read “There will be terrible times in the last days” (3:1), we should not see it as having no application in Timothy's day. In this sense, the “last days” being spoken of here had already begun eversince Jesus' incarnation (Hebrews 1:1)
Included in this group of wicked men in the last days are false teachers who infiltrate the church of Jesus. The ones who are most vulnerable to them are those who a. lack biblical knowldge b. lack biblical morality (2 Tim. 3:6-7)
Praise God they will not remain unexposed (3:9) The last days audience will be resistant to truth and receptive to lies. What will be on demand are preachers who preach the things that will tickle the ears or depraved minds (2 Timothy 3:3-4). It's not the gospel selfish people want to hear; what they want to hear is that it is God's will for them to have a luxury car, so they will hire teachers who will tell them they need a luxury car
Sa mga panahong ito na ang kadiliman ang namamayani, paano mo palalakasin ang loob ng isang pastor na halos sumuko na? Ito ay ginawa ni Pablo sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay n tatlong habilin:
1. Alalahanin at tularan ang mga huwarang Kristiyano 2. Panghawakan ang Salita ng Diyos 3. Ipasa ang Salita ng Diyos sa iba
Unang Habilin: Alalahanin at Tularan ang mga Huwarang Kristiyano 2 Timothy 3:10-12 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings--what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted...”
After describing the ungodliness that will mark the last days, Paul points to an opposite example – namely Paul himself. Timothy heard apostolic teaching from Paul. Timothy observed Paul's pattern of daily living. Timothy knew Paul's motives for service. Timothy is a witness to Paul's faithfulness. Timothy saw how patient Paul was to difficult people. Timothy saw Paul's sincere love for God and men. Timothy witnessed Paul's endurance even in the most adverse conditions. Paul left the footprints and Timothy should follow them.
Paul especially mentioned about the persecutions and suffering he went through and says that it is not only for him, it is not only for Timothy, but for all who live godly lives. In looking for good mentors, consider how they view persecutions and suffering and how they react to them. Does he preach “It is NEVER God's will for you to suffer”? What will he say when he visits Paul in prison? Will he blame Paul and say: "It's your fault Paul! You are in prison because you did not have enough faith. You did not confess positive things. Follow this instruction Paul. Open your mouth wide and shout: I DECLARE I WILL BE RELEASED FROM PRISON". When that preacher lives by that principle, then he will not be a good mentor for you for he does not agree with verse 12. Paul's life was a contrast to the attitudes of the decaying society. Paul will be gone soon, but these memories will linger in Timothy's thoughts and it will motivate him to be faithful in life and ministry.
John Macarthur remarked: "Often more than we realize, we are influenced by those we have lived with, worked with, and served with. Sometimes the influence is for good, sometimes for bad."2
May isang TV infomercial na noon ko pa napanood pero kumintal sa aking munting isipan ang mensahe nito. May dalawang bata ang naglalaro ng laruang kotse. Ipinagmamalaki ng isang bata kung gaano kabilis magmaneho ang kanyang tatay. Sabi pa niya "Paglaki ko, gagayahin kon tatay ko". Bigla na lang sumulpot ang isa pang bata dala-dala ang isang nakakabilang balita: “Ang tatay mo nabangga.”
Maaari tayong mabuhay bilang mga masama o mabuting mga halimbawa; piliin na lang natin maging mga mabuting halimbawa sa pamamagitan ng pagsunod sa halimbawa ng mga Kristiyanong mas mature sa atin.
D.A. Carson asked, “Do you ever say to a young Christian, ‘Do you want to know what Christianity is like? Watch me!’ If you never do, you are unbiblical. After all, the apostle Paul can write elsewhere, ‘Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ’ (1 Cor. 11:1). Many things are learned as much by example as by word." <sup>3</sup>
Pangalawang Habilin: Panghawakan ang Salita ng Diyos 2 Timothy 3:14-17 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
In an age of decadence, both in the society and in the church, the danger is for us to conclude, "If we can't beat them, let's join them". Paul's prescription so that the man of God will not fall into that trap is to remember the biblical convictions. Verse 14 serves as a transition between the first and second points. The godly mentors were only worthy of imitation because of what they have learned and become convinced of. Timothy's mother, grandmother, and Paul-- the godly influences in his life were all students of the Holy Scriptures and were convicted of its authority.
So Paul's instructs Timothy, if you don't want to fall into the degradation that is prevalent all around, remember the power of the Holy Scriptures. They are sufficient for:
1. Giving the knowledge of salvation; and 2. For directing us to a holy life. It informs us of pure doctrine. It reproves us of errors in doctrine and behavior. Should we stray, it restores us to the right path and it builds us up that we may live righteous lives.
What happens to a man exposed to the Sacred Scriptures? He becomes competent, equipped for every good work. How could the holy writings do that? It is because of it's divine origin. It is God-breathed (theopneustos).
Paul did not say: "I'm about to depart Tim! So that you will stay safe, make sure you are in company with Pope Peter and his successors. And when Peter dies, someone else will succeed him. Just stay close to the Pope Tim and you could never go wrong". Rather, Paul says "Hold on the the God-breathed Scripture", it will make you completely equipped for every good work. When there is a question regarding faith and morality, go to the sacred Scriptures. That is all you need. That sounds Sola Scriptura to me. Pangatlong Habilin: Ipasa ang Salita ng Diyos sa Iba 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.
So far, the first two points are on the defensive end. The world is decaying but we should not rot together with them. So let us: a. value godly mentors; and b. treasure the Bible.
These two are meant to protect and build us up. . The third point is on the offensive side. Kumbaga sa boksing, hindi naman puwede na panay ilag at salo lang tayo. Siyempre susuntok rin tayo.
This is about crossing enemy lines and rescuing at least some of those who are in the decaying society and even those who are already in the church yet are being influenced by the principles of the ungodly world.
Our offensive weapon is giving them the word of God (4:2). We should give them the word of God at all times, in every opportunity and in whatever circumstance. We should give messages fit for the need. If corretion is needed, offer a correction grounded on Scriptures. If rebuke is needed, then don't hesitate to rebuke if you are standing on the authority of God's Word. And if weary hearts need encouragement, strengthen them not by some empty pep talk but by the rich hope found in God's word. We should offer the Word of God with patience even to those who seemed to cover their ears everytime we speak. And all these we should do with precision in expositing the counsel of God.
Surely, many will reject are message, but some will respond positively. Faithfully proclaiming the message is tough in the last days, but some will believe. Out of that believing few, some will emerge as the future leaders of our church, future worship leaders, future musicians, future missionaries, future evangelists and bible teachers. For this the discipleship program that the apostle envisioned:
2 Timothy 2:2 -- "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. "
Step 1. Paul passes the baton to Timothy Step 2. Timothy is to pass the baton to reliable men Step 3. These reliable men will pass the baton to other reliable men.
Paul's program is not that we keep our treasure for our generation alone. His program is an unbroken chain of truth-lovers and truth-defenders.
Praise God for the ministry of John Macarthur, but Macarthur is now 73 years old. Praise God for the ministry of R.C. Sproul, but he is now 74. Obviously, they will not be with us forever just like James Boice who left us at the age of 61 and Martyn Lloyd-Jones at the age of 81.
This is one of the reasons why we should keep on giving the word of God. When Paul was near death, it was one of his concerns: so if we are to be imitators of Paul, this should be our concern too. Think beyond 2013. Think about GLCC Dagupan's distant future. For time flies so fast; I didn't even notice that the next year marks the end of my first decade at Guiding Light Dagupan. Some of you were here from the beginning and you too didn't notice how time flew so quickly.
You may say, “Pastor Jun is still young; there is no need to worry about the future of GLCC Dagupan”. Folks, Timothy was a young man when he was instructed to extend the chain. On a personal note, let me say this. I have to say this. I am younger than Pastor Jun. But because of my medical condition, most probably I will depart earlier than Pastor Jun. I am saying this to you younger guys, or even you older guys who are still expecting 20 to 30 years of productive life. You are this church's Generation Next. And the preparation for that is not later. It is now. It must be now. Let's get serious.
In order to fight a good fight, in order to finish the race, in order to keep the faith, these should be our priorities in the last days.
FOOTNOTES:
1. D.A. Carson, From the Resurrection to His Return (Christian Focus)
2. John Macarthur, Second Timothy, MNTC (Moody Publishers)
There is no such thing as a "good morning" without God's steadfast love and mercy for unworthy sinners (Lam.3:22-23). Good morning!
God's comfort in your suffering is his way of preparing you to comfort others in their own suffering (2 Cor. 1:4)
Friends who are sincere in faith should be the ones we long to see, and the ones who give us joy. My prayer: "Lord, teach me to miss the right persons."
2 Tim. 1:4-5 "... I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith..." (ESV)
We all know by now that the day of doom is not today. Yet on the other extreme are people who think there is no judgment day at all and that they could go on sinning without fear. May God enrich our understanding of our blessed hope --- the Lord's return.
(sent right after the failed Mayan calendar prediction)
the sash I want every Christian girl to wear: MISS PROVERBS 31:30 puwede rin MISS 1 PETER 3:3-4
(sent right after the 2012 Miss Universe Pageant)
Bago mag-ala una madaling araw, huminga ang aking tatay sa kahuli-huliang pagkakataon. Ang lahat ng kanyang hininga sa nagdaang 75 taon ay bigay ng Diyos na puno ng grasya, habag at pag-ibig. Papuri't pasasalamat sa Diyos na siyang bukal ng lahat ng kabutihan. (sent a few hours after the death of my beloved father Bernabe Austria Rosario)
Habang minamasdan mo ang mga bulaklak sa isang hardin, lalo kang napapahakbang papalapit. Ang halimuyak ng mga ito'y kumikiliti sa iyong pang-amoy. Halos abot na ito ng iyong mga daliri nang may mapansin kang nakapaskil na karatula:
BAWAL PUMITAS NG BULAKLAK MULTA: 200 PESOS BAWAT ISA Likas sa atin ang masiyahan sa mga magaganda; 'yan man ay bulaklak, sapatos, sasakyan, gusali, musika, pelikula, atbp. Hindi ba't yan ang dahilan kung bakit napipirmahan ang mga marriage contract? Nagsisimula ito sa pagkabighani ng isang binata sa karikitan ng isang dalaga at kanyang sinasabi sa kanyang sarili: "Gusto ko siya at nais ko siyang makapiling habang-buhay." Kaya't ang pagkaakit sa mga magaganda ay hindi naman talaga likas na masama. Ang masama ay kung nais mong mapasaiyo ang mga bagay na ipinagbawal. Kung magpupumilit ka sa iyong nais, kailangang bayaran mo ang multa.
Nang malinlang ng ahas ang nanay nating lahat na si Eva, minasdan niya ang bunga at tatlong bagay ang naglaro sa kanyang isipan (Genesis 3:6):
Ang bunga ay kalugod-lugod sa paningin
Ang bunga ay tila katakam-takam kainin
Ang bunga ay kanasa-nasa dahil sa kasinungalingan ng ahas na siya ay magiging marunong
Subalit nang matapos magkasala ang ating mga unang magulang, ano ang naidulot nito sa sanlibutan?
hinagpis
dusa
kamatayan (Gen. 3:16-19)
Hindi itutuloy ng karamihan sa atin ang pagpitas sa bulaklak dahil ayaw nating bayaran ang multang nagkakahalaga ng dalawan-daang piso, subalit nakakalungkot na nagpapatuloy tayo sa ilang mga kasalanan. 'Di hamak na higit sa dalawan-daang piso ang dulot nitong hinagpis, dusa at kamatayan. Huwag sanayin ang mga mata na tumitig sa alindog ng kasalanan. Sa halip, ating ituon ang ating paningin sa kagandahan ng Diyos at ng kanyang ebanghelyo. Ang hinagpis ay papalitan niya ng kagalakan (Awit 30:11); ang dusa ay papalitan niya ng ginhawa (Mat. 11:28); ang kamatayan ay papalitan niya ng buhay (Juan 10:10)
"Anong mayroon ako sa langit kundi ikaw? at liban sa iyo'y wala akong anumang ninanasa sa lupa." Awit 73:25, Ang Bagong ang Biblia
On Youtube, I lately found an interesting case involving a Filipino preacher sharing an urban legend through the pulpit:
Pastor Larry Tan
Here are the facts:One day , Mel Gibson got drunk at a party and got involved in a fist fight with three men. He suffered from head stitches, busted nose and dislocated jaw, but he never lost that face. Also, he never worked in a circus and his first big break as an actor is not as the Man Without a Face. Long before that film, he had already appeared in films such as Mad Max, Mad Max 2, Gallipoli, The Year of Living Dangerously, The Lethal Weapon trilogy, Tequila Sunrise, Bird on a Wire, Air America, Hamlet, Forever Young, and the The Chili Con Carne Club.
Lastly, the story of The Man Without a Face is not based on Mel Gibson's life story but on a work of fiction of the same title by Isabelle Holland first published in 1972.
See UrbanLegends.com HERE and HERE and Snopes.com HERE
What's the big deal? Trevin Wax said it well:
"Those of us who are entrusted with the task of expositing the Scriptures in a local church must take care to verify our sources, illustrations, and stories. No matter how helpful an illustration may be, it is dishonoring to God if it is untrue."
a tribute post for Mr. Bernabe A. Rosario on his 75th Birthday
Tulad ng ibang mga bata, maliliit pa ang aking mga daliri noon. May mga pagkakataon na sa higpit ng pagkakapihit sa takip ng garapon ng asukal, hindi ko ito kayang buksan. Buti na lang nandun si Tatay. Kukunin niya ang garapon at bubuksan para sa akin. Higit sa sapat ang lakas ng mga daliri niya upang buksan ang garapon:
Iyon ang mga daliring nagtrabaho sa sakahan na siyang nagtustos sa amin ng bigas: para sa aming araw-araw na pangangailangan at maging sa carinderia ni Nanay.
Noong hindi pa uso ang mga catering services, ang mga daliring iyon ang hanap ng mga magpapabinyag o magpapakasal. Gaano man kalaki ang baboy o baka, bahala na ang mga daliri ng punong kusinero diyan.
Wans-a-pan-a-taym, ang mga daliring iyon ay bahagi ng mga kamaong kinatatakutan sa mga suntukan sa kalye. Pero ayon nga sa patotoo ni Ginoong Raymundo Ambanloc sa Golden Anniversary ng aking mga magulang, nagkaroon ng vision si Bernabe matapos niyang pakasalan si Emeliana. Ang mga kamaong dating mahilig sa basag-ulo, nabaling sa paggawa ng mga upuang kawayan.
May isang pagyayari na hindi ko malilimutan. Ako ay isang munting bata, nakaupo sa isang mababang bagay. May isang baboy na mabilis ang takbo. Natangay ng tali ng tumatakbong baboy ang isang mahabang kawayan. Ang kawayang hila-hila ng baboy ay tumusok sa aking singit. Kung iyon ay tumagal, mahihila rin ako at maaaring bumaon sa akin ang kawayan. Maaaring ikamatay iyon ng sinumang bata. Subalit mabilis at maagap ang aking ama. Naroon siya agad. Mabilis na isip; matulin na mga paa, malakas na mga bisig at siyempre hindi paiiwan ang mga daliri sa kanyang mga kamay upang iligtas ang batang nasa bingit ng kamatayan. Ilang sandali lang, napaghiwalay na ang bata at ang kawayan. Sa maagang bahagi ng taong 2012, magtitimpla na ng kape si Tatay. Dinampot niya ang garapon, subalit mahigpit ang takip nito. Hindi kinayang pihitin ng kanyang mga daliri ang takip ng garapon. Ang dating munting bata ay malaki na ngayon. Kinuha ko ang garapon at binuksan. Ipinagpatuloy ni Tatay ang pagtimpla ng kanyang kape. Sa sandaling iyon ay aking napagtanto, kumukupas na nga ang lakas ng mga daliring matagal ko nang pinakikinabangan.
------------
UPDATE: Pumanaw po ang aking tatay pitong araw paglipas ng kanyang ika-75 kaarawan sa loob ng Intensive Care Unit (ICU) ng isang ospital dito sa San Carlos City, Pangasinan.
There is something frightening at the thought of God's omniscience. This attribute is often employed to warn people from doing bad things. Children are taught to sing: "O be careful little eyes what you see... O be careful little ears what you hear... O be careful little hands what you do... O be careful little feet where you go... O be careful little mouth what you say" for God watches from up above. Inside many public utility jeepneys, we see stickers with these words: "God knows HUDAS not pay", a reminder to passengers that even if Mamang Tsuper doesn't know, even if Mamang Konduktor doesn't know, God knows who the robbers are and he will hold them accountable for their deeds.
Is such fear healthy? I say "Yes!". We should have an awareness that God knows us exhaustively and one day we will give an account before him. "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." (Hebrews 4:13 NIV 1984). But in this post, I will tackle some of the blessings we get from the omniscience of God on the positive side-- that is this particular attribute as a source of hope, comfort and encouragement for his children.
God's omniscience gives us hope that we will be purified. As we turn our bibles to Psalm 139, we read that God knows the psalmist exhaustively (verse 1). Even before a word is spoken, he knows it completely (verse 4). He doesn't just know all the future days of the psalmist's life, he ordained them (verse 16). There is no place in the universe where we could hide from him (verses 7, 8, 11 & 12). The psalmist ends with a request:
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (verses 23-24)
God knows us very well, even in areas where we don't know ourselves. With a desire to be purified, the psalmist earnestly asked the Lord to search him and reveal the blind spots that he may be led "in the way everlasting."
God's omniscience protects us from evil-minded men There was an impending attack from King Saul on Keilah. David isn't sure if the people there were on his side. So he inquired of the LORD, "Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men to Saul?". The LORD answered, "They will." (1 Sam. 23:12). So David and his men left Keilah and moved from place to place. In the same way, even though we don't know the evil intentions of the people around us, we are certain God knows their secret thoughts. Therefore, he knows how to rescue us from them.
Since God is omniscient, he is neither shocked nor caught surprised by anything that happens in our lives and in the world. In Isa 46:10, YHWH declares: I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.
He knows about future storms, future earthquakes, future ailments, future terrorist attacks, future famines, future persecutions, futures deaths of loved ones, etc. These things don't ruin his good plan for us, rather they are all parts of the plan-- a plan that is not for our harm but for our welfare. Whatever takes place, his promise remains intact. He causes all things to work together for the good of those whom he loves and whom he called according to his purpose (Rom.8:28)
