Tu’apulelulu ‘Akosi 4, 2022 

A FEAST FOR OUR SOULS

KO E TEPILE MAHU MA’A HOTAU LAUMALIE

ROMANS 5:15

But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.

LOMA 5:15

Ka ‘oku ‘ikai ke fai tatau ‘aupito ‘a e ‘omi kelesi mo e faihala. He kapau na‘e mate ‘a e tokolahi ‘i he fai hala ‘a e toko taha, huanoa ‘ene a‘usia ‘a e tokolahi, ‘o fu‘u hulu atu, ‘e he ‘ofa ‘a e ‘Otua, mo ‘ene me‘a‘ofa, ko e me‘a ‘i he ‘ofa ‘a e tangata ‘e toko taha ko Sīsū Kalaisi.

 

Sola Gratia - Grace Alone - Ko e Kelesi´ pe   

It was of mere grace that God gave us His only begotten Son. The grace is great in proportion to the dignity and excellency of what is given: the gift was infinitely precious, because it was a person infinitely worthy, a person of infinite glory; and also because it was a person infinitely near and dear to God. The grace is great in proportion to the benefit we have given us in Him: the benefit is doubly infinite, in that in Him we have deliverance from an infinite, because an eternal, misery; and do also receive eternal joy and glory. The grace in bestowing this gift is great in proportion to our unworthiness to whom it is given; instead of deserving such a gift, we merited infinitely ill of God's hands. The grace is great according to the manner of giving, or in proportion to the humiliation and expense of the method and means by which way is made for our having of the gift.

JONATHAN EDWARDS

Ko ‘Ene kelesi pe, na’e foaki ai ‘e he ‘Otua ‘a Hono ‘Alo ma’a kitautolu. Ko e kelesi lahi ‘o taau mo e mafimafi mo e langilangi ‘o e koloa na’e foaki. Ko e me’a’ofa na’e ta’ehanotatau ‘a hono mahu’inga, he ko e foaki ‘e ha tokotaha ‘oku laulotaha hono mahu’inga, pea motu atu hono naunau’ia; ‘oku ta’engata ‘a hono langilangi; pea ko e pesona ‘oku pipiki ki he mafutefua ‘o e ‘Otua, he ko e pele ‘a e ‘Otua. ‘Oku lahi ‘a e kelesi ‘o taau mo e ngaahi tapuaki ‘oku tau ma’u ‘iate Ia: ko e ngaahi tapuaki ko eni, ‘oku ta’efakangatangata he ‘oku ne fakahaofi kitautolu mei ha popula mo ha mamahi ta’engata pea fetongi’aki ha fiefia mo ha langilangi ta’engata.

Ko e kelesi ‘o hono hilifaki ‘o e me’a’ofa ko eni, ‘oku mahulu atu ‘o fakatatau ki hotau tu’unga ta’etaau. Na’e ‘ikai ke tau tuha mo ha fu’u me’a’ofa pehee fau, ka ko ha mala ta’engata pe na’e tonu ke tau ma’u mei he to’ukupu ‘o e ‘Otua. Ko e kelesi ko eni, ‘oku lahi fau, ‘o fakatatau ki he founga na’e fou mei ai ‘a e foaki, pea ‘oku hohoa tatau mo e ‘aufuato ‘o e mahu’inga ‘o hono tuku mai ‘o e fu’u me’a’ofa ni.

Pulelulu ‘Akosi 3, 2022

NOT OF WORKS

‘IKAI KO HA NGAAHI NGAUE  

EPHESIANS 2:9

not of works, lest anyone should boast.

‘EFESO 2:9

na‘e ‘ikai tupu mei ha ngaahi ngāue, koe‘uhi ke ‘oua na‘a ai ha taha ‘e fa‘a pōlepole.

 

Sola Gratia - Grace Alone - Ko e Kelesi´ pe   

Not of works. Instead of what [Paul] had said, that their salvation of grace, he now affirms, that “it is the gift of God." Instead of what he had said, "Not of yourselves," he now says, "Not of works." Hence we see that the apostle leaves nothing to men in procuring salvation. In these three phrases - not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works - he embraces the substance of his long argument in the epistles to the Romans and to the Galatians that righteousness comes to us from the mercy of God alone, is offered to us in Christ by the gospel, and is received by faith alone, without the merit of works.

This passage affords an easy refutation of the idle cavil by which papists attempt to evade the argument that we are justified without works. Paul, they tell us, is speaking about ceremonies. But the present question is not confined to one class of works. Nothing can be more clear than this. The whole righteousness of man, which consists in works-nay, the whole man, and everything that he can call his own-is set aside.

JOHN CALVIN

‘Ikai ko ha ngaue. ‘Oku tanaki ‘e Paula ha fakamaama ki he lea na’a ne fai kimu’a, ko e fakamo’ui ko e fou mei he kelesi, pea ‘oku ne fakamo’oni mai heni, “ko e me’a’ofa ia ‘a e ‘Otua.” Na’a ne pehee, “na’e ‘ikai meiate kimoutolu ia” pea ko eni ‘oku ne fakamahino mai, “ ‘oku ‘ikai ko ha ngaue.” ‘I he’ene pehee, ‘oku ‘ikai toe tuku ‘e he ‘aposetolo ha me’a ki he tangata ke ne fai ke ma’u ai hono fakamo’ui. Ko e kupu’i lea ko ‘e tolu; na’e ‘ikai meiate kimoutolu ia - ko e foaki mei he ‘Otua - na’e ‘ikai tupu mei ha ngaahi ngaue; ‘Oku nau hanga ‘o pukenima ‘a e uho ‘o e ngaahi fakamatala ‘a Paula ‘i he tohi Loma mo e tohi ki Kaletia; ko e ma’oni’oni ‘oku tau ma’u mei he ‘alo’ofa ‘ata’ataa pe ‘a e ‘Otua, pea ‘oku tau ma’u meia Kalaisi ‘i he Kosipeli, pea ‘oku ma’u pe ia ‘i he tui pe, ‘o ‘ikai kau ai ha ngaue. 

Ko e potutohi ko eni, ‘oku ne taa’i ‘a e lau ‘a e kau takilotu ‘i he kamata’angaa ‘o pehee, ‘oku ‘ikai lava ha fakatonuhia ta’e kau ki ai ha ngaue. Na’a nau pehe, ko e lau ia ‘a Paula ki he ngaahi ouau. Ka ko e fakamaama ‘oku tau lave ki ai, na’e ‘ikai ‘uhinga ia ki ha oua pe ‘e taha. ‘Oku ‘ikai ha toe faka’uli’ulilatai ‘i he mo’oni ko eni. Ko e kotoa ‘o e ma’oni’oni ‘a e tangata, ‘a ee ‘oku ma’u mei he ngaue - ‘a e minigimingi’i me’a ‘a e tangata - mo e me’a kotoa pe te ne lau ko ‘ene me’a - kuo li’aki kotoa ia heni.

Tusite ‘Akosi 2, 2022

GLAD TIDINGS OF GRACE

KO E TALANOA FUNGANI ‘O E KELESI

JOHN 15:16

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

SIONE 15:16

Na‘e ‘ikai ko kimoutolu na‘e fili au, ka ko au na‘a ku fili kimoutolu, pea na‘a ku fakanofo kimoutolu, ke mou ‘alu kimoutolu ‘o fua, pea ke nofo ma‘u homou fua; koe‘uhiā ke ‘ilonga ha me‘a te mou kole mei he Tamai ‘i hoku hingoa ke ne ‘atu ia.

 

Sola Gratia - Grace Alone - Ko e Kelesi´ pe    

 

Unbounded goodness and love enter into the very essence of the Godhead. It is because “his mercy endureth forever” that men are not destroyed; because "his compassions fail not" that sinners are brought to Him and forgiven. Remember this, or you may fall into error by fixing your minds so much upon the faith which is the channel of salvation as to forget the grace which is the fountain and source even of faith itself.

Faith is the work of God's grace in us. No man can say that Jesus is the Christ but by the Holy Ghost. "No man cometh unto me," saith Jesus, "except the Father which hath sent me draw him." So that faith, which is coming to Christ, is the result of divine drawing. Grace is the first and last moving cause of salvation; and faith, essential as it is, is only an important part of the machinery which grace employs. We are saved "through faith," but salvation is "by grace." Sound forth those words as with the archangel's trumpet: "By grace are ye saved." What glad tidings for the undeserving!

CHARLES SPURGEON

Ko e lelei ta’efakangatangata mo e ‘ofa, ‘oku fetaiaki ‘i he uho ‘o e Tolu-taha’i-’Otua. Koe’uhi, ko e “tolonga ‘o ta’engata ‘a e ‘alo’ofa ‘a e ‘Otua,” ‘oku ‘ikai ai ke faka’auha ‘a e fa’ahinga ‘o e tangata; Pea koe‘uhi “‘oku ‘ikai ke ‘osi ‘ene fai faka‘atu‘i”, ‘oku ha’u ‘a e angahala kiate Ia ‘o ma’u fakamolemole. Manatu ma’u ki heni, ka ‘ikai te ke to ki he fehalaaki ‘o e nofo ho’o fakakaukau ‘i he lahi ho’o tui, ‘a ia ko e tafenga pe ia ‘o e fakamo’ui, pea ngalo ‘a e KELESI ko e fauniteni mo e tupu’anga ‘o e ma’u’anga tui

Ko e TUI, ko e ngaue ia ‘a e KELESI ‘a e ‘Otua ‘iate kitautolu. ‘Oku ‘ikai ha taha te ne lava ke fakamo’oni, ko Sisu ko Ia ‘a e Kalaisi, ka ‘i he Laumalie Ma’oni’oni pe. “Oku ‘ikai ha’u ha taha kiate Au,” ko e folofola ia ‘a Sisu, “ka ‘i hono tohoaki ia ‘e he Tamai na’a ne fekau mai au.” Ko ia ai, ko e TUI, ‘i he’ete ha’u kia Sisu, ko e ola (fua) ‘o e tohoaki ‘a e ‘Otua. Ko e KELESI, ko e kamata’anga mo e faka’osinga ‘o e ngaue ‘o e akamo’ui;  pea ko e TUI, neongo ‘a ‘ene tu’u lotoloto ‘i hono mahu’inga, ka ko e konga mahu’inga pe ia ‘o e misini ‘oku fakaivia ‘e he KELESI. ‘Oku fakahaofi kitautolu “ ‘i he TUI,” ka ko hotau fakamo’ui, ‘oku ma’u mei he KELESI. Fakaongo ‘a e lea ni, hange ko e talupite ‘a e ka’ate ‘angelo, “He ko e KELESI pe kuo mou mo’ui mei ai.” Ko ha toki tala fungani ki he kau ta’e’iloa mo ta’etaau!

Monite ‘Akosi 1, 2022 

AN INVALUABLE FREEDOM

KO E TAU’ATAINA MAHU’INGA FAU

EPHESIANS 1:7

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

‘EFESO 1:7

‘a ia, ‘i he‘etau ‘iate ia, ‘oku tau ma‘u ni ‘a e huhu‘i, ko e me‘a ‘i hono ta‘ata‘a, ko e fakamolemole ‘o ‘etau ngaahi angahala, ‘o fakatatau ki he mohu me‘a ‘o ‘ene kelesi.

 

Sola Gratia - Grace Alone - Ko e Kelesi´ pe    

By His death He has restored us to favor with the Father, and therefore we ought always to direct our minds to the blood of Christ as the means by which we obtain divine grace. After mentioning that through the blood of Christ we obtain redemption, [Paul] immediately styles it "the forgiveness of sins" to intimate that we are redeemed because our sins are not imputed to us. Hence it follows that we obtain by free grace that righteousness by which we are accepted of God, and freed from the chains of the devil and of death.

The close connection which is here preserved, between our redemption itself and the manner in which it is obtained, deserves our notice; for so long as we remain exposed to the judgment of God, we are bound by miserable chains, and therefore our exemption from guilt becomes an invaluable freedom. According to the riches of His grace, He now returns to the efficient cause, the largeness of the divine kindness which has given Christ to us as our Redeemer.

JOHN CALVIN

Koe’uhi ko ‘Ene pekia, kuo fakalelei ai kitautolu mo e Tamai, pea ‘oku taau ke tau fakamama’u ki he ta’ata’a ‘o Kalaisi, ko e ma’u’anga ‘o ‘ene kelesi. ‘I he hili pe ‘ene pehee, kuo tau ma’u hotau huhu’i ‘i he ta’ata’a ‘o Kalaisi, ‘oku fakaha mai ‘e Paula, ko e kelesi ko eni, ko e “ fakamolemole angahala” he kuo totongi hotau mo’ua pea ‘oku ‘ikai toe lau ia kiate kitautolu. ‘Io, kuo tau ma’u ‘a e ma’oni’oni ko e kelesi tala’ofa, pea kuo tali ai kitautolu ‘e he ‘Otua, pea kuo vete ange hotau popula ki he ngaahi ha’i ‘aione ‘a e tevolo mo mate. 

Ko e fekau’aki vaofi ‘a hotau huhu’i mo e founga na’e fai’aki, ‘oku mahu’inga ke tau tokanga ki ai; lolotonga ko ia ‘etau nofo ‘i he malumalu ‘o e fakamaau ‘a e ‘Otua, ‘oku ma’u kii’i kitautolu ‘e ha ngaahi lopa uakamea, pea ko hotau faka’ataa mei he tu’ungfa halaiaa, ko ha tau’ataina matu’aki mahu’inga fau. Fakatatau ki he mohume’a ‘a ‘Ene kelesi, ‘oku Ne fakafoki ki he lava’anga fungani, ‘a e lahi faufaua ‘o ‘Ene ngaahi ‘alo’ofa, kuo foaki mai ai ‘a Kalaisi ma’a kitautolu ko hotau Huhu’i.

Sapate Siulai 31, 2022 

SATISFIED WITH GOD'S GRACE

TOPONO ‘I HE KELESI ‘A E ‘OTUA

2 CORINTHIANS 7:1

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2 KOLINITO 6:19

Ko ia, si‘oku ‘ofa‘anga, he‘etau ma‘u ha ngaahi palōmesi pehē fau, tau fakama‘a kitautolu mei he ‘uli kotoa pē ‘o e kakano mo e loto, ‘o tau fakakakato ‘etau mā‘oni‘oni ‘i he ‘apasia ki he ‘Otua.

2 KOLINITO 7:1

KO IA, ‘e kaiga ‘ofeina, ‘i he ‘e tau ma‘u ‘a e gaahi tala’ofa ni, ke tau fakama’a ‘akitautolu mei he ‘uli kotoa be ‘o e kakano mo e laumalie, ‘o fakahaohaoa ‘a e ma’oni’oni ‘i he manavahe ki he ‘Otua. (Paaki ‘a Uesi)

 

Sola Gratia - Grace Alone - Ko e Kelesi´ pe   

Whosoever now believes the Gospel will receive grace and the Holy Spirit. This will cause the heart to rejoice and find delight in God, and will enable the believer to keep the Law cheerfully, without expecting reward, without fear of punishment, without seeking compensation, as the heart is perfectly satisfied with God's grace, by which the Law has been fulfilled. But all these promises from the beginning are founded on Christ, so that God promises no one this grace except through Christ, who is the Messenger of the divine promise to the whole world. For this reason He came and through the Gospel brought these promises into all the world, which before this time had been proclaimed by the prophets.

It is, therefore, in vain if anyone expects the fulfillment of the divine promises without Christ. All is centered and decreed in Christ. Whosoever will not hear Him shall have no promises of God. For just as God acknowledges no law besides the Law of Moses and the writings of the prophets, so He makes no promises, except through Christ alone.

MARTIN LUTHER

‘Ilonga ha taha ‘oku ne tui ki he Kosipeli te ne ma’u ‘a e kelesi mo e Laumalie Ma’oni’oni. ‘Oku ake ai ‘a e loto ke fiefia ‘o hohoi ki he ‘Otua, pea ne tokoni ki he tokotaha tui ke ne fie tauhi ‘a e Lao, ‘o ‘ikai sio totongi, pe manavahe na’a tautea’i ia, pea ‘e ‘ikai te ne kumi ke ma’u ha’a ne me’a ai, he kuo topono ‘a e loto ‘i he kelesi ‘a e ‘Otua, ‘a ee kuo ne fakakakato ‘a e tu’utu’uni ‘a e Lao. Ka ko e kotoa ‘o e ngaahi palomesi ko eni, talu mei he kamata’anga, ‘oku ma’u kotoa ‘ia Kalaisi, ‘a e Talafekau ‘o e ngaahi tala’ofa faka-’Otua ki mamani kotoa. Pea ko e ‘uhinga ia na’a ne hoko mai ai pea fou ‘i he Kosipeli ‘a hono ‘omi ‘o e ngaahi palomesi ko ia k mamani, ‘a ee na’e talaki ‘e he kau palofita. 

Pea ko e ‘uhinga ia, ‘oku muna ‘a e fakakaukau ‘akinautolu ‘oku pehee te nau ma’u ‘a e ngaahi tala’ofa ko eni, ‘o ‘ata’ataa mei he Kalaisi. ‘Oku tefito kotoa pea uho ‘aki ‘a Kalaisi ‘a e ngaahi tala’ofa ko eni. Ko ia pe ‘oku ‘ikai te ne ongona (tali) Iaa, ‘e ‘ikai te ne ma’u ‘a e palomesi ‘a e ‘Otua. Hange pe ko hono tala, ‘oku ‘ikai ha toe Lao ka ko e Lao pe ‘a Mosese mo e ngaahi tohi ‘a e kau palofita, ‘oku ‘ikai ha palomesi, ‘oku ‘ata’ataa mei he Kalaisi.

Tokonaki Siulai 30, 2022 

HONORING GOD'S GRACE

FAKALANGILANGI’I ‘A E KELESI ‘A E ‘OTUA

GENESIS 41:16

So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”

SENESI 41:16

Pea tali ‘e Siosifa kia Felo, ‘o pehē, ‘Oku ‘ikai ko au: ko e ‘Otua pē te ne ‘omi ha me‘a ke tu‘umālie ai ‘a e ‘Afiona.

 

Sola Gratia - Grace Alone - Ko e Kelesi´ pe   

Let us learn from the example of holy Joseph to honor the grace of God even among unbelievers; and if they shut the door against the entire and full doctrine of piety, we must at least endeavor to instill some drops of it into their minds. Let us also reflect on this, that nothing is less tolerable than for men to arrogate to themselves anything as their own; for this is the first step of wisdom, to ascribe nothing to ourselves, but modestly to confess that whatever in us is worthy of praise flows only from the fountain of God's grace.

It is especially worthy of notice that as the Spirit of understanding is given to anyone from heaven, he will become a proper and faithful interpreter of God. "God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace." Joseph added this from the kindly feeling of his heart; for he did not yet comprehend what the nature of the oracle would be.

JOHN CALVIN

Fakatauange ke tau ako mei he sipinga ‘a e ma’oni’oni ko Siosifa, he’ene fakahikihiki’i ‘a e kelesi ‘a e ‘Otua ‘i he uhouhonga ‘o e kau ta’e lotu; pea kapau ‘oku nau tapuni ‘a e matapaa ki he tokateline kakato ‘o e lotu mo’oni, pea kuopau ke tau poto ‘i hono faka’ali ha ngaahi ‘ata ki honau ‘atamai. ‘Oku mahu’inga foki ke tau fakakaukau ki he mo’oni ko eni, ko ha me’a kataki ngata’a ka ko ha taha ‘oku ne polepole ‘i ha me’a ‘o tala ko ia pe; he ko e ‘uluaki sitepu ‘o e poto, ko ‘ete tala ‘oku ‘ikai ha’ate lelei, ka ‘okapau ‘oku ‘i ai ha me’a ke fakafeta’ia, ko e tafe kotoa mei he fauniteni ‘o e kelesi ‘a e ‘Otua..

‘Ikai ia ko ia pe, ka ‘oku mahu’inga ke tau fakatokanga’i, ko e Laumalie ‘o e tatala me’aa, ‘oku foaki ia ki ha taha pe, mei hevani, ke ne hoko ‘o faka’uhinga’i ha me’a pe ‘oku fou mei he ‘Otua; “ko e ‘Otua pē te ne ‘omi ha me‘a ke tu‘umālie ai ‘a e ‘Afiona,” Na’e tanaki ‘eni ‘e Siosifa ki he ongo’i ‘ofa na’e ‘i hono loto, he na’e ‘ikai te ne ‘ilo’i ‘a e taumu’a ‘o e fekau na’e fou mei he ‘Otua.

 Falaite Siulai 29, 2022 

HIS LOVE IS INFINITE

KO E ‘ENE ‘OFA ‘OKU TA’EFAKANGATANGATA

DEUTERONOMY 33:26 NKJV

“There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, Who rides the heavens to help you, And in His excellency on the clouds.

TEUTALONOME 33:26

‘Oku ‘ikai ha taha ‘oku tatau mo e ‘Otua ‘o Sesuluni, ‘Oku ne hekasi he langi ‘i ho tokoni, Mo e ‘atā, kuo pehē hono lāngilangi.

 

Sola Gratia - Grace Alone - Ko e Kelesi´ pe   

He is the King of glory, the Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle: a strong rock, and a high tower. There is none like the God of Jeshurun, who rideth on the heavens in their help, and in His excellency on the sky. The eternal God is [our] Refuge, and underneath are everlasting arms. He is a God that hath all things in His hands, and does whatsoever He pleases: He killeth and maketh alive; He bringeth down to the grave and bringeth up; He maketh poor and maketh rich: the pillars of the earth are the Lord's. Their God is an infinitely holy God; there is none holy as the Lord.

And He is infinitely good and merciful. Many that others worship and serve as gods are cruel beings, spirits that seek the ruin of souls; but this is a God that delighteth in mercy; His grace is infinite and endures forever. He is love itself, an infinite fountain and ocean of it.

JONATHAN EDWARDS

Ko Ia ‘a e Tu’i Langilangi, ko Sihova Satai mo e Mafi, the Helo ia ‘o e fepaki: Ko e Maka Malohi mo e Taua Ma’olunga. ‘Oku ‘ikai ha ‘Otua ‘e tatau mo e ‘Otua ‘o Sesuluni, “ ‘oku ne hekasi he langi ‘i ho tokoni, Mo e ‘atā, kuo pehē hono lāngilangi.” Ko e ‘Otua ta’engata ko hotau Hufanga pea ‘oku ne kilala kitautolu ‘aki hono to’ukupu ta’engata. Ko e ‘Otua ‘oku ne pukepuke ‘a e me’a kotoa ‘i hono ‘aofinima, pea ne fai ‘a e me’a pe ‘oku hohoi ki ai hono finangalo. ‘Oku ne tamate’i pea ne toe fakamo’ui. ‘Oku ne ‘ohifo ki fonualoto pea ne toe ‘ohake. ‘Oku ne ngaohi ke masiva mo tu’umalie. Ko e ngaahi pou ‘o e ‘univeesi ‘oku ‘o Sihova. Ko honau ‘Otua, ko e ‘Otua ta’efakangatangata mo toputapu; ‘oku ‘ikai ke haohaoa ha taha ‘o tatau mo e ‘Otua. 

Ko e ‘Otua lelei ta’efakangatangata mo mohu meesi. ‘Oku lahi ‘a e ngaahi ‘otua kehe ‘oku tauhi ‘e he kakai, ko ‘oku ‘ikai te nau tokanga mai pea ‘oku mau tamate laumalie; ka ko e ‘Otua ko eni, ko hono mamana ‘a e fai meesi; ko ‘Ene kelesi ‘oku ta’efakangatangata pea tolonga ‘o ta’engata. Ko ‘ofa Ia, ko e fu’u moana mo e fauniteni ‘o e ‘ofa loloto.