For God does not show favoritism.
This morning, I was led to read again the book of Romans. My appreciation to the apostle Paul for writing this highly intellectual letter which explains the beauty of the Gospel of Christ for us all.
And as I was reading, this small line struck me. On the onset, it might look like God is a stuck-up. Wala daw favorite si God.
So why is it when we pray, we ask for God's favor? Isn't that contradictory? And it may appear that "NO ONE" can even come near or drae close to God for a personal relationship.
So what did Paul mean when he wrote that "God does not show favoritism."?
The answer lies on the first word "FOR". For is conjunction which is synonymous to "because" or "since". This shows a reason for a certain action. A cause that leads to an effect.
So, if "God does not show favoritism" is the cause. Nasaan ang effect? It's in the first few verses above it.
But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath , when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God āwill repay each person according to what they have done.ā To those who by persistence indoing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.
Now, we see the whole picture. Paul was actually talking about man's stubborness and unrepentance to sin which in the end will have a cost to be paid for. Paul was talking about God being a judge to man's unrighteousness and sin.
Pagdating sa kasalanan, God shows no favoritism.
What does this mean for all of us?
We are not exempted from God's wrath towards sin. Mas lalo na kapag we continue to live our lives with a stubborn and unrepentant heart. It will cost us in the end.
Sabi nga ni Mordo sa Dr. Strange, "The bill comes due." This is very true about SIN.
And God will repay us for every action that we do towards sin.
In the original letter, Paul was talking to Jews and Gentiles alike. And he was explaining simply to the Jews na hindi sila exempted sa judgment ng Panginoon sa kasalanan, even though they have the Law of God given through Moses. Regardless if inobserve nila lahat ng rituals or sinunod ang lahat ng batas sa Torah. Kasi, they will be judged according to the Law.
But, the Gentiles (non-Jew) will also be judged and will repay each action accordingly.
How does this apply to us?
Kung babalewalaain mo lang ang sinasabi at nirereveal ni Lord sa atin about our sins... GOD WILL REPAY YOU.
If you decide to accept the righteousness of God and step away from a life of sin... GOD WILL REPAY YOU.
GOD DOES NOT SHOW FAVORITISM.
God doesn't favor a religion over the other when it comes to sin.
God doesn't favor a person over the other when it comes to sin.
God doesn'f favor a church over the other, a country over the other, a race over the over, a more intellectual over the other nor the kinder over the other.
Wala din ditong usapan about kung sino ang mas maraming naibigay sa ibang tao, sino ang mas may natulungan, or kung sino ang pinakadeboto sa lahat.
GOD SHOWS NO FAVOR OVER SIN. Lahat tayo pantay pantay pagdating sa kasalanan.
So paano yan? Wala nang kawala?
Actually, this is evidence of God's favor for all of us. So God's favor is true in spite that He shows no favoritism over sin.
Paano? I think I understand the reasoning of Paul. If lahat tayo pantay pantay pagdating sa kasalanan.. Then lahat tayo pantay-pantay din pagdating sa GRACE.
If God shows no favor over sin, then God shows no favor over grace. The opportunity for repentance is given to ANYONE who approaches God and decides to accept His righteousness. The opportunity to live a life apart from sin is available to all. The opportunity to live a God-pleasing life is available to anyone who does decide to do so.
How? Through the person of Jesus Christ.
This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile.
The righteousness of God is given to us in the Gospel and person of Christ Jesus. This is what will save us from sin. And this is what will give us the opportunity to live a life pleasing and honoring to God.
So the question is, can we live a life under God's favor even though He shows no favoritism over sin? The answer is YES.
1. Accept the righteousness of God through the gospel of Jesus.
Paul said, that we can only be saved through the Gospel of Jesus. Jesus is the only way that both Jews and Gentiles can both be saved.
God provided only one way for salvation to show us walang pinapaboran ang Diyos kasalanan.
Whether you accept the Gospel or not is entirely up to you. But remember.. GOD WILL REPAY YOU ACCORDINGLY ACCORDING TO YOUR ACTION TOWARDS SIN.
2. Repent from not only from sin, but also from a stubborn and unrepentant heart.
The more habor unrepentance and stubborness towards sin, the more we are delaying the inevitable.
Judgement is a reality that we can't escape from. Pero kung sabihin sa iyo ng judge na may pagkakataon ka pa para makalaya sa kaso mo, hindi mo ba yan iga-grab?
Pag sinabi nya na may paraan para ma-abswelto ka hindi mo ba papatulan?
Sin for all of us is a death sentence we can't escape from. And God as a judge shows no favoritism.
If Jesus is the way to salvation, then repentance is the key to Jesus.
We can't approach God with pride and arrogance and self-service. We approach God in honesty, humility and repentance.
So you can continue to be stubborn about this and believe that you can do it all on your own. Walang pipigil sa iyo. Pero remember, GOD WILL REPAY YOU ACCORDINGLY.
Repent. Be humble. Be honest. Be broken.
3. Follow and obey Jesus Christ as your Lord.
After repenting and accepting the Gospel, live your life according to the Gospel.. who is Jesus.
Make the gospel your master. Make the gospel your life. Make the gospel run your life.
Eventually marerealize mo, na salamat God does not show favoritism. Kasi if ever He did, they you would have not enjoyed freedom and power over sin which comes from the gospel: Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
If you have read that and decided to stop living a life full of sin, send me a message. I want to lead you in prayer. It's never too late. The opportunity is open for you. And God's favor is upon you.
Godbless you all. May the favor of the Lord be upon you.