62. Wala ka sa Lolo ko. For him, peace works in the midst of conflict.

18 November 2020
Acts 28
Paul Preaches at Rome Under Guard
17 Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.
20 For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”

Apostle Paul, on the charges of Jewish religious leaders in Jerusalem, had been brought to Rome as a prisoner. He had appealed his case to the Emperor.

He had not preached in person in Rome. It was the Lord’s will that Apostle Paul come to Rome.

Acts 23
11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

Earlier, Apostle Paul by way of the Epistle to the Romans had been a messenger of the gospel of faith in Jesus Christ.

Romans 1
7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let me share what I have written 30 August 2017.

“In the midst of persecution, Apostle Paul sought peace.

To some extent, he was able to reach out to the Jews in Rome.

Acts 28
21 They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you.”
24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.

We can’t win them all, no matter how we try to make peace.

Saul the Pharisee was a violent man leading the persecution against early Christians. He encountered the Lord Jesus and turned around to become Apostle Paul, a man of God for the gospel of peace.

I have handled at work some people considered unreasonable, to say, “pasaway”. They were bringing personal vehicles inside the shop area which is prohibited per previous memo. I enforced the policy and they were angry at me; I talked to them heart to heart. I left for another job after about 2 years, they gave me a send off lunch, inihaw na tilapia at nilagang talbos ng kamote. What an acknowledgment that peace works.

Lord, Your Word says, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God (Matthew 5:9). Give me, Lord, the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, that will guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7); that I live at peace with everyone as far as possible living a life worthy of a child of God. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.””
___________________

From Wikipedia.
Epistle to the Romans. The letter was most probably written while Paul was in Corinth, probably while he was staying in the house of Gaius, and transcribed by Tertius, his amanuensis. There are a number of reasons why Corinth is considered most plausible. Paul was about to travel to Jerusalem on writing the letter, which matches Acts [Acts 20:3] where it is reported that Paul stayed for three months in Greece. This probably implies Corinth as it was the location of Paul’s greatest missionary success in Greece. Additionally, Phoebe was a deacon of the church in Cenchreae, a port to the east of Corinth, and would have been able to convey the letter to Rome after passing through Corinth and taking a ship from Corinth’s west port. Erastus, mentioned in Romans 16:23, also lived in Corinth, being the city’s commissioner for public works and city treasurer at various times, again indicating that the letter was written in Corinth.
____________________

Peace in Apostle Paul’s Epistle to the Romans.

Romans 5
Peace and Hope
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 
2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.
Romans 12
Love in Action
18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Romans 14
The Weak and the Strong
19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
Romans 15
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Paul’s Plan to Visit Rome
33 The God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Apostle Paul, from Saul the violent man to one with heart for peace.


Someday, my children's children will say, wala ka sa Lolo ko, for him, peace works in the midst of conflict. Amen.

The God of peace be with you. Amen.

Maraming salamat.




Comments

  1. mcgNovember 18, 2020 at 7:37 AM

    God would be pleased if we are to choose bridging peace when there is discord rather than take sides. May peace be with us all. Blessings and peace to you Picoy Christian Gonzales.✌🧡

    ReplyDelete

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