Pastoral Letter 24 Feb 2019

Apostle Paul was an encourager in the faith. As much as he stood squarely against sin and rebuked disobedience strongly among the believers, he will not fail to acknowledge some good points in them. The epistle to the Romans is full of doctrines that seek to correct error and falsehood. Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Roman Christians, could have provoked the church in Rome, causing them to feel guilty and ashamed because of their sins. Although Apostle Paul was harsh towards them, he did not condemn them. In fact, he even acknowledged that he was encouraged by them. Apostle Paul said, “And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren...” (Rom 15:14a). It is as if he said, “I am not condemning you because I am also encouraged by you.” The word “persuaded” contains the idea of being pacified. It means “encouraged,” in other words. Paul was saying that he was encouraged by them. How? He continued, “... that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another” (Rom 15:14b). Apostle Paul highlighted their good points. This was a kind thing for him to do as a minister of God. He was encouraged by their goodness. It is not just goodness, but “full of goodness.” Goodness has to do with attitude and behaviour that bring about benefits to others. They were helping one another. They were looking after those who were in need. They were willing to sacrifice themselves to care for others. They were going out of their way to bless others. All these made up goodness which was a blessing to the people around them.

They were not only “full of goodness,” Apostle Paul also acknowledged another good point of theirs: they were “filled with all knowledge.” They were not ignorant of the truth. Pertaining to the truth, they were not using their own wisdom and understanding. They were willing to be instructed and they obeyed according to their knowledge of God's Word. Being “filled with all knowledge” does not mean that they did not have to continue to learn or that there was nothing more for them to learn. No, “filled with all knowledge” means that there was obedience in what they had learnt from God's Word. And that made it complete.

Having knowledge is one thing, to obey the knowledge is another. The obedience of the knowledge makes knowledge complete. Today, we have so many avenues through which we can receive much knowledge of God's Word. We do not seem to have enough of it. Yet, there is something lacking in most of us: the application of our knowledge of God’s Word. With the acquisition of knowledge, it is easy for us to be puffed up, and our head begins to “swell.” The only solution is to apply the knowledge, use it, and live it out. That is being “filled with all knowledge.”

Having commended the Roman Christians for being “full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, Apostle Paul went on to say that they were “able also to admonish one another.” To “admonish” means to warn. It is a good word because it describes how believers need to warn one another against sin and take heed of the spiritual dangers that surround them. And there is no time to waste because if they do not take heed, they will fall easily. That is why they needed to admonish one another. It is good that the believers in Rome were able to admonish one another because of their knowledge of God's Word and their determination to obey or live out God’s Word in their lives. They were able to counsel one another to obey God, to do the right thing before God and before the world. This is most needful today. Let us seek to be “ full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another ” to the eternal glory of God. May God help us. Amen.


Yours in Christ,
Pastor Dennis Kwok



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