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THE SEPARATION FOR INCLUSION (4)

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“...I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” — Romans 9:2–3 The Gospel of Jesus Christ is light. It exposes what darkness conceals and calls us into a new way of living (John 8:12; Ephesians 5:8–9). Scripture teaches that the mind governed by the flesh cannot submit to God’s ways, while the Spirit produces a life that pleases Him (Romans 8:5–8; Galatians 5:16–24). Therefore, when retaliation, revenge and unforgiveness govern our responses, we must examine ourselves honestly. We should not merely blame circumstances or the people who provoked us. The flesh must be crucified, not pampered (Galatians 5:24). Joseph’s brothers provide a striking example. After Jacob died, they feared that Joseph might repay them for their former wickedness and sent a message asking for forgiveness (Genesis 50:15–17). But Joseph had already chosen forgiveness. He...
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THE SEPARATION FOR INCLUSION (3)

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“...I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” — Romans 9:2–3 THE ECHO OF GRACE In our last reflection, we confronted a searching question born from Abraham’s profound humility and generosity toward Lot: “How do we so easily slide from a calling of grace into a culture of vengeance? Why do we focus so heavily on our wounds, using our scars as an excuse to inflict pain on others?”  This question has opened a deep, heart-searching dialogue about forgiveness and meekness. For many, it has acted as a mirror, revealing areas of hidden bitterness. For others, it has sparked a sincere desire to seek a path of reconciliation, healing, and peace.  To look closely at our own hearts, we must ask ourselves these vital questions: 1. Does retaliation and vengeance truly satisfy a hurting heart, or does it merely feed the flame of anger? 2. Does s...
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THE SEPARATION FOR INCLUSION (2)

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“...I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” Romans 9:2–3 THE BURDEN OF A BITTER HEART Some years ago, I left my hometown in deep shame. I had been falsely accused of stealing my stepsister’s money. As far as I knew, I was the only person who believed in my innocence. Even a local diviner, who was consulted by the family, pointed a finger at me as the guilty party.  For three agonizing days, I slept outside on the cold ground. No one cared, and no one reached out to comfort or defend me. It was a deeply traumatic season of isolation and rejection. Eventually, I fled my hometown to live with my brother in another state. But I did not travel alone; I carried a heavy baggage of bitterness. I made a silent, burning promise to myself: I WILL AVENGE MYSELF AGAINST EVERYONE WHO FALSELY ACCUSED ME--ESPECIALLY MY OWN FAMILY. I nurtured this veng...
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THE SEPARATION FOR INCLUSION

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"...I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh."— Romans 9:2-3 For years, I have contended that mission and missionary work is not defined by the number of journeys undertaken. It is not about how many cities we traverse or how many unreached people groups we visit. Mission, at its core, is a heavy, inescapable burden for the salvation of others. It begins, first and foremost, with the spiritual impact we make within our immediate neighborhoods.  A ministry that has lost its burden for people may continue to operate, but it has lost the very pulse that connects it to the heart of God. A missionary may travel from nation to nation and return with celebrated, glowing reports, but that does not mean their ministry remains alive in the eyes of Heaven. Once the burden and the love for souls are lost, the mission ceases to exist as far as G...
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NURTURING THE CONSCIENCE INTO THE TRUTH (3)

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Subjecting Our Conscience to the Holy Spirit In our previous discussions on the subject of conscience, we have explored what the conscience is and what can produce either a healthy or a battered conscience. Without doubt, we have come to understand that the conscience is a witness, but it is never the final authority. No matter how sincere, innocent, or convincing a conscience may appear, it can still be grievously wrong. The Bible therefore warns us not to lean on our own understanding, but to acknowledge God in all our ways, trusting Him to direct our paths (Proverbs 3:5–6). However, our conscience remains an important witness within us and a moral faculty through which we become aware of right and wrong. It can be a valuable instrument in our walk with God—but only when it is properly instructed and governed by God's truth. It is therefore necessary to understand when our conscience is bearing witness in agreement with God's will and when it is merely echoing our desires, fe...
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FROM THE MANAGEMENT

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 For the Love of Him Who Has Called Us The journey has not been easy. Over the years, we have faced enormous challenges—trials capable of discouraging even the strongest hearts. At times, we have watched the apparent prosperity of those who despise truth and wondered whether integrity still has a place in our generation. We have endured fierce opposition, painful betrayal from those we trusted, coordinated attempts to silence our vision, and resistance from individuals and authorities who perceive our commitment to excellence as a threat. Yet, by the grace of God, we remain standing. Had our goal been earthly gain, popularity, or the applause of men, we could have compromised long ago. We could have lowered our standards, embraced malpractice, and traded truth for convenience. But our calling is greater than our comfort. Our generation increasingly desires success without sacrifice, wealth without labour, certificates without learning, and honour without character. Many have come t...
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NURTURING THE CONSCIENCE INTO THE TRUTH (2)

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“I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit.” — Romans 9:1 During our last discussion, we examined extensively what the conscience is and the factors that can produce either a healthy or a defiled conscience. Again, we need to understand this fundamental truth: THE CONSCIENCE IS A WITNESS, NOT THE FINAL AUTHORITY. No godly or spiritual person should ever replace God with the dictates of his or her heart. A seemingly innocent, sincere, and convincing conscience can still be grossly wrong and dangerously misleading. Yes, the Bible gives us striking examples of people whose consciences were sincere yet wrong, while also showing us people whose consciences were properly instructed by God's truth and therefore helped them walk faithfully before God. Let us examine a few examples. A. SAUL OF TARSUS — ACTS 26:9–11 Before his conversion, Paul sincerely believed that he was doing God's service by persecuting Christians. “I myself ...
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NURTURING THE CONSCIENCE INTO THE TRUTH (1)

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"I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit." — Romans 9:1 As we arrive at Romans 9 in our systematic study of the book of Romans, I found myself arrested by this single verse. I expected Paul simply to say that the Holy Spirit bore witness to his sincerity. Instead, he introduced another witness—his conscience. This raises important questions: What is the conscience? How does it become a witness to the truth? Can it always be trusted? The conscience is the inward faculty by which a person discerns right from wrong. It serves as an inner moral compass that either approves or condemns our thoughts, words, and actions (Romans 2:14–15). God created the conscience to restrain evil and encourage righteousness. Yet, because of the fall of man, the conscience itself is not infallible. It can function independently of God's revealed truth and may become distorted if it is not continually shaped by His Word and Spirit. Many ...
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THE UNDYING COMMITMENT OF LOVE

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"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?... In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us... Neither death nor life... nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." — Romans 8:35–39 Recently, I read this passage with fresh understanding. For years I unconsciously read it as, "Who shall separate us from Christ?" But Paul actually asked, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" That changes everything. Our unwavering commitment to Christ is not sustained merely by our love for Him, but by a deep, life-changing experience of His love for us (1 John 4:19). What kind of love had Paul experienced that made him declare that neither tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, sword, death, nor any power in heaven or on earth could separate him from ...
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THE HOOK OF CONDEMNATION

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"Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus is the One who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us." — Romans 8:33–34 Condemnation often comes when a person receives greater light and a clearer understanding of God's standard. As spiritual maturity increases, the Holy Spirit exposes areas that require repentance and transformation (John 16:8). Yet conviction is meant to lead us to Christ, while condemnation seeks to drive us away from Him. Sadly, condemnation has become one of the greatest hindrances to spiritual growth and fruitfulness. It chains people to their past, making it difficult for them to forgive themselves even after God has forgiven them. It keeps many believers imprisoned by yesterday's failures instead of embracing today's grace. Paul had already declared: «"There is therefore now no condemnati...
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ALL THINGS ARE YOURS

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 "He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?" — Romans 8:32 The greatest proof of God's love is not found in the abundance of earthly possessions but in the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. If God did not withhold His beloved Son for our redemption, we can rest assured that He will also graciously supply everything necessary to accomplish His purpose for our lives (2 Peter 1:3; Philippians 4:19). Yet, while God freely gives, many believers never enter into the fullness of what He has prepared for them. The limitation is often not in God's willingness to provide but in our unwillingness to believe, obey, ask, persevere, and possess by faith. Disappointment, fear, painful experiences, delayed answers to prayer, and the pressures of life can cloud our vision until we begin to doubt God's generosity. Such experiences often build invisible walls that prevent us from seeing the vast inheritance...
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