Reflection # 10 (Love RCC)

We are in a country dominated by Roman Catholics. This truth is related to the lessons that I’ve learned this week and is a pressing concern for us Christians. This week I have learned that the blind faith of the Roman Catholics was deeply rooted in the past when its founders and leaders did their best to keep their interest. That’s why it is no wonder that the adherents of the RCC today are hard to convert and hard to uproot from what they believe in. I’ve learned also that in order to minister to them, we must be careful in studying their history, reaching them in love in order not to alienate them. 

As I think of it, yes, it’s true that we are dominated by Roman Catholics. In fact, almost all of us are sprouts from that faith. I can’t remember not ever being associated with its follower. All my life there has always been Roman Catholics. Now, I wonder if I was a successful witness to them for Christ when I was born again. Then, I know that I lacked the creativity and consistency in reaching them. I should work harder. It was so bad that when I became a Christian, I could remember having debates attacking the fallacies of their religion rather than extending the love of Jesus to them. Until now I’m still associated with Roman Catholics. In fact, some of y siblings are Roman Catholics. 

So what now? Knowing all these in my Church History class, it compels me to be a better witness. From now on forward, I will be more friendly to the Roman Catholics I know. I will also share the victories I have in Jesus in order to encourage them to be curious about my faith. I will also correspond to them more regularly. Instead of showing my inward descrimination of what they believe, I will show respect to their faith. This will take a lot of effort but I know that I must be done. So help me God!

Reflection # 9 (God uses People)

This week's lessons brought to mind the verse, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building” (1 Cor. 3:6-9 , NIV). That verse is in connection with the first lesson that I have highlighted for this week. It is said that Luther who hatched the egg Erasmus has laid. As common people think they believe that Luther did all of it and overlooked the fact that someone else prepared the way for him. Second, I have learned that God always raises someone to do His work. He raised amazing people like John Calvin and many more in order to carry out the task that God has in mind.

Thinking to myself, I realized that God uses people and sometimes He uses people to lay the foundation , to sustain or to finish. In all this, the work a person does should not discourage him because it is a vital contribution to the whole work. I also realized that even the godly and intelligent have dirty works. I know I have done a lot of mistakes as I serve the Lord and knowing how God used even the imperfect pepe in the past is an encouragement to keep on. That doesn't mean that I should continue sinning but that I should pursue to grow while in service.

Out of these lessons learned and reflected thoughts I will be faithful in the task that God has set before me. My faith should not be passive. I will be an instrument of God wherever He puts me. 

Hungry! (Reflection # 8)

This week was filled with learning about more amazing people in the past who were instrumental in shaping Christianity throughout the history. With the heavy load of biographies I have learned so many things. One of that is a quote from John Wycliffe which resonated his whole life, “To be ignorant of Scripture is to be ignorant of Christ”. Most people, if not all, know about how John Wycliffe's life and passion were used by God so that people of different ages could enjoy reading the Bible in language they understood. We are all inspired of how he passionately appealed to people in all walks of life that the Bible is and should be our only source for the rule of Christian living. And of course this week I have learned about John Calvin. I really admire this person and uphold highly his teachings. Aside from the doctrines that I've learned about him I also like what he said that, “As God's creation, he was put to earth to glorify God”. I have learned from his life that work is a calling from God, therefore, one glorifies God in his work by working diligently and joyfully.

Lately, I have been experiencing discomfort within me. I could feel it in my heart, a knocking conscience. I have to admit that I have been feeding myself less of God's word. For some reasons I allowed myself to wander away and get occupied with many other insignificant things. I have distanced myself from the bread that so satisfies. I still read my bible but the passion towards understanding the applying it was different. I know I have to go back to my old beautiful habit of spending time reading and meditating God's word. This week I felt reminded of a hunger I used to have and I long to be in that depth of communion once more. That's what I have reflected from Wycliffe's. As for my realization in the life of Calvin, I have come to evaluate my heart towards work. And I am thankful that I am working for people who makes me feel happy with my work. Indeed, serving God is done through faithfully doing my task and doing it with a cheerful countenance.

So how do I apply these wonderful lessons that I have acquired? Thankfully, I am now gearing toward faithfully reading and meditating God's word. I am back to my regular quite time. I feel so good about it because God is refreshing my hunger for Him. I am hungry for the bread of life! And because work is a calling from God, I will love my work in school and in ministry even more. I will do my best quality work for the glory of God.