Worship Exhortations

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose…(Romans 8:26-39)

othing can separate us from the Love of God: God the Holy Spirit is interceding for us on the earth and the Lord Jesus Christ is interceding at the right hand of the Father. God the Father is making everything to work together for good to those who love Him (Romans 8:27, 34 and 28).

Nothing will therefore separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:35 and 39). In Romans 8:35-39 there are many things that try to separate us from the love of God. But God foreknew us and predestined us that we may be conformed to the image of God and Jesus Christ might be the firstborn among many brethren. We are all called for salvation from the beginning and those who have responded are saved by grace through faith. Importantly we are justified (Romans 8:29-30) in Christ. Satan always says that we have committed sin or faults. But Christ pleads on our behalf pointing to His sacrifice.

God has glorified those whom He had justified. Notice that these aspects are mentioned in past tense – reminding us that the Lord has seen all these things happened to us already. When we are resurrected from dead, we raise with glorified bodies.

As many as 17 things try to separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:35, 39). But God workout everything (all such things) for good to us. Therefore nothing can separate us from the love of God.

-GJ

Table Exhortations

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation (Romans 13:2 ). 

o not oppose authorities but be fervent with the first love for God: We must submit to the authorities for the Lord has ordained governments. For conscience sake we must submit to the authorities (Titus 3:1-2 and 1 Peter 2:14).

Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. Titus 3:2.

• Jesus  lived thirty three and half years in the days when Romans were in power. He taught the disciples to “render the things that are Ceasar’s to Ceasar and the things of God to God” (Matthew 22:21). Interestingly, Jesus told Peter in Matthew 17:26, that the children of God (of the kingdom of God) are free however, they have to pay the taxes so as to not offend the rulers. Similarly, Apostle Paul also respected the Roman authorities (Acts 24-26), even when he was insulted (Acts 26:24-25).
• However, the wisdom and power of the world would come to nothing one day for they do not know the God of Glory (1 Corinthians 2:6). According to 1 Corinthians 5:12-13, we do not judge the people of the world, but we are to judge the people of God concerning morality, doctrine and christian life. The people that are unruly – who are the obvious case of immorality within the church need to be be judged. Jesus Christ, rebuked Pharisees, Seducess and Scribes with harsh words – even saying “woe unto you..” (Luke 11:42) because they were clean outside but having death inside (Matthew 23:27). Because He came to build the Kingdom of God in righteousness. Church must be established in truth and righteousness. Christ judges that which is not right in the Church as we observe in the first church when Ananias and Sapphira were judged by Peter for lying to the God of Holy Spirit (Acts 5). Apostle Paul called Galatians, “foolish Galatians”when they were driven again to the bondage of Judaism (Galatians 3:1-3). He reproved the church at Corinth for their immaturity (1 Corinthians 3:1-2). Likewise, Stephen rebuked the Pharisees when they have resisted the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:51).
• In Revelation 2:1-7, Lord Jesus Christ warned the church at Ephesus for they have lost their first love towards God. We must have such fervent love for God as the church at Ephesus had in the beginning. We must do everything that God wants us to do. We should come to the house of God to worship Him. We should have the desire to read and meditate the word of God. We should have the desire to pray together.

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent Revelation 2: 4-5.

-EL