Tu’apulelulu ‘Epeleli 7, 2022

FAITH TAKES HOLD OF CHRIST

‘OKU PIKI ‘A E TUI KIA KALAISI

GALATIANS 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

KALETIA 2:20

Kuo tutuki au ki he Kolosi mo Kalaisi: pea ko ‘eku mo‘ui ‘oku fai, ‘oku ‘ikai kei ko au, ka ko e mo‘ui ‘oku fai ‘e Kalaisi ‘iate au: ‘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.

 

Sola Fide - Faith Alone - Ko e Tui´ pe    

In order to have faith you must paint a true portrait of Christ. The scholastics caricature Christ into a judge and tormentor. But Christ is no lawgiver. He is the Lifegiver. He is the Forgiver of sins. You must believe that Christ might have atoned for the sins of the world with one single drop of His blood. Instead, He shed His blood abundantly in order that He might give abundant satisfaction for our sins.

Here let me say that these three things—faith, Christ, and imputation of righteousness—are to be joined together. Faith takes hold of Christ. God accounts this faith for righteousness. This imputation of righteousness we need very much, because we are far from perfect. As long as we have this body, sin will dwell in our flesh. Then, too, we sometimes drive away the Holy Spirit; we fall into sin, like Peter, David, and other holy men. Nevertheless we may always take recourse to this fact, “that our sins are covered" and that “God will not lay them to our charge."

MARTIN LUTHER

Kimu’a pea ke ma’u ‘a e tui totonu, kuopau ke ke ma’u ‘a e ‘ata mo’oni ‘o Kalaisi. ‘Oku tuku mai ‘e he kau mataotao faka-’atamai, ha Kalaisi ko ha fakamaau mo ha fakamamahi. ‘Oku ‘ikai ko ha tokotaha foaki lao pe ‘a Kalaisi. Ko Ia ‘a e Foaki-mo’ui. Ko Ia ‘a e Fakamolemole ‘o e angahala. Mahalo na’a ke pehee na’e huhu’i ‘e Kalaisi ‘a e angahala ‘a mamani ‘aki ha fo’i tulutaa toto pe. Ka, na’e tafe hono ta’ata’a ke fe’unga mo lato kotoa ai ‘a e tu’utu’uni ki he’etau ngaahi angahala.

Ko e ngaahi me’a ni ‘e tolu: Tui, Kalaisi mo e ma’oni’oni ne tuku mai - ‘oku fakataha’i kinautolu. ‘Oku piki ‘a e tui kia Kalaisi. ‘Oku lau ‘e he ‘Otua ‘a e tui ko eni ko e ma’oni’oni. Ko e ma’oni’oni ‘oku tuku mai, ‘oku fu’u mahu’inga fau pea tau fiema’u, koe’uhi, he ‘oku tau mama’o fau mei he haohaoa. Lolotonga ‘etau kei ‘i he sino ko eni, ‘oku kei nofo pe ‘a e angahala ‘i hotau kakano. Pea ‘i he’ene pehee, ‘oku tau fa’a teke’i ‘a e Laumalie Ma’oni’oni; ‘oku tau to ki he angahala, hange ko Pita, Tevita mo e kau ma’oni’oni. Ka te tau kei tu’u pe ‘i he mo’oni ko eni, “ ‘oku ‘osi ‘ufi’ufi ‘etau angahala” pea ‘e “ ‘ikai toe lau ia ‘e he ‘Otua kiate kitautolu.”

Pulelulu ‘Epeleli 6, 2022

FAITH BRINGS BLESSINGS

‘OKU ‘OMI ‘E TUI ‘A E NGAAHI TAPUAKI

HEBREWS 4:16

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

HEPELU 4:16

Ko ia, ke tau ‘unu‘unu atu mālohi ai ki he taloni ‘o kelesi, ke tau ma‘u meesi, mo tau ta‘imālie ha kelesi ke tokoni mai.

 

Sola Fide - Faith Alone - Ko e Tui´ pe    

Christian, take good care of thy faith, for recollect faith is the only way whereby thou canst obtain blessings. If we want blessings from God, nothing can fetch them down except faith. Prayer cannot draw down answers from God's throne except it is the earnest prayer of the man who believes. Faith is the ladder on which my soul must walk to ascend to heaven. If I break that ladder, how can I ever approach my God?

Faith is the angelic messenger between the soul and heaven. Let that angel be withdrawn, I can neither send prayer up nor receive the answers down. Faith is the telegraphic wire which links earth and heaven-on which God's blessings move so fast that before we call He answers, and while we are yet speaking He hears us. But if that telegraphic wire of faith be snapped, how can we receive the promise? Am I in trouble? I can obtain help for trouble by faith. Am I beaten about by the enemy? My soul on that dear Refuge leans by faith.

CHARLES SPURGEON

‘E Kalisitiane, tokanga’i lelei ho’o tui, he tui, ‘a e founga ‘oku tau ma’u ai ‘a e ngaahi tapuaki. Kapau ‘oku tau fiema’u ha tapuaki mei he ‘Otua, ‘oku ‘ikai ha toe founga, ka ko e tui pe. ‘Oku ‘ikai lava ‘e he lotu, ke ‘omi ha tali mei he taloni ‘o e ‘Otua, ka ko e lotu malohi pe ‘a e tangata tui. Ko tui, ‘a e tu’unga ‘oku kaka ai ‘a hoku laumalie ki langi. Pea ka maumau ‘a e tu’unga ko ia, te u lava fe fe ai ke fotu ki he ‘Otua?

Ko TUI ko e ‘angelo talafekau ‘a hoku laumalie mo loto hevani. Pea ka puli ‘a e ‘angelo ko eni, ‘e lava fe fe ke ‘ohake ‘eku lotu ki langi pe ‘ohifo kiate au ‘a e tali. Ko TUI ‘a e uaea fetu’utaki ‘oku ne fakahoko ‘a mamani mo langi - pea ‘oku ma’u fakataha ai ‘a e ngaahi tapuaki ‘a e ‘Otua mo vave, he ‘oku te’eki ke ‘ohake ‘etau lotu, kuo ne tali mai lolotonga ‘oku tau kei fai ‘a e lotu. Ka ‘oka motu ‘a e laine, te tau ma’u fe fe ‘a e tali ki he palomesi? Te u to nai ai ki ha faingata’a? Te u ma’u pe ha tokoni ‘i he tui. ‘Oku loki nai au ‘e hoku ngaahi fili? ‘E hoku laumalie, ‘oku ‘i ai ho hufanga, kapau te ke falala kakato pe ‘i ho’o tui. 

Tusite ‘Epeleli 5, 2022 

FAITH IN GOD'S LOVE

TUI KI HE ‘OFA ‘A E ‘OTUA

HEBREWS 12:6

For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.

HEPELU 12:6

He ko ia ia ‘oku ‘ofa ki ai ‘a e ‘Eiki, ‘a ia ‘oku ne kinisi; ‘io, ‘oku ne taa‘i ‘a e foha takitaha ‘oku ne ma‘u.

 

Sola Fide - Faith Alone - Ko e Tui´ pe    

Whether adverse circumstances betoken the wrath of God, or conscience finds the subject and matter within itself, unbelief thence draws weapons and engines to put faith to flight, the aim of all its efforts being to make us think that God is adverse and hostile to us, and thus, instead of hoping for any assistance from Him, to make us dread Him as a deadly foe.

To withstand these assaults, faith arms and fortifies itself with the Word of God. When the temptation suggested is that God is an enemy because He afflicts, faith replies that while He afflicts He is merciful, His chastening proceeding more from love than anger. To the thought that God is the Avenger of wickedness, it opposes the pardon ready to be bestowed on

all offences whenever the sinner retakes himself to the divine mercy. Thus the pious mind, how much soever it may be agitated and torn, at length rises superior to all difficulties, and allows not its confidence in the divine mercy to be destroyed. Nay, rather, the disputes which exercise and disturb it tend to establish this confidence.

JOHN CALVIN

Neongo pe ‘oku ngali ko ha faingata’a pe ‘ahi’ahi, ne hoko mai ai ‘a e houhau ‘a e ‘Otua, pe ko ha me’a fakaeloto pe ia, ‘oku hanga ‘e he veiveiua ‘o fakamahafuko kita ke te situ’a mei he ‘ete tui. Ko e taumu’a ‘a e kakano mo e fili ke fakalotoa kita ke te fakakaukau ‘oku houhau mai ‘a e ‘Otua kiate kitautolu, pea ‘oku ne fakafepaki’i kitautolu ‘o ‘ikai ko ha hufanga mo ha tokoni, ka ko e fili ke tamate’i kitautolu.

‘Oku hoko mai leva ‘a TUI ke ne fakateunga kitautolu ‘aki ‘a e Folofola ‘a e ‘Otua. ‘I he taimi ‘oku tau pehee ai ‘oku fakafepaki’i kitautolu ‘e he ‘Otua, koe’uhi ko e ngaahi faingata’a ‘oku tau tofanga ai, ‘oku talamai ‘e TUI, neongo ‘oku taa’i kitautolu, ka ‘oku ne kei fai meesi pe. Ko ‘Ene tautea, ko e ‘ofa ‘o ‘ikai ko e houhau. Ko e fakakaukau ‘oku taku ko e taukapo ia ‘oku kai fai kovi, ‘oku fengahangai ia mo fakamolemole ‘oku ma’u ‘e he kau angahala ‘i he taimi ‘oku nau tangi ai ki he’ene meesi. Ko ia ai, ko e mo’ui ‘a e tokotaha lotu mo’oni, neongo pe na’e lahi fe fe ‘a e faingata’a mo e tautea ne hoko mai, ‘oku ‘ikai ue’i ‘ene falala ki he meesi ‘a e ‘Otua. Pea ‘oku hoko pe ‘a e ngaahi fakatanga mo e faingata’a ke toe fakamalohi’i ‘a ‘ene tui.

Monite ‘Epeleli 4, 2022 

CLING TO CHRIST

PIKITAI KIA KALAISI

ROMANS 1:17

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, The righteous shall live by faith.

LOMA 1:17

He ‘oku fakae‘a ‘i ai ha mā‘oni‘oni mei he ‘Otua, ‘oku kamata mei he tui, pea iku ki he tui; ‘o hangē ko e Folofola, Ko e mā‘oni‘oni te ne mo‘ui mei he tui.

 

Sola Fide - Faith Alone - Ko e Tui´ pe   

 

Thousands of God's people have no more faith than this: they know enough to cling to Jesus with all their heart and soul, and this suffices for present peace and eternal safety. Jesus Christ is to them a Savior strong and mighty, a Rock immovable and immutable; they cling to Him for dear life, and this clinging saves them.

Reader, cannot you cling? Do so at once. Faith is seen when one man relies upon another from a knowledge of the superiority of the other. This is a higher faith: the faith which knows the reason for its dependence, and acts upon it. I do not think the limpet [aquatic snail] knows much about the rock: but as faith grows it becomes more and more intelligent. A blind man trusts himself with his guide because he knows that his friend can see, and, trusting, he walks where his guide conducts him. If the poor man is born blind he does not know what sight is; but he knows that there is such a thing as sight, and that it is possessed by his friend and therefore he freely puts his hand into the hand of the seeing one, and follows his leadership. “We walk by faith, not by sight."

CHARLES SPURGEON

‘Oku lauiafe ‘a e kakai ‘a e ‘Otua, ‘oku lahi pehe ni pe ‘enau tui: ko e me’a pe ‘oku nau ‘ilo, ko ‘enau pikitai kia Sisu ‘aki ‘a e kotoa honau loto mo honau laumalie, pea ‘oku fe’unga ‘anoa pe ia ke nau ma’u ‘a e melino ki he mo’ui ko eni mo e hufanga ki ‘itaniti. Ko Sisu Kalaisi ko e Fakamo’ui malohi kaukaua, ko e Maka Tu’u ta’etoeue’ia; ‘oku nau pikitai kiate Ia ke nau mo’ui, pea ‘oku fakamo’ui kinautolu ‘i he’enau falala kiate Ia.

Ko koe ‘oku ke lau ‘a e tohi ni, me’a ni, ‘oku ‘ikai te ke pikitai mo koe? Fai leva ia he taimi ni. Ko e tui, ko e falala ‘a e tokotaha ki he ‘ilo (maama) ‘oku hulu hake ‘i ha tokotaha kehe. Ko e tui eni ia ‘oku toe ma’olunga ange: ko e tui ‘oku ne ‘ilo ‘a e ‘uhinga ‘o ‘ene falala, pea ne fai leva. ‘Oku ‘ikai te u tui ‘oku lahi ‘a e ‘ilo ‘a e limipeti (‘unufe nofo maka) ki he maka: ka ‘i he lahi ‘ene tui, ‘oku tupu ai mo ‘ene ‘ilo. Ko ha tangata kui, ‘oku ne falala ki he tokotaha ‘oku ne tataki ia, he ‘oku ne ‘ilo’i ‘oku sio ‘a hono kaume’a, pea ko ‘ene falala, ‘oku ne fononga ai ‘i he hala ‘oku tataki ai ia. Kapau na’e kui pe ‘a e tangata mei hono fa’ele’i, ‘oku ‘ikai te ne ‘ilo pe ko e me’a fe fe ‘a e mamata; ka ‘oku ne ‘ilo pe ‘oku ‘i ai ‘a e me’a pehee he ‘oku ma’u ia ‘e hono kaume’aa. Ko ia ai, ‘oku ne loto lelei ke taki ia ‘e hono kaume’a ‘oku lava ke sio, pea ne muimui ‘i hono taki ia. “ ‘Oku tau laka he tui, ‘o ‘ikai fakamamata.”

Sapate ‘Epeleli 3, 2022 

INSTILLED IN OUR MINDS

TUKI MO NONOFO ‘I HOTAU LOTO

ROMANS 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

LOMA 12:2

Pea ke ‘oua na‘a mou tuku ke fakaangatatau kimoutolu ki he maama ko eni; kae tuku ke fai ai pē homou liliu, he fakafo‘ou ‘o homou ‘atamai, ke mou sivi ‘o ‘ilo pe ko e hā ‘a e finangalo ‘o e ‘Otua, ‘a e me‘a ‘oku lelei, ‘a e me‘a te ne hōifua ai, ‘a e me‘a ‘oku haohaoa.

 

Sola Fide - Faith Alone - Ko e Tui´ pe    

As soon as the minutest particle of faith is instilled into our minds, we begin to behold the face of God, placid, serene, and propitious; far off, indeed, but still so distinct as to assure us that there is no delusion in it. In proportion to the progress we afterwards make, we obtain a nearer and surer view, the very continuance making it more familiar to us.

Thus we see that a mind illumined with the knowledge of God is at first involved in much ignorance - /.ignorance, however, which is gradually removed. Still this partial ignorance or obscure discernment does not prevent that clear knowledge of the divine favor which holds the first and principal part in faith. For as one shut up in a prison, where from a narrow opening he receives the rays of the sun indirectly and in a manner divided, though deprived of a full view of the sun, has no doubt of the source from which the light comes, and is benefited by it; so believers, while bound with the fetters of an earthly body, though surrounded on all sides with much obscurity, are so far illumined by any slender light which beams upon them and displays the divine mercy as to feel secure.

JOHN CALVIN

‘I he taimi pe kuo to ai ha momo’i tui ki hotau ‘atamai, kuo kamata ke tau mamata ki he fofonga ‘o e ‘Otua, ‘oku ta’engaue, malu mo anga’ofa; ‘io, ‘oku ne kei taumama’o, ka ‘oku makehe pe ia pea ‘oku mahino ko Ia pe ia. Fakatatau ki he maama ‘oku tau ma’u mei ai, ‘oku tau ma’u ha ‘ata ‘oku ofi ange mo pau ange pea ‘oku tupulaki ‘a e ‘ilo ko eni ‘i he’etau nofo ki ai.

‘Oku toki ‘a hotau mata ‘o ‘ilo, ko e ‘atamai ‘oku fakamaama ‘i he ‘ilo ki he ‘Otua, ‘oku tomu’a tofanga ‘i ha fakapo’uli - ka ko ha fakapo’uli ‘oku tatala mamalie ke toki maama ange. Ka neongo ia, ko e ‘ilo fakakonga ko eni, ‘oku ‘ikai te ne pulonga ‘a e aata mai ‘a e ‘Otua, ‘i he fuofua ngaue mai ‘a e tui. ‘Oku hange pe ko ha tokotaha ‘oku tuku ‘i ha pilisone, pea hulungia ‘e ha huelo mei tu’a, pea neongo ‘oku ‘ikai te ne mamata ki he la’aa, ka ‘oku ne ‘ilo ‘a e potu ‘oku ulo mei ai, he ‘oku ne ‘inasi he maama ko ia. ‘Oku pehee tofu pe ‘a e kakai tui, neongo ‘a e fakafe’atungia ‘o e sino, pea ‘oku pulonga takatakai, ka ‘oku ne ‘inasi ‘i he tapa mai ‘a e huelo faka-’Otua ‘o ‘Ene meesi ke puke ia. 

Tokonaki ‘Epeleli 2, 2022

LIFE DEMANDS FAITH

KUOPAU KE ‘I AI HA TUI KI HE MO‘UI NI

PROVERBS 3:5

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.

PALOVEPI 3:5

Falala ki he ‘Eiki ‘aki ‘a e kotoa ‘o ho loto, ‘O ‘oua ‘e faaki ki ho poto ‘o‘ou:

 

Sola Fide - Faith Alone - Ko e Tui´ pe   

 

The pursuits of life illustrate faith in many ways. The farmer buries good seed in the earth and expects it not only to live but to be multiplied. He has faith in the covenant arrangement, that "seed-time and harvest shall not cease," and he is rewarded for his faith. The merchant places his money in the care of a banker and trusts altogether to the honesty and soundness of the bank. He entrusts his capital to another's hands and feels far more at ease than if he had the solid gold locked up in an iron safe. The sailor trusts himself to the sea. When he swims he takes his foot from the bottom and rests upon the buoyant ocean. He could not swim if he did not wholly cast himself upon the water.

 

You cannot turn anywhere in life without seeing faith in operation between man and man, or between man and natural law. Now, just as we trust in daily life, even so are we to trust in God as He is revealed in Christ Jesus.

 

CHARLES SPURGEON

 

‘Oku tau ma’u pe mei he mo’ui faka’aho ‘a e ngaahi fakatata ‘o e tui. ‘Oku to ‘e he tangata ngoue ‘a ‘e tenga ki he kelekele, pea ‘oku ‘ikai ngata pe ‘ene ‘amanaki ‘e toe mo’ui, ka ke fua lahi foki. ‘Oku ne falala ki he fo’i natula mo’oni ko ia, ‘o e taimi ‘e to ai ha tenga ki he kelekele, mo e taimi ‘e utu ai pea ‘oku vilo ma’u pe. ‘Io, ‘oku fakapale’i ia ‘o fakatatau ki he’ene tui. Ko e tangata pisinisi, ‘oku fakahu ‘ene silini ki he pangikee, pea ‘oku ne falala kakato ki he faitotonu mo e mafai ‘o e pangikee ke malu’i ‘ene pa’anga. ‘Oku ne tuku atu ‘ene falalaa ki he nima ‘o ha tokotaha kehe, pea ‘oku ne ma’u ha nonga, ‘o laka hake ‘o kapau na’a ne loka’i ‘ene koula ‘i he seifi ‘aione. Ko e tautahi, ‘oku ne falala ki he tahi. ‘I he taimi ‘oku kakau ai, ‘oku ‘ikai te ne tu’u ‘i he ‘one’one ‘o e kilisitahi, ka ‘oku ne tokoto ke puke hake ia ‘e he tahi. ‘Oku ‘ikai te ne lava ke kakau, kapau ‘oku ‘ikai te ne tukuange ia ki he fukahi tahi.

 

‘Oku ‘ikai ha potu te ke hanga ki ai ‘oku ta’e ma’u ai ‘a e fakatata ‘o e tui, ‘i he va ‘o e tangata mo e tangata pe ko e tangata mo e lao ‘o natula. Ko ia ia, hange pe ko ‘etau ngaue ‘aki ‘a e falalaa ‘i he’etau mo’ui faka’aho, ‘oku toe mahulu ange ‘a e pau ke tau tui falala ki he ‘Otua, ‘i he’ene fakaha mai Ia kiate kitautolu ‘ia Kalaisi Sisu.

Falaite ‘Epeleli 1, 2022 

FAITH IN CHRIST'S PROMISES

KO E TUI ‘OKU TU’U ‘I HE NGAAHI PALOMESI ‘A KALAISI

PSALM 6:9

The Lord has heard my cry for mercy, the LORD accepts my prayer.

SAAME 6:9

Kuo ongo‘i ‘e Sihova ‘eku hū; ‘E tali ‘e Sihova ‘eku lotu.

Kuo fanongo ʻa Sihova ki heʻeku hū tāumaʻu; pea ʻe maʻu ʻe Sihova ʻa ʻeku lotu (Uesi)

 

Sola Fide - Faith Alone - Ko e Tui´ pe    

Faith presupposes the assurance of God's mercy. This assurance takes in the confidence that our sins are forgiven for Christ's sake. Never will the conscience trust in God unless it can be sure of God's mercy and promises in Christ.

Now all the promises of God lead back to the first promise concerning Christ: “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel" (Gen 3:15). The faith of the fathers in the Old Testament era, and our faith in the New Testament, are one and the same faith in Christ Jesus, although times and conditions may differ. Peter acknowledged this in the words: "We believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved" (Acts 15:11). And Paul writes: "And did all drink the spiritual drink; for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them and that Rock was Christ" (1 Corinthians 10:4).

MARTIN LUTHER

Ko e TUI, ‘oku fakatu’amelie ki he pau’ia ‘o e meesi ‘a e ‘Otua. Ko e pau’ia ko ia, ‘oku ne falala, ko e kotoa ‘o ‘etau ngaahi angahala kuo ‘osi fakamolemole’i koe’uhi ko Kalaisi. Pea ‘e ‘ikai ke piki ‘a e konisenisi ‘o e tangata ki he ‘Otua, kapau ‘oku ‘ikai te ne pau’ia ‘i he meesi ‘a e ‘Otua kuo ‘osi palomesi mai ‘ia Kalaisi.

Ko e ngaahi palomesi kotoa ‘a e ‘Otua, ‘oku foki kotoa ki he fuofua palomesi fekau’aki mo Kalaisi: “te u ‘ai ke mo fetāufehi‘a‘aki, ‘a koe mo e fefine, pea ko ho hako mo hono hako; ‘e laiki ‘e ia ho ‘ulu, pea te ke laiki ‘e koe ‘a hono muiva‘e” (Senesi 3:15).Ko e tui ‘a e kau peteliake ‘o e kuonga ‘o e Fuakava Motu’a, pea mo ‘etau tui ki he Fuakava Fo’ou, ‘oku taha pe pea ‘oku tu’u kotoa ‘ia Kalaisi Sisu, neongo ‘oku kehekehe ‘a e taimi mo e tukunga. ‘Oku lave ki ai ‘a Pita ‘i he’ene pehe: “ ‘Osi, ‘oku tau tui te tau mo‘ui ‘i he kelesi ‘a e ‘Eiki ko Kalaisi, ‘o hangē tofu pē ko kinautolu” (Ngaue 15:11). Pea hiki ‘e Paula: “he na‘a nau inu ai pē mei he Maka mana na‘e tulimui kiate kinautolu: ka ko e Maka ko ia ko Kalaisi pē” (1 Kolinito 10:4).