REFLEXIONS

“ Jesus said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God's .”” (Luke 20:25) The challenge for contemporary Christians in increasingly liberal societies and under the onslaught of materialism is not so much in the rendering to Caesar aspect of Jesus’ exhortation, but in maintaining the tension by keeping up the other aspect which is, and rather critically, rendering to God the things that are God’s. Christian, are you aware that you have obligations to be loyal and devoted to God and committed to His ways? How well are you living up to these? Are you being held back by “the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other thing?” These things challenge and test our devotion and loyalty to God and confidence in Him, but they can never overcome genuine faith. It is by faith that we overcome and maintain victory over the world! Let us be very mindful of this very thing and ask God to reveal to us any

" Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23, 24)   In Christ, God has blessed the believer with a new life: "Christ is our life". And we are told,  "from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace" (John 1:16). Whatever then we chose to do with that life, the way that we envision our participation in the context of life's daily and diverse scenarios, whether in our home life, work life or church life, can only properly be in seeing ourselves as "serving the Lord Christ" . Today's passage stirs-up, encourages and strengthens every believer, challenging each of us, to render our best effort in every call of duty. Even more so, it is especially nuanced for those situations in which we feel that our significant efforts are hardly noticed or adequately appreciated by those from whom

"I AM like a green olive tree IN the house of God. I TRUST IN the steadfast love of God  forever and ever. I WILL THANK You forever, because you have done it. I WILL WAIT for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly" . (Psalm 52:8-9) In the context of his relationship with God, whose love and kindness is unfailing, the psalmist likens himself to the "olive tree" - a very powerful symbol of prosperity and stability.  But you Christian, how do you perceive yourself today in Christ your redeemer, even right now as you read this? Do you value your relationship with Christ sufficiently as to stir in you sincere gratitude? Do you trust Him enough to wait for His guidance always?  Consistent with the character of the godly  is their complete trust in God, their  willing, consistent and unhurried  thanksgiving for all that He has done, and a conscious readiness to defer to the Lord's will even when it means having to wait. Yet the godly is never disappoin

“For me to live is Christ…” (Philippians 1:21) This simple statement expresses most powerfully the reality of the Christian’s relationship with Christ. This thought cannot be fuzzy in the mind of the one who believes. Without equivocation, every true believer knows the meaning of and holds dear to his heart this elegant expression of devotion, “ For me to live is Christ… ” Christianity is not a mere religious creed, but a life-transforming relationship with Christ Jesus. It is a radically transformed life and manner of life which acknowledges Christ’s death on the cross for the remission of mankind’s sin. And recognises also His subsequent resurrection in complete display of His pre-eminence and His power over sin and death. These signify the believer’s personal death to sin and resurrection to life in Christ. In another place Paul expressed the thought in our text in a less cryptic fashion, saying – “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but