76. Wala ka sa Lolo ko. It would be woe to him if he does not share the gospel.

28 December 2020

Paul’s Rights as an Apostle

1 Corinthians 9

16 For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

1 Corinthians 10

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Excellence and Ethics.

Let me share my reflection 7 September 2017.

“The first is aptitude (mind) and the other is character (heart).

The topic of excellence and ethics was shared by Pastor Clem last Monday.

Yesterday, I did a safety briefing for contractors for the forthcoming safety inspection of construction sites; there are eight construction projects. I opened by introducing the Hebrew word “avodah” which means work and worship at the same time. 

I said I believe we all came to UP to work, that we all believe in God, and in effect we don't come to God only on Sunday but our way of worship includes what we do, the work we do the other six days.

I shared the feature on the show “Little Big Shots” where two graders displayed their aptitude for mathematics, and I commented the two if asked to do house chores may not oblige, and that there has to be a balance between aptitude and character, as parents would want for their children. 

Incidentally, with us in the briefing were two UPIS Level 12 highschooler interns referred to me.

Safety is the same, it is not a set of rules but rather a mindset, having the thinking that safety is for the good of oneself and therefore compliance will come even if there is no inspection. I added, safety is caring for our own safety, at the same time for the safety of the people around us. As it is, safety first; it follows that everyone would want to go home at the end of the workday with our fingers complete, we don't want anybody to get hurt; we want to complete all projects without accident.

“Lord, it is the same for our spiritual life, we want at the end of our earthly existence that we spend eternity with the God we worship. It is clear in Scriptures, as the Lord Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). I care for my own safety in life after my earthly life, Lord, let me also care the same for my loved ones, the people around me, that we be all in Your presence in eternity. Woe to me if I don't share the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:16); Lord, let the Holy Spirit work through me, in Jesus' name I pray. Amen.””

Apostle Paul was a man of excellence.

1 Corinthians 9

The Need for Self-Discipline

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 

25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 

26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 

27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

He was at the same time a man of ethics.

1 Corinthians 9

Paul’s Use of His Freedom

19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 

20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 

21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 

22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.

1 Corinthians 10

The Believer’s Freedom

23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 

24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

Dear Friends, totoo na mahirap maging Kristiano.

Here's Apostle Paul's secret.

1 Corinthians 15

10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

Yes, it is all by God's grace, so no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Amen.

I have been a recipient of God's amazing grace. Woe to me if I don't share the gospel.

My children's children will someday say, wala ka sa Lolo ko; it would be woe to him if he does not share the gospel.

May God's grace always be with you.

Maraming salamat.