Ang Bulaklak at ang Multa

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

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Recommended Books:

The Evil of Evils (by Jeremiah Burroughs)

The Sinfulness of Sin (by Ralph Venning)

The Imputation of Adam's Sin (by John Murray)

Bad Anthropology from that Facebook App

Mensahe daw ng Diyos...

"... that there are no bad people, only people with bad ideas. Have compassion towards such people, and help them sober up from the influence of bad ideas."

On the contrary, people are already bad by nature even before they have conceived any idea. The Bible reveals our sinful nature even while we were still in our mothers' womb. Psalm 51:5 says "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me." (NIV)

And because we are sinners by nature, our inclination is not to love godly ideas but to hate and suppress them (Rom.1:18). This is the reason why we need redemption that is in Christ Jesus-- the redemption that brings light to our darkened minds (2 Cor. 4:6)
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Related Post: Mensahe Daw ng Diyos...

Be careful whom you dine with... kahit paborito mo pa ang ulam

"I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people-- not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat." (1 Corinthians 5:9-11 NIV)

The  Christians at Corinth misunderstood the Apostle's instruction in a previous letter. Paul must then clarify what he meant. He doesn't mean that Christians should not socialize with the unbelievers who are sexually immoral. What he means is that Christians should break the bonds of fellowship with those who confess the Christian faith yet live like unbelievers.

If we will not associate with sinners, we would have to leave this world for everywhere we go, we will always be surrounded with  sinful people. Besides, we were commissioned to saturate the  sinful world with the gospel message.

We however are  mandated to cut off the links of fellowship with the so-called brothers who sin incorrigibly. We are not even allowed to eat with such men. The reason for this was already stated in verse 6-- the principle of sin's yeast effect. Sin, when tolerated never limits itself to the offender. It will surely affect others. Sa mga Pinoy, yan ay ang epekto ng isang bulok na kamatis sa buong kaing. We could see the same principle applied in 1 Timothy 5:20 where Paul instructs the younger pastor to rebuke elders publicly so that it shall serve as a warning to others.

For this reason, we must be cautious. As for me, I will not eat with a so-called brother who is persistent in wickedness... kahit maghain ka pa ng tinolang native manok

photo credit:  http://rapsa.i.ph/blogs/rapsa/index.php?tag=tinolang-manok

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Yeast in the Dough

In a way, this is part two of my previous post. As I see it, there is a link between economic improvement and the advancement of the gospel in Eddie Villanueva's thought. Let me explain.

I was an avid viewer of Villanueva's Jesus the Healer TV Program. One of Villanueva's passions way back then is Bill Hamon's prophecy in 1992. Hamon prophesied that within the span of 20 years, God will use three presidents to transform the Philippines into "The America of Asia". There will be so much economic prosperity that the Philippines could afford sending missionaries. The Philippines will be the "launching pad of the gospel" says the (false) prophecy.

Thus, Villanueva has two great dreams:

1. economic glory for the Philippines that will lead to

2. the advancement of the gospel message to the nations with the Philippines as the launching pad.

Let's suppose Villanueva wins and resides in Malacanang for the next six years, will the cause of the gospel be advanced if Villanueva refuses to repent?

Again, I DON'T THINK SO.

On the contrary, I think the witness of God's people will be severely impaired if Villanueva's sin will not be dealt with. The Apostle Paul teaches that sin will not restrict its effect to the offender. Like a little yeast, it will affect the entire batch of dough (1 Corinthians 5:6).

Given the prominence of Villanueva within the evangelical community, his sin is no small yeast. The extent of his influence will not be limited to the JIL churches. It threatens to affect us all.

Oh God, have mercy on us!

Matthew Henry: Sin's Aggravating Factors

Factors that make our sins
"MORE HEINOUS IN THE SIGHT OF GOD, AND MORE DANGEROUS TO OURSELVES"
 

1. The more knowledge we have of good and evil, the greater is our sin

2. The greater profession we have made of religion, the greater hath been our sin

3. The more mercies we have received from God, the greater has been our sin.

4. The fairer warning we have had from the word of God, and our consciences, concerning our danger of sin, the greater is the sin if we go on in it.

5. The greater afflictions we have under for sin, the greater is the sin if we go on in it.

6. The more vows and promises we have made of better obedience, the greater has our sin been.

Matthew Henry

A Method For Prayer

cited in The Devoted Life

Eds: Kelly Kapic & Randall Gleason