Insights from the Scripture

Proverbs 25:9-10
“ ⁹ If you argue your case with a neighbor, do not betray another man’s confidence,
¹⁰or he who hears it may shame you and you will never lose your bad reputation.”

Proverbs 25:9-10 speaks about TREACHERY in the midst of arguments. In verse 9, the Bible reminded its readers not to pursue arguments at the expense of BETRAYING other people’s confidence. Such acts may make people look victorious in their arguments, but in reality it destroys their own reputation (v.10).

The primary purpose of “argument” is to settle out issues in the hope of reconciliation. It should never be use as a means for us to look more righteous than others. For in doing so, people may see the conceitedness in us.

Self-righteousness is the devil’s masterpiece. – Thomas Adams (1612–1653)

 

“Commitment” is the Key to Biblical Love

1Corinthians 13:4-8 (ESV)
⁴Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant ⁵or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ⁶it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. ⁷Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. ⁸Love never ends.

 

The apostle Paul gave us the biblical character of love in 1Corinthians 13:4-8. Love is patient and kind (vv.4-6), it bears all things (v.7), and it never ends (v.8). The kind of love that Paul described seems to be unattainable in our present realm of existence. But God would never ask us to do anything that is humanly impossible. I believed the key to it is COMMITMENT. Our commitment will keep us patient and kind. Our commitment will help us bear all things. And finally, commitment will make our love enduring, thus, it never fails.  Hence, let us love with commitment. 

 

 

Understanding the “Doctrine of Election”

“Among the most hotly contested and persistent debates in the history of the confessing church, the doctrine of election is perhaps the greatest of all. The question goes like this: Does God choose sinners to be saved and then provide for their salvation? Or, Does God provide the way of salvation that sinners must choose for themselves?”

John MacArthur wrote a nice and concise exposition on the “doctrine of election.” Click here to read his full article.

A Reflection on BSOP’s 50th Anniversary – “What is BSOP?”

BSOP or Biblical Seminary of the Philippines had its humble beginning sometime in 1957.  Ten devoted young Chinese Christians were burdened by God as they meet regularly each Monday to pray.  They were moved by God to start a biblical school wherein ethnic-Chinese Christians may be trained and equipped to serve Filipino-Chinese churches in the Philippines.  This Bible school initially named BIOP eventually became a seminary (BSOP).  Today BSOP accounts for most of the pastors in the Filipino-Chinese church.  This humble beginning was tremendously blessed by God that last September 16, BSOP celebrated its 50th anniversary.  Now, as BSOP look forward to the challenges of the future, and prepare to expand its horizon; I pray that all alumni of BSOP would in unity work toward this goal.  That is, to fulfill the great commandment of our Lord Jesus Christ – “TO GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS … (Matt. 28:19-20). To God be all the glory, amen!

I dedicate this poem to my one and only son…

GOD’S GARDEN MUST BE BEAUTIFUL

God saw you getting tired
When a cure was not to be
So he closed his arms around you
And whispered come with me.
You didn’t deserve
What you went through,
And so he gave you rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful,
He only takes the best.
In tears we saw you sinking;
We watched you fade away.
All our hearts were broken,
You fought so hard to stay.
But when we saw you sleeping
So peacefully from pain,
We would not wish you back
To suffer the pain again.

- Author Unknown -