Reflection # 5- Nothing New Under the Sun!

The past two sessions were series of continuation of the lectures on Church History. Among all the desirable knowledge to gain I chose two highlights of the things I have learned. One of that was the truth that God could use anybody in order to carry out His plan for the church. He used powerful emperors and even the worst enemies in order to preserve the church. Second, I have learned that really debates and arguments about doctrines is not something new for it existed way back centuries past. It seemed never ending. There were so many names to recall about difference in teachings and I could not name them all by memory alone and yet I could remember how many of them fought over the issues that we still struggle today. So really, there is nothing new under the sun!

As I think of it, I praise God for everything that He has done for His church. He used so many lives in order to carry out His will. I feel so thankful that in the same that He used real people in the past with flaws, He uses someone like me today. It is so humbling that God would place me in ministries when I feel so inadequate. Thinking that God could use people as His channel for the Gospel, I see that I could not really judge people and their task. I realized that God has a plan and He is in control. More so, I realized that never ending debates perhaps will never end until the return of Christ. I have been to some arguments before and I really wished I have more knowledge way back then. I wish I could have given better answers. But yeah, I cant. It's done. Because of the lessons this week I have a new admiration for those who have given their lives for the sake of protecting the church doctrine against false teachings.

In application, I will study well about the doctrines taught so that I will be able to give good answers that would help other people to find the truth. I will also read books that would help me learn even more of the faith we hold on to. Ultimately, I will allow God to use me in the ministry. I will be available for Him.  

Reflection #4

Reflection # 4 : The long Ride

This week has been a long journey of revisiting the history. I have learned or relearned various things. One of that is that Islam has been a minority compared to Christianity but then it has risen to power threatening Christianity with its zealous leaders and followers. However, the good thing about that is that no matter how threatening Islam was, it never conquered and will never overthrow Christianity. Faith leads on. The second lesson that I've learned is about yet another amazing man in Church History by the name of Cyprian. Cyprian has contributed so much because of his devotion to Christ. He was truly sacrificial in his faith.

Of the two highlighted learning, I asked myself, and I feel my head ache. Truly, the history of our faith has been so colorful and some kind of dramatic. It has gone through so many ups and downs. This week's lesson has encouraged me to be part of the great work of propagating the faith. I realized that I have not really thought of our Muslim brothers and sisters because for some reasons I have had my own biases towards them. But, yeah, they are people who are also in need of the Gospel. I realized that I have also few Muslim friends who are nice so I should stop stereotyping them. Out of the report of the life of Cyprian, I realized that truly, it is possible to live for Christ and die for Him as an honor. It takes a lot of commitment to the faith. I wonder at what point I am in terms of commitment.

In application, I will continue or make more steps to communicate with my Muslim friends and continually show to them the love of Jesus Christ by example. I will also pray for those who are persecuted because of their faith in Jesus and I will pray that they will live unoffended.

Reflection # 3 Keep On Believing

This week I have learned that the councils and creeds happened in the past for several reasons. It includes the goal to counter the threat of heresies, to clarify Christian core doctrines and to unify the statement of faith. The Second outstanding lesson that I have learned is that even the person who struggled so much of his sin could be a saint and a victorious child of God. That is Saint Augustine. With the two outstanding lessons that I have encountered this week, I have a lot of thinking to do. As I look closely at myself, I could identify with Saint Augustine trying to be more holy yet over and over been haunted for my weaknesses. I think I could not even go half of his struggle yet I don't have the measure of his courage to counter them by being open about it. I feel that I am not being vulnerable to others. I realized that sometimes I am ashamed to admit my weaknesses thinking that I am the worst of all and I would just rather tell it to Jesus. I also realized that indeed having an organized, simple, and strong statement of faith is very important as a Christian.. I haven't really thought of it in the past. I feel the need to develop it now. I should know what I believe.

So how do I apply this? What I have in mind is to find a trusted person whom I could be vulnerable to. I will be more open to others because it is part of achieving freedom. Besides there is nothing to worry about because it is already given that I am a sinner. Yet that should not hinder me from serving God. So even in my weaknesses I will continue serving in the ministry while trusting that someday I shall be made perfect. I will also start to memorize the doctrines I believe in and know them by heart so that I will be ready to answer others. Lastly, I will keep on believing!