Tu’apulelulu Ma’asi 31, 2022 

GREAT TO PERFORM YOUR DUTY

KAUKAUA KE FAKAHOKO HO FATONGIA

1 SAMUEL 17:37

And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!

1 SAMIUELA 17:37

Pea fai atu ‘e Tēvita ‘ene fakatau folofola, Ko Sihova na‘a ne hamusi au mei he pesipesi ‘o e laione mo e pesipesi ‘o e pea, ko ia ia te ne hamusi au mei he nima ‘o e Filisitia ko eni. Pea pehē ‘e Saula kia Tēvita, ‘Alu, pea ke ‘iate koe ‘a e ‘Eiki.

 

Sola Fide - Faith Alone - Ko e Tui´ pe    

Take care of your faith, because otherwise you cannot well perform your duty. Love can make the feet move more swiftly, but faith is the foot which carries the soul. Faith is the oil enabling the wheels of holy devotion and of earnest piety to move well. With faith I can do all things; without faith I shall neither have the inclination nor the power to do anything in the service of God.

If there are great battles and great works to do, there must be great faith. Assurance can carry mountains on its back; little faith stumbles at a molehill. Great faith, like Behemoth, can "snuff” Up Jordan at a draught. Little faith is drowned in a drop of rain: it beginneth to think of going back at the slightest trouble. Great faith can build temples; she can pile castles; she can preach the gospel; she can proclaim Christ's name before enemies; she can do all things, and if you would be great indeed, and serve your Master much, as I trust you will, you will seek increased faith!

CHARLES SPURGEON

Tokanga ki ho’o tui´, he ka ‘ikai, ‘e ‘ikai te ke lava ke fakahoko ho fatongia. Ko ‘ofa ‘oku ne fakavave’i ‘a e taulaka ‘a ho va’e, ka ko e tui, ‘a e va’e ‘oku ne fataki ho laumalie. Ko tui ‘a e lolo ‘oku ne fakafaingofua ‘a e vilo ‘a e ve’eteka ‘o e ngaue fakalotu mo ne faka’ai’ai ‘a e lotu ‘a e ma’oni’oni. Ko tui, ‘oku ou malava ai ‘a e me’a kotoa.; pea ka ‘ikai ha tui, ‘oku ‘ikai ha vekeveke pe ha ivi ke fai’aki ‘a e ngaue ‘a e ‘Otua.

Kapau ‘oku ‘i ai ha fepaki lahi mo ha ngaue kafakafa ke feia, pea kuo pau ke ‘i ai ha tui kafakafa ke tali ‘aki. Ko e loto pau’ia, te ne fafa ha mo’ua ‘i hono tu’a; ko e tui si’isi’i, ‘oku humu pe ia ‘i ha ki’i tafunga. Ko ha tui ‘oku lahi, ‘oku ne hange ha saieniti, ‘a ‘ene fusi hake ‘a Soatani hange pe ha me’a noa. Ko e tui si’i, ‘oku melemo pe ia ‘i ha tulutaa, pea ‘oku hola pe ia ‘i ha fakaene mai ha faingata’a. Ko e tui lahi, ‘oku ne langa temipale pea fokotu’utu’u kasolo; ‘oku ne malanga’i ‘a e kosipeli; ‘oku ne malanga’i ta’e toe ufi ‘a Kalaisi ki hono ngaahi fili; ‘oku ne malava ‘a e me’a kotoa. Pea kapau te ke fai ‘osikiavelenga ho’o ngaue ki ho ‘Eiki, te ke vivili ke fakalahi ho’o tui.

Puleulu Ma’asi 30, 2022

THE HINGE OF FAITH

KO E HINISI ‘O E TUI

ROMANS 5:1

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

ROMANS 5:1

KO ia, tau tuku ke fakatonuhia‘i kitautolu ‘i he tui, ka tau ma‘u melino ai mo e ‘Otua ‘i hotau ‘Eiki ko Sīsū Kalaisi;

 

Sola Fide - Faith Alone - Ko e Tui´ pe    

The principal hinge on which faith turns is this: we must not suppose that any promises of mercy which the Lord offers are only true out of us, and not at all in us; we should rather make them ours by inwardly embracing them. In this way only is engendered that confidence which He elsewhere terms "peace" (Romans 5:1); though perhaps He rather means to make peace follow from it.

This is the security which quiets and calms the conscience in the view of the judgment of God, and without which it is necessarily vexed and almost torn with tumultuous dread, unless when it happens to slumber for a moment, forgetful both of God and of itself. In one word, he only is a true believer who, firmly persuaded that God is reconciled, and is a kind Father to him, hopes everything from His kindness; who, trusting to the promises of the divine favor, with undoubting confidence anticipates salvation; as the apostle shows in these words: "We are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end” (Hebrews 3:14).

JOHN CALVIN

Ko e makatu’unga mahu’inga ‘o e tui´, ‘a eni: kuopau ke tau fakamo’oni, ‘oku ‘ikai ha palomesi ‘a e ‘Otua, ‘i he’ene anga’ofa´ ‘oku tupu mei ha’atau ngaue, pea ‘oku ‘ikai ke ‘iate kitautolu; ka kuopau ke tau ‘omi ia ‘aki ‘etau tali kakato ki he’etau mo’ui. Pea ‘i he founga ko ia, ‘e toki mo’oni ‘a e “melino” oku lau ki ai ‘a Loma 5:1; ‘Io, ko hono finangalo ke tafe ‘a e melino mei he mo’oni ko ia.

Ko e pau’ia eni ‘oku ne fakafiemalie hotau konisenisi ‘i he taimi ‘oku tau vakai ai ki he fakamaau ‘a e ‘Otua, he ka ‘ikai, ‘oku ta’emanonga pea fonu ‘i he manavahe lahi; tuku kehe kapau ‘e tule hifo ke mohe, pea ngalo ai ‘a e ‘Otua mo hono kita. ‘I he toe fakalea ‘e taha, ko e tui mo’oni, ‘a ia kuo ne fakapapau’i kuo ‘osi fakalelei ia ki he ‘Otua, pea kuo hoko ‘a e ‘Otua ko e Tamai ‘ofa kiate ia, pea ‘oku ne ‘amanaki ‘i he me’a kotoa koe’uhi ki he ngaahi angalelei ‘a ‘Ene ‘Afio; pea ‘oku ne falala ki he’ene ngaahi palomesi, pea ‘oku ‘ikai ha’ane tala’a te ne ma’u hono fakamo’ui; ‘o hange ko e lau ‘a e ‘aposetolo: “He kuo tau hoko ko e kau ‘inasi ‘ia Kalaisi, ‘o kapau ā ‘oku tau kuku ma‘u ‘o a‘u ki he ngata‘anga ‘a e lotopau na‘a tau kamata ‘aki” (Hepelu 3:14).

Tusite Ma’asi 29, 2022 

GRASPING FAITH

PUKE NIMA ‘A E TUI

ISAIAH 41:10

Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’'

‘AISEA 41:10

‘Oua ‘e manavahē, he ‘oku ou ‘iate koe ‘e au; ‘oua ‘e kilokilo holo, he ko ho ‘Otua au: te u poupou koe ‘e au; ‘io, te u tokoni kiate koe; ‘io, te u pukepuke koe ‘aki ‘a e to‘omata‘u ‘o ‘eku faitotonu.

 

Sola Fide - Faith Alone - Ko e Tui´ pe   

The faith which saves has its analogies in the human frame. It is the eye which looks. By the eye we bring into the mind that which is far away; we can bring the sun and the far-off stars into the mind by a glance of the eye. So by trust we bring the Lord Jesus near to us; and though He be far away in heaven, He enters into our heart. Only look to Jesus; for the hymn is strictly true: “There is life in a look at the Crucified One, there is life at this moment for thee."

Faith is the hand which grasps. When our hand takes hold of anything for itself, it does precisely what faith does when it appropriates Christ and the blessings of His redemption. Faith says, “Jesus is mine." Faith hears of the pardoning blood and cries, "I accept it to pardon me." Faith calls the legacies of the dying Jesus her own; and they are her own, for faith is Christ's heir; He has given Himself and all that He has to faith.

CHARLES SPURGEON

Ko e tui ‘oku fakamo’ui´ ‘oku ma’u hono fakatātāa´ ‘i he sino ‘o e tangata. Ko e mata´ ‘oku malava ai ‘a e sio´. ‘Oku ‘omi ‘e he mata´ ki he ‘atamai´ ‘a e me’a ‘oku mama’o ‘aupito; ‘oku malava ke tau fusi mai ‘a e la’aa´ mo e ngaahi fetu’u mama’o fau´ ki hotau ‘atamai, ‘aki ‘etau fo’i hanga hake pe ki ai´. Ko ia ai, ko e ‘etau falala´, ‘oku ne ‘omi ‘a e ‘Eiki ko Sisuu´ ke ofi kiate kitautolu; pea neongo ‘oku ne mama’o meiate kitautolu ‘i hevani, ka ‘oku ne hufia hotau loto. Hanga hake pe kia Sisu; he ‘oku mo’oni ‘a e himi:  “‘Oku ‘i ai ‘a e mo’ui ‘i he’ete hanga hake kiate Ia na’e kalusefai, ‘oku ‘i ai ‘a e mo’ui he momeniti ni ma’au.”

Ko e tui´, ko e nima ‘oku ne ala atu ke ma’u mai. Ko e taimi ‘oku ala ai hotau nima ke to’o mai ha me’a, ko e ngaue ia ‘oku fai ‘e he tui, ‘i he taimi ‘oku ne ala atu ai kia Kalaisi mo e ngaahi tapuaki ‘o e ‘Ene huhu’i. ‘Oku pehe mai ‘e he tui, “ ‘Oku ‘a’aku ‘a Sisu.” ‘Oku fanongo ‘a Tui ki he fakamolemole ‘o e ta’ata’a, pea ne kalanga, “ ‘Oku ou tali ia ke fakamolemole’i au.” ‘Oku lau ‘e tui ‘a e ngaahi mamahi ‘o e pekia ‘a Sisu, ko hono fakakoloa; pea ‘oku ‘a’ana ia, ko e ‘ea ia ‘o Kalaisi; Kuo ne foaki ‘e ia Ia mo e koloa ‘oku ‘A’ana ma’ae tui.

Monite Ma’asi 28, 2022

CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM

KO E HAKO ‘O ‘EPALAHAME

GALATIANS 3:7

Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.

GALATIANS 3:7

Ko ia, ‘oku mou vakai mei ai, ‘Ilonga ‘a kinautolu ‘oku ‘i he tui, ko kinautolu ia ‘a e hako ‘o ‘Epalahame.

 

Sola Fide - Faith Alone - Ko e Tui´ pe   

Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are children of Abraham. This is the main point of Paul’s argument against the Jews: the children of Abraham are those who believe and not those who are born of Abraham's flesh and blood. This point Paul drives home with all his might because the Jews attached saving value to the genealogical fact: "We are the seed and children of Abraham."

Let us begin with Abraham and learn how this friend of God was justified and saved. Not because he left his country, his relatives, his father's house; not because he was circumcised; not because he stood ready to sacrifice his own son Isaac, in whom he had the promise of posterity. Abraham was justified because he believed.

Paul's argumentation runs like this: "Since this is the unmistakable testimony of Holy Writ, why do you take your stand upon circumcision and the Law? Was not Abraham, your father, of whom you make so much, justified and saved without circumcision and the Law by faith alone?" Paul therefore concludes: "They which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham."

MARTIN LUTHER

Ko ia ke mou ‘ilo ko kinautolu ‘oku ‘i he tui, koe fānau ‘akinautolu ‘a ‘Epalahame. Ko e konga mahu’inga eni ‘o e tali ‘a Paula ki he kakai Siu: Ko hako ‘o ‘Epalahame ‘a kinautolu pe ‘oku tui, ‘o ‘ikai ko kinautolu na’a nau fanau’i mei he kakano mo e toto ‘o ‘Epalahame. Na’e matu’aki tokanga ‘a Paula ke mahino ‘a e fo’i mo’oni ko eni, he na’e lau ‘e he kau Siu, ‘enau ma’u ‘a e fakamo’ui ki he’enau piki fakatoto kia ‘Epalahame: “Ko kimautolu ‘a e tupu’anga ‘o e hako ‘o ‘Epalahame.”

Ta u kamata ‘ia ‘Epalahame ke tau ako pe na’e anga fe fe ‘a hono fakatonuhia’i mo fakamo’ui ‘a e kaume’a ko eni ‘o e ‘Otua. Na’e ‘ikai ko ‘ene hiki mei hono fonua, mo hono kakai, mo e fale ‘o ‘ene tamai; na’e ‘ikai ko hono kamu ia; na’e ‘ikai ko ‘ene teuteu ke feilaulau’i ‘a hono foha ko ‘Aisake, ‘a ee na’e palomesi ‘e tupu ai hono hako. Na’e fakatonuhia’i ‘a ‘Epalahame ‘i he’ene tui.

Ko e poini eni na’e feinga ‘a Paula fakamahino’i: “Koe’uhi ko e fakamo’oni ta’e toe veiveiua eni ‘a e Tohitapu, ko e ha ‘oku mou kei fakafalala ai ki he kamu mo e Lao? ‘Ikai ko ‘Epalahame ho’o mou kui, ‘oku mou polepole ‘aki, na’e fakatonuhia’i mo fakamo’ui ia ‘o ‘ikai kau ai kamu mo e Lao, ka ko e tui?” Pea ko e aofangatuku ‘a Paula ‘a eni: “‘Ilonga ‘a kinautolu ‘oku ‘i he tui, ko kinautolu ia ‘a e hako ‘o ‘Epalahame.”

Sapate Ma’asi 27, 2022 

AN INCREASE OF FAITH

KE FAKALAHI MAI HO’O TUI

MATTHEW 8:26

And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.

MATIU 8:26

Pea pehē ‘e ia kiate kinautolu, ‘a e kau tui vaivai, ko e hā ‘oku mou lotosi‘i ai? Pea ne toki tu‘u ‘o lolomi ‘a e matangi mo e tahi, pea na‘e hoko ha tofu lahi.

 

Sola Fide - Faith Alone - Ko e Tui´ pe    

How can we obtain an increase of faith? This is a very earnest question to many. They say they want to believe, but cannot. A great deal of nonsense is talked upon this subject. Let us be strictly practical in our dealing with it. Common sense is as much needed in religion as anywhere else. "What am I to do in order to believe?" One who was asked the best way to do a certain simple act replied that the best way to do it was to do it at once. We waste time in discussing methods when the action is simple. The shortest way to believe is to believe.

If the Holy Spirit has made you candid, you will believe as soon as truth is set before you. You will believe it because it is true. The Gospel command is clear: "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). The order is plain; let it be obeyed. But still, if you have difficulty, take it before God in prayer. Tell the great Father exactly what it is that puzzles you, and beg Him by His Holy Spirit to solve the question.

CHARLES SPURGEON

‘E lava fē fē ke ke fakatupu ‘etau tui? Ko e fehu’i mahu’inga eni ki he tokolahi. ‘Oku nau talamai ‘oku nau fie tui, ka ‘oku ‘ikai te nau lava. ‘Oku toe lahi pe mo e ngaahi fakamatala noa’ia kau ki he kaveinga ko eni. Tuku ke tau fai ha lau fakamatoato mo mo’oni ki ai. Ko e founga ‘oku mahino ngofua ki he fakakaukau ‘oku fiema’u ke tau ngaue’aki, ‘o tatau pe ‘i he me’a fakalotu mo ha toe mala’e. “Ko e hā ‘eku me‘a ke fai ke u mo‘ui?” (Ngaue 16:29). Na’e fehu’i ange ki ha tokotaha pe ko e ha ‘a e founga lelei taha ki hono fai’aki ‘o ha fo’i ngaue, pea ne tali, ko hono fai leva ‘a e fo’i ngaue ko ia, ‘oua toe tatali. ‘Oku toe fakamole taimi hono talanoa’i ‘a e founga ngaue´, ka ko e ngaue´ ia ‘oku faingofua pe hono fakahoko. Ko e founga nounou taha ki he tui, ko e tui leva.

Kapau kuo faka’ā ‘e he Laumalie´ koe, te ke tui pe ‘i he taimi kuo tuku atu ai ‘a e mo’oni´ kiate koe. Te ke tui ki ai he ‘oku mo’oni. ‘Oku pau mo mahino ‘aupito ‘a e fekau ‘a e Kosipeli: “Tui falala ni ki he ‘Eiki ko Sīsū, pea te ke mo‘ui, ‘a koe mo ho fale” (Ngaue 16:31). Ko e tu’utu’uni ‘oku mahino; talangofua leva ki ai. Ka ‘okapau ‘oku ke kei faingata’aia pe ai, ‘ave ki he ‘Otua´ ‘i he lotu. Tala hangatonu ki he Tamai´ ‘a e me’a ‘oku ke tāla’a ai´, pea ke kole fakamatoato ki Hono Laumalie Ma’oni’oni´ ke ne solova ho’o tāla’aa´.

Tokonaki Ma’asi 26, 2022 

HEIRS BY FAITH

KAUNGĀ ‘EA ‘I HE TUI

ROMANS 8:17

and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

LOMA 8:17

Pea kapau ko e fānau, tā ko e ngaahi ‘ea foki, ko e ngaahi ‘ea ‘o e ‘Otua, pea kaungā ‘ea mo Kalaisi; ‘o kapau ā ‘oku tau kaungā mamahi mo ia, ka tau kaungā hākeaki‘i foki mo ia.

 

Sola Fide - Faith Alone - Ko e Tui´ pe    

We may infer that those who so persistently demand a reward for their works, and say that they will cease working the works of God if no reward awaits the works, have the souls of slaves. For slaves work for reward only. But they that have faith are untiring in the work of God, like the son of the house. He has not merited by works his being the heir of the estate; but when he was born, he was the heir of his father's possessions through birth, not through merit. And when he is untiring in work, he does not demand a reward, for he knows that all things are his.

So the sons of God who have faith know that by divine birth, that is, the birth of the Spirit, and by free election they are sons of God, not slaves. Since then, they are sons of the house, they ask not what reward awaits them, for all things are ours. Freely, therefore, gladly, and without weariness they labor, indeed there is no work so great that they do not believe it is accomplished by His power in whom we trust, not by our own.

ULRICH ZWINGLI

Te tau lava pe ke pehee, ko kinautolu ‘oku nau ‘eke totongi ‘o ‘enau ngaue, pea nau talamai ‘e ‘ikai ke toe hoko atu ‘enau ngaue´ kapau ‘oku ‘ikai ha totongi ‘oku tali mai ki he ngaue ‘oku nau fai, ‘oku nau ma’u ‘a e laumalie ‘o e kau popula. He ko e kau popula´, ‘oku nau ngaue pe ki he totongi. Ka ko kinautolu ‘oku nau ma’u ‘a e tui, ‘oku nau fai ‘osikiavelenga ‘a e ngaue ‘a e ‘Otua, ‘o taau mo e foha ‘o e ‘api. Na’e ‘ikai te ne ngaue’i ‘a ‘ene hoko koe ‘ea ki he tofi’a; ka ‘i he taimi na’e fa’ele’i mai ai´, na’a ne hoko koe ‘ea ki he koloa kotoa ‘o ‘ene tamai ‘o fou ‘i hono fanau’i mai ia, ‘o ‘ikai ko ha ngaue na’a ne fai. Pea ‘i he taimi ‘oku ne ngaue ‘osikiavelenga ai, ‘oku ‘ikai te ne ‘eke totongi, he ‘oku ne ‘ilo, ‘oku ‘a’ana ‘a e me’a kotoa.

Ko ia ai, ko e ngaahi foha ‘o e ‘Otua, ‘a ē ‘oku nau tui´, ‘oku nau ‘ilo ko honau fanau’i faka-langi´, ‘a e fanau’i fo’ou ‘e he Laumalie´, pea mo e fili’i  tau’ataina kinautolu´, ko e ngaahi foha kinautolu ‘o e ‘Otua, ‘o ‘ikai ko ha kau popula. Mei he fo’i momeniti ko ia´, ko e ngaahi foha kinautolu ‘o e ‘api, ‘oku ‘ikai te nau ‘eke pe ko e ha ‘a e totongi te nau ma’u, he ‘oku ‘onautolu ‘a e me’a kotoa. Pea ‘i he’ene pehee, ‘i he loto tau’ataina kakato mo hangamalie, ‘oku nau ngaue fie ngaue he ‘oku ‘ikai ha fakaongosia. ‘Oku nau tui ‘oku ‘ikai ha ngaue lahi ‘oku nau ta’emalava ‘i he ivi ‘o ‘Ene ‘Afio, ‘a Ia ‘oku tau fakatetu’a ki ai, ‘o ‘ikai ‘i hotau ivi fakaetangata.

Falaite Ma’asi 25, 2022

FAITH LOOKS TO CHRIST

KO E TUI´ ‘OKU SIO KIA KALAISI

HABAKKUK 2:4

The enemy is puffed up; his desires are not uprightbut the righteous person will live by his faithfulness.

HAPAKUKI 2:4

Vakai, ko e mafi ia; ‘oku ‘ikai tu‘u totonu ‘a e loto ‘oku ‘iate ia: ka ko e mā‘oni‘oni te ne mo‘ui mei he‘ene tui.

 

Sola Fide - Faith Alone - Ko e Tui´ pe    

The true Gospel has it that we are justified by faith alone, without the deeds of the Law. The false gospel has it that we are justified by faith, but not without the deeds of the Law. The false apostles preached a conditional gospel. So do the papists. They admit that faith is the foundation of salvation. But they add the conditional clause that faith can save only when it is furnished with good works. This is wrong. The true Gospel declares that good works are the embellishment of faith, but that faith itself is the gift and work of God in our hearts.

Faith is able to justify because it apprehends Christ, the Redeemer. Human reason can think only in terms of the Law. It mumbles, "This I have done, this I have not done." But faith looks to Jesus Christ, the Son of God, given into death for the sins of the whole world. To turn one's eyes away from Jesus means to turn them to the Law. True faith lays hold of Christ and leans on Him alone.

MARTIN LUTHER

Ko e Kosipeli mo’oni, ‘oku ne talamai, ‘oku fakatonuhia’i kitautolu ‘e he tui´ ‘ata’atā pe, ‘o ta’e kau ai ‘a e ngaue ‘a e Lao. Ko e Kosipeli loi´, ‘oku ne talamai ‘oku fakatonuhia’i kitautolu ‘e he tui´, ka kuopau ke tanaki ki ai ‘a e ngaue ‘a e Lao. ‘Oku malanga’i ‘e he Kosipeli loi´ ‘a e kosipeli ‘oku ‘i ai hono ngaahi makatu’unga. ‘Oku pehe pe mo e tui ‘a e ha’a Tu’i Tapu. ‘Oku nau talamai, ko e tui´, ‘a e makatu’unga ‘o e fakamo’ui. Ka ‘oku nau tanaki mai ‘a e makatu’unga ko eni, ‘oku toki malava pe ‘a e tui´ ke fakamo’ui ‘o kapau ‘oku kau ki ai ‘a e ngaue lelei. ‘Oku hala eni. Ko e Kosipeli mo’oni´, ‘oku talamai, ko e ngaue lelei´ ko e fua ia ‘o e tui, ka ko e tui ‘oku fakamo’ui, ko e me’a’ofa mo e ngaue pe ia ‘a e ‘Otua ‘i hotau ngaahi loto.

‘Oku malava ‘a e TUI ‘o fakamo’ui, he ‘oku ne piki kia Kalaisi, ko e Huhu’i. Ko e fakakaukau ‘a e tangata´ ‘oku tu’u pe ia ‘i he tu’unga ‘o e Lao. ‘Oku ne ngongohe mai, “Kuo u ‘osi fai ‘a ē, ka ‘oku te’eki te u fai ‘a ē.” Ka ‘oku sio ‘a e tui´ ia kia Sisu Kalaisi, ‘Alo ‘o e ‘Otua, na’e feia koe’uhi ko e anagahala ‘a mamani kotoa. Kapau ‘oku sio kehe ha taha meia Sisu, ‘oku ne hanga leva ia ki he Lao. Ko e Tui mo’oni, ‘oku ne pipiki kia Kalaisi pea ne falala kakato kiate Ia tokotaha pe.

Tu’apulelulu Ma’asi 24, 2022 

FAITH PROVIDES THE MIGHT OF GOD

KO E TUI ‘OKU FOU MAI AI E IVI ‘O E ‘OTUA

PSALM 18:29

With your help I can advance against a troop: with my God I can scale a wall.

SAAME 18:29

Seuke te u ‘ohofia ha kongakau ‘i he ‘Afiona, Te u hopokia ha puke ‘i he kau ‘a hoku ‘Otua.

He ko e me’a ‘iate Koe na‘aku halaua ‘a e tau ‘o hao; pea ‘i hoku ‘Otua´ ne u puna kitu’a ‘i he ā maka (Uesi)

 

Sola Fide - Faith Alone - Ko e Tui´ pe    

Faith links me with divinity. Faith clothes me with the robes of deity. Faith engages on my side the omnipotence of Jehovah. Faith gives me the might of God, for it ensures that power on my behalf. It gives me to defy the hosts of hell. It makes me march triumphant over the necks of my enemies. But without faith, how can I receive anything of the Lord? Let not him that wavereth—who is like a wave of the sea-expect that he will receive anything of God!

O then, Christians, watch well thy faith; for with it thou canst win all things, however poor thou art, but without it thou canst obtain nothing. It is said of Midas that he had the power to turn everything into gold by the touch of his hand; and it is true of faith - it can turn everything into gold. But destroy faith, we have lost our all; we are miserably poor, because we can hold no fellowship with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.

CHARLES SPURGEON

‘Oku fakahoko ‘e he tui´ au ki he mo’ui faka-’Otua. ‘Oku fakakofu au ‘e he tui´ ‘aki ‘a e pulupulu ‘o e ‘Otua. ‘Oku hilifaki ‘e he tui´ au ‘a e mafimafi ‘o Sihova. ‘Oku ‘omi ‘e he tui´ ‘a e malohi ‘a e ‘Otua, ke poupou hake au. ‘Oku ne fakaivia au ke u tali teke’i ‘a e kongakau ‘o heli. ‘Oku ne ‘omi ‘a e loto lahi ke u laka atu ‘i he ikuna ke tamoloki ‘a e kia ‘o hoku ngaahi fili. Ka ‘okapau ‘oku ‘ikai te u ma’u ia, te u ma’u fe fe ha me’a mei he ‘Otua? Ke ‘oua na’a pehee ‘e ia ‘oku lotoloto ua, ‘o hange ko e limu tu’u ‘i he ‘au, te ne ma’u ha me’a mei he ‘Otua.

Ko ia ai Kalisitiane, matu’aki tokanga ki ho’o tui; ‘i ho’o ma’u ia, te ke lava ‘a e me’a kotoa, neongo pe ko e ha ho tu’unga; ka ‘o kapau ‘oku ke hala ‘i he tui, ‘e ‘ikai te ke lava ha me’a. ‘Oku pehee, he talatupu’a ‘o Maitasi, na’a ne ma’u ‘a e mafai ke liliu koula ‘a e me’a kotoa pe na’e ala ki ai. ‘Oku tatau pe eni mo e tui - ‘oku ne liliu ‘a e me’a kotoa ke koula. Pea ka ka’anga ‘a e tui´, pea ‘e mole hono kotoa. Pea ko ‘etau toki tō ia ki he masiva ‘ango’ango´, ko e ‘ikai te tau lava ke feohi mo e Tamai´ mo hono ‘Alo ko Sisu Kalaisi.

Puleulu Ma’asi 23, 2022 

FAITH AND KNOWLEDGE

KO E TUI MO E ‘ILO

JOHN 17:3

This is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

SIONE 17:3

Pea ko eni ia ‘a e mo‘ui ta‘engata, ke nau fai ke ‘ilo koe ko e ‘Otua mo‘onia pē taha, pea mo Sīsū ne ke fekau mai ko e Mīsaia.

 

Sola Fide - Faith Alone - Ko e Tui´ pe    

Faith consists in the knowledge of God and Christ, not in reverence for the church. Sometimes even the most monstrous errors (are) received by the ignorant as oracles without any discrimination, provided they are prescribed to them under the name of the church. This inconsiderate facility, though the surest precipice to destruction, is, however, excused on the ground that it believes nothing definitely, but only with the appended condition, if such is the faith of the church. Thus they pretend to find truth in error, light in darkness, true knowledge in ignorance.

Not to dwell longer in refuting these views, we simply advise the reader to compare them with ours. The clearness of truth will itself furnish a sufficient refutation. For the question they raise is not whether there may be an implicit faith with many remains of ignorance, but they maintain that persons living and even indulging in a stupid ignorance duly believe, provided, in regard to things unknown, they assent to the authority and judgment of the church; as if Scripture did not uniformly teach, that with faith understanding is conjoined.

JOHN CALVIN

Ko e tui´ ‘oku fakava’e’aki ‘a e ‘ilo ki he ‘Otua mo Sisu Kalaisi, ‘o ‘ikai ko e fakaongoongo pe ki he lau ‘a e siasi. ‘Oku lahi ‘a e taimi, ko e ngaahi fehalaaki lahi ‘oku fou hangatonu mai mei he ngaahi tu’utu’uni ‘a e siasi, ka ‘oku ‘ikai toe fehu’ia. ‘Oku mahu’inga ke fakapapau’i ‘e he kalisitiane´, ‘a e me’a ‘oku ne tui ki ai´ ‘o ‘ikai ke falala pe ki ha tala ‘a e siasi pe kauataha lotu ‘oku kau ki ai. Taimi lahi, ‘oku nau pehee ‘oku mo’oni ‘a e me’a ‘oku ma’u mei he tokateline hala, maama mei he fakapo’uli, mo e ‘ilo mo’oni mei he fakapo’uli faka’atamai.

‘Oku mahu’inga ke sivi ‘a e ngaahi tui ke ‘ilo ‘a e me’a ‘oku mo’oni´, hangē ko e kau Pelea; “Pea na‘e anga faka‘ei‘eiki ange ‘a e kakai ni ‘iate kinautolu ‘i Tesalonaika, he na‘a nau tali loto lelei ‘aupito ‘a e folofola, ‘o nau kumi ‘i he Tohitapu ‘i he ‘aho kotoa pē ‘a e mo‘oni ‘o e ngaahi me‘a ko ia” (Ngaue 17:11). Ko e mo’oni´, ‘oku ne tali pe ‘e ia ‘a e ngaahi fehu’i mei he ‘atakai. Ko e palopalema, ‘a hono ‘ohake ‘a e lau ‘a e siasi´ ke ma’olunga ia ‘i he mo’oni kuo ‘osi fakamahino ‘i he Folofola. Pea ko e tui´, ‘oku ne fakaake ‘a e maama ke tau vivili ki he ‘ilo´.

Tusite Ma’asi 22, 2022

FAITH MAKETH ALIVE

KO TUI ‘OKU NGAOHI KE MO’UI

ROMANS 4:7

Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

LOMA 4:7

Monū‘ia ā ka ko e kakai kuo fakamolemole ‘enau ngaahi talangata‘a, Pea ‘u‘ufi ‘enau ngaahi angahala.

 

Sola Fide - Faith Alone - Ko e Tui´ pe   

It is best to hear the testimonies out of the Scriptures. Faith maketh us happy. For to Saint Peter, confessing the Lord Jesus by true faith, it is said: "Happy art thou, Simon, the son of Jonas. Flesh and blood hath not revealed this to thee, but my Father which is in heaven." Saint Paul, for the proof of faith, bringeth in that sentence of David: "Happy are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall impute no sin." Faith quickeneth or maketh alive. For "the just liveth by faith.” This doth Paul very often in his writings allege out of the prophets.

The same Paul also saith: "The life which now I live in flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Faith joineth us to the eternal and chief goodness, and so maketh us to enjoy the chief goodness, that God may dwell in us and we in God.

MARTIN LUTHER

‘Oku lelei ma’u ange pe ‘etau fanongo ki he fakamatala ‘a e Folofola. Ko e tui´ ‘oku fakatupu ‘a e loto fiefia ‘iate kitautolu. He ko e tali malie na’e fai ‘e Pita fekau’aki mo hono ‘Eiki ko Sisu ‘aki ‘ene tui mo’oni, pea na’e folofola ai ‘a Sisu, “Ha monū‘ia ā ka ko koe, ‘e Saimone Pāsiona: he ‘oku ‘ikai ko e kakano mo toto na‘e fukefuke kiate koe, ka ko ‘eku Tamai ‘oku ‘i Hēvani” (Matiu 16:17). Na’e ‘omi foki ‘e Paula ‘a e fakamo’oni ki he tui, he’ene to’o mai ‘a e lau ‘a Tevita: “MONŪ‘IA Ā ka ko e toko taha. Kuo fakamolemole ‘ene talangata‘a, Kuo ‘ufi‘ufi ‘ene faihala. Monū‘ia ā ka ko e tangata, ‘Oku ‘ikai lau hia ki ai ‘e Sihova, (Saame 32:1-2). ‘Oku fokotu’u ‘e tui mei he mate - ‘Oku NGAOHI ke MO’UI. ‘Io, “ka ko e mā‘oni‘oni te ne mo‘ui mei he‘ene tui” (Hapakuki 2:4). Ko e mo’oni eni ‘oku toutou ‘omi ‘e Paula mei he kau palofita.

Ko Paula pe foki na’a ne pehee: “‘io, ko e mo‘ui ‘oku ou fai ‘eni ‘i he kakano ko e mo‘ui ‘i he tui, ko e tui ki he ‘Alo ‘o e ‘Otua, ‘a ia na‘a ne ‘ofeina au, mo ne foaki ia ‘e ia ke pekia koe‘uhi ko au” (Kaletia 2:20). Ko e tui ‘oku ne fakakau kitautolu ki he lelei ma’olunga taha mo lau’itaniti, pea ne ‘ave kitautolu ke tau ‘inasi ‘i he fiefia ‘o e lelei taupotu ko ia, ‘a eni: ‘oku tau nofoma’u ‘i he ‘Otua mo e ‘Otua ‘iate kitautolu.