But now: Test for faith/Maar nou: Geloofstoets

English and Afrikaans Descriptions (alternatively): These two words: “But now” is also a test for our own faith. If you hear those words: “But now”, is there something in you that says: “Thank you Lord!” Is there a “But now” in your experience of life so far? If you want to understand the essence of humanity's problem and God's answer to that, read the letter to the Romans. After nearly two thousand years, this letter, like the rest of the Bible, has resisted the test of time, and it only shines with urgent topicality today. Paul, the slave of Jesus Christ, had an intention to visit the Christians in Rome. For several reasons it was not possible and therefore he wrote to them a letter ... a remarkable letter. This letter explains the main doctrines of what he calls the Good News. The letter to the Romans would later become the fundamental document of the Christian doctrine. In this series of sermons from Romans, Rev Gustav Opperman guides you on this journey. Not through your own efforts, nor through any other religion, not through any spiritual discipline of whatever nature, will you ever come to God! Whoever you are. You stand entirely on your own, locked up in a pitch dark room, locked up in the dark dungeon and you are desperate, because you do not have solutions to the problems of life, even less for the problems death and the afterlife brings about ... A dark picture of a dark man in a dark dungeon. But here in Romans three verse 21 the bright light breaks through. And the key phrase is these first two words: “But now”. In those two words lie the whole history of God's deeds in the world. The whole biblical story, from beginning to end, is the story of God's “But now!” Hierdie twee woordjies: “Maar nou” is ook 'n toets vir ons eie geloof. As jy daardie woorde hoor: “Maar nou” is daar iets in jou wat sê: “Dankie, Here!” Is daar 'n “Maar nou” in jou ervaring van die lewe tot dusver? As jy die essensie van die mensdom se probleem wil verstaan en God se antwoord daarop, lees die brief aan die Romeine. Na bykans twee duisend jaar het hierdie brief soos die res van die Bybel die toets van die tyd weerstaan en skitter dit vandag eers met dringende aktualiteit. Paulus, die slaaf van Jesus Christus, het 'n voorneme gehad om die christene in Rome te besoek. Om verskeie redes kon hy nie hierby uitkom nie en daarom skryf hy toe aan hulle 'n brief... 'n merkwaardige brief. Hierin word die hoof leerstellinge van dit wat hy die die Goeie Nuus noem, uiteengesit en verduidelik. Die brief aan die Romeine sou later die fundamentele dokument van die Christelike leer word. In hierdie reis deur die reeks preke uit Romeine begelei Ds Gustav Opperman jou. Source: Sermon/Bron preek: Romans 3:21 But now: test for faith/Maar nou: toets vir geloof Reverend Gustav Opperman Roman series Justified #15 (2019 01 06) Music used in this video: Romans: Saraband and Variations (Handel) Orrelis - Mariaan Senekal position: 551