Monthly Archives: May 2025

ROMANS 6 SLAVES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

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May 10

ROMANS 6

12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves,you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. – Romans 6:12-18

ROMANS 6 SLAVES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Because Jesus died for us all, should we continue to sin?

We have been brought from death to life in order for us to win

Sin has no hold on us anymore since we are no longer under the law

The free gift of grace has made us now slaves of righteousness.

What is a slave? According to an AI resource, In the Bible, “slave” often translates to the Greek word “doulos”, which can mean a servant, a bondservant, or even one who willingly submits to the will of another. In Colossians 3, we are given a clear idea what is expected of slaves. They are to obey their earthly masters in everything and they are to do it not only when they are being watched but even when they aren’t. They are to do it sincerely as if they are doing it for God himself. They are to do everything for them as if they are working for God himself and not for human masters. There will be a reward for all those who obey this: an inheritance awaits them.

In verse 16, Paul cautions the Romans that if they become obedient to anyone or anything, they become slaves of that person or thing. It sounds to me like idolatry, doesn’t it? If we idolize something or someone, we become slaves of them. We are cautioned against these things since we are now slaves of righteousness when Christ died for us.

REFLECTION

  • What would a slave of righteousness look like in our world today?

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May 9

ROMANS 6

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old selfwas crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. – Romans 6:1-11

ROMANS 6 ALIVE TO GOD IN CHRIST

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When Jesus died on the cross, he was raised from the dead

His resurrection defeated death and made humans free

If you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, you were given new life

Your old life is gone and you are now alive to God in Christ

Continue to wear your new nature so you’ll be sanctified

Jesus died for you in order for you to live a pure and holy life.

The question “Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?” sounded hedonistic.

Paul reiterates this question by raising the issue of the aftermath of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Remember that Paul’s letter was addressed to the Christian church in Rome which consists both of Jewish and Gentile believers. Paul tells the believers that they were joined in death when Jesus died and in the same manner, will also be joined in Christ’s resurrection when he comes back again.

All believers now have a responsibility to grow their faith and wear their new nature in Christ so that we all stay pure and holy until Christ comes again in glory.

REFLECTION

  • What can you say about those Christians whose lives have not been transformed?

ROMANS 5  GRACE ABOUNDS WHERE SIN INCREASED

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May 8

ROMANS 5

17 For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.18 Therefore, as one trespassled to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. – Romans 5:17-21

ROMANS 5  GRACE ABOUNDS WHERE SIN INCREASED

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Rejoice all those who are in Christ because you are blessed

Grace abounds when you lean on the Lord; you are saved

The law will not make you righteous, it will expose your sins

There is no condemnation to all who are made righteous in Christ.

Paul continues his advocacy for the grace that comes in believing and depending on Christ. He points out continuously the contrast between Adam and Christ. He gives hope to all those who receive this letter. He says that although one man’s disobedience made the whole mankind sinners as well, Christ reversed that condemnation through his sacrifice on the cross which gave all humans a clean slate to start fresh with our relationship with God.

When we do not accept our state of sinfulness and think that we can do something to keep us rely on ourselves, we are going to have a hard time understanding grace. Many false teachings add their own efforts to be saved. In this letter, Paul stresses that grace is a free gift and all we need to do is to rely on the finished work of Christ on the cross. We were justified by that sacrifice of Jesus. We need not add to the work that he has already done. We need to learn to receive that gift humbly and have grateful hearts that acknowledges the greatest gift of all.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think some people find it hard to accept God’s free gift of grace?

ROMANS 5 FREE GIFT OF GRACE

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May 7

ROMANS 5

12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. – Romans 5:12-16

ROMANS 5 FREE GIFT OF GRACE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Through one man’s sin, death entered all men

But God is so steadfast in his love for mankind

He gave the free gift of grace to release us from his wrath

When he did that, the path to reconciliation was opened

Paul emphasizes the greatest love we can ever receive. We don’t deserve this unconditional love because we have sinned, yet it didn’t stop God from showering us with the free gift of grace. This letter explains how Adam is so different from Jesus Christ. It is from Adam that sin came about and through him, we all became sinful, but it is through Jesus Christ that our sinfulness was cleansed.

When Adam sinned, they were banished and condemned for disobeying God. Jesus Christ came so that the judgment will be acquitted by his sacrifice on the cross. So, by one act of love, we entered righteousness. It was now possible to be reconciled with God and that condemnation is now replaced by the free gift of grace. After Christ made the sacrifice on the cross, we are now able to enter that eternal rest that God had promised all those whom he chose. In 1 Corinthians 15:21 Paul reiterates this difference between Adam and Christ by these words: “As by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”

REFLECTION

  • How can we ensure that we don’t forget to appreciate the free gift of grace?

ROMANS 5 WHILE WE WERE STILL SINNERS

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May 6

ROMANS 5

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. – Romans 5:6-11

ROMANS 5 WHILE WE WERE STILL SINNERS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When Adam and Eve sinned, they were separated from God

There was no way to retrieve God’s presence after they disobeyed

God made a way for all those who inherited our first parents’ sin

He gave his only Son while we were still sinners to show us his love

Jesus sacrifice on the cross is the perfect way to reconcile us with God

By his blood, Jesus took the wrath of God so we can all be saved.

Paul paints a picture of how God loves mankind. Because he is holy and righteous, he will not tolerate sin. Anyone who sins against him must bear his wrath. That is the nature of God’s justice. He has to punish sin. In this letter, Paul reveals to us the mercy, grace and the steadfast love of God in that while we were still sinners, he gave a remedy for us to be reconciled with him. Just like a good parent would never give up on their children when they are disobedient and rebellious, God never gives up on his own people. He thought of the best solution to the problem of sin among mankind. He knew that no human being can appease his wrath over sin. So, he gave his only begotten and beloved Son Jesus to be the perfect sacrifice for the appeasement of his wrath. When Jesus died on the cross, he removed that wrath of God towards all sinners. He became the mediator between us and God so that we can be reconciled with God and took God’s punishment in our place so we can be saved from our sinful state and be cleansed from sin.

REFLECTION

  • Is it possible for believers to love like God does? Why or why not?

ROMANS 5 SUFFERING PRODUCES ENDURANCE

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May 5

ROMANS 5

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and werejoicein hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. – Romans 5:1-5

ROMANS 5 SUFFERING PRODUCES ENDURANCE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When we experience trials of every kind, we press on

Because of Christ’s suffering, we can endure anything

To grow our faith, we need to endure what we suffer

It is in endurance that we transform our character

When we develop character, we produce hope

Hope abolishes all kinds of shame and it makes us grow.

Paul further explains to the Romans their justification by faith in this letter. According to studylight.com, the Greek word he uses for fortitude in verse 3 is “hupomone” which means more than endurance. It means the spirit which can overcome the world; it means the spirit which does not passively endure but which actively overcomes the trials and tribulations of life. “Hupomone” is not the spirit which lies down and lets the floods go over it; it is the spirit which meets things head on and overcomes them.

The book of James stresses the importance of embracing trials and sufferings of every kind. He reiterates Paul’s advice to rejoice in the midst of it in James 1:2 which says2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Even though the world sees and views suffering differently, we need to follow Paul’s and James’ teaching on it.

REFLECTION

  • Give insight as to how suffering produces endurance and character in your life.

ROMANS 4 UNWAVERING FAITH

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May 4

ROMANS 4

19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrennessof Sarah’s womb. 20 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” 23 But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.– Romans 4:19-25

ROMANS 4 UNWAVERING FAITH

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Abraham’s trust in the Lord is unwavering

No unbelief will make him stop believing

Because he was firm, faithful and righteous

He was fully convinced that God will keep his promise

He is our model of unwavering faith and father of nations

He sampled all believers on how to grow faith and endurance.

The apostle Paul continues his teaching on faith in this letter. Once again, Abraham became the focus of his instruction to his letter to the Romans. When Abraham was almost a hundred years old, God’s promise began to manifest when his son was born. Even though it seemed impossible to us humans how Sarah gave birth to Isaac in her nineties, it was a clear manifestation of God’s promise. Sarah’s faith may have dwindled a little when she began being impatient and having Hagar sleep with Abraham. Her husband’s faith didn’t waiver at all. Paul tells the Romans that this kind of faith made Abraham righteous which resulted in God making a covenant with him that he will be the father of all nations. Because of this vow that God made to Abraham, all believers receive that ability to have that unwavering faith if we continue to live in that covenant promise and persevere in growing our faith and hope.

REFLECTION

  • How can we develop an unwavering faith like Abraham?

ROMANS 4 GRACE THROUGH FAITH

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May 3

ROMANS 4

13 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. 16 That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17 as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 18 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” – Romans 4:13-18

ROMANS 4 GRACE THROUGH FAITH

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When God chose those who will belong to him

Because of his steadfast love, he poured his grace to them

By grace, he blessed his people with the gift of faith

By faith, we are showered with his grace and saved.

The apostle Paul explains in this letter the importance of faith. Faith is a gift from God to those whom he elects to be his own people even before the creation of the world. When Abraham was chosen by God to be the one who will be instrumental to begin his redemption plan, he gave him the ability to believe in him.

Can you imagine being asked to leave the place of your origin and follow where a God you don’t see would lead you to go? Abraham didn’t raise any question or have resistance to follow what was being asked of him to do. By nature, we are control-driven human beings. We want to know what to do, where to go, how to do it ahead of time. We want details and assurance of things that haven’t happened yet and we want to plan ahead. And yet, Abraham was like a meek lamb, just heeding to the instructions to leave his country and go to a promised land he doesn’t know. It was faith given by God that made him do so. The faith came from the outpouring of God’s grace for humankind.

REFLECTION

  • What do you think verse 18 means?

ROMANS 4 WALK IN THE STEPS OF FAITH

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May 2

ROMANS 4

9 Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. 10 How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. 11 He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, 12 and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. – Romans 4:9-12

ROMANS 4 WALK IN THE STEPS OF FAITH

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When God chose Abraham, he was also equipped with faith

This is what made him walk in the steps of God’s call

He didn’t doubt what God asked him to do, he acted on it

To believe in God means to follow the lead of God’s Spirit.

The apostle Paul emphasizes in this letter that faith preceded circumcision in Abraham’s life. The belief and obedience that Abraham exhibited made him righteous. It was his faith that made him the father of all nations.  He acted on his faith by following the call of God to leave the place of his birth and go wherever he was told to go. In this act of obedience and following the instruction of God, he sampled to all humanity the exercise of true faith.  Faith is not just believing and not acting on that belief. God grants those who believe in him the ability to take those steps of faith that he will instruct them to take.

After Abraham took the step of faith, he was declared the father of faith and the father of all nations. As a result of this faith, he was acknowledged as righteous. So, God made a covenant with Abraham and instructed him to be circumcised which seals that agreement. This will set God’s elect to be set apart from the rest of the world. It clearly manifested God’s faithful promise to Abraham: he was to become the father of all nations and he will have countless offspring.

REFLECTION

  • How is following the steps of faith an essential process in a believer’s life?

ROMANS 4 GOD’S GRACE PRODUCES FAITH

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May 1

ROMANS 4

What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered;
8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”– Romans 4:1-8

ROMANS 4 GOD’S GRACE PRODUCES FAITH

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When God pours his mercy and grace to mankind

It is out of his love that he gave his only Begotten Son

When you believe in Jesus Christ, you are receiving his grace

It will produce a faith inside your heart that will keep you amazed.

In this letter, Paul explains to the Romans the difference between work and faith. He reminds us of the story of Abraham who became righteous because of his faith. He became the father of all nations because of that faith. He didn’t question what God asked him to do, to leave his pagan nation and follow where he led him. God promised him many things that took a while to be fulfilled and it wasn’t necessary in Abraham’s lifetime but he still kept believing in God. Galatians 3:23-29 says that “23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slavenor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

REFLECTION

  • How is the concept of faith different from the believers’ view to other religions?