Gus Cameron

31 October 2026

Romans 10:16-21

Gus Cameron

31 October 2026

16 But not all of them welcomed the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
18 But I ask, did they not hear? Indeed they did:
“Their voice has gone out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.”
19 I ask instead, did Israel not understand? First, Moses says:
“I will make you jealous by those who are not a nation;
I will make you angry by a nation without understanding.”
20 And Isaiah boldly says:
“I was found by those who did not seek Me;
I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me.”
21 But as for Israel he says:
“All day long I have held out My hands
to a disobedient and obstinate people.”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Sarah Armstrong

Today’s passage reminds us of the importance of the word of God (the Bible). In verse 17 Paul says, “Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” Believing and trusting Jesus and His word is the only way to have faith, and to be saved. That is true of all of us, Jew or Gentile.

In this passage, Paul is talking about the Jews specifically. Remember, from verse 1, he said his “heart’s desire and prayer to God” was that the Israelites would be saved. Now, Paul gives examples from the Old Testament where it was clear that the Israelites had been given many opportunities to hear and understand the word of God. Psalm 19 said that the word of God has gone into all the earth. In Isaiah, God said that he had revealed himself to those who were not seeking him, but the Israelites had shown themselves to be “a disobedient and obstinate people.”

This passage has challenged me in two ways.

First, I reread verse 21 several times. How often, like the Israelites, do I ignore the word of God and not give it the appropriate reverence? How often do I fail to take time to meditate on it and ask God to help me to actively understand what it is saying? Perhaps like me, you need to repent – but as we do, we can also thank God for his forgiveness through Jesus and remember how he continues to hold out his hand to us.

Secondly, I am reminded that God has no grandchildren. Even though the Israelites were God’s special old covenant people, not all of them are saved, but only those who have come to faith from hearing the message and believing the word about Christ. We need to be praying for our friends, family and those around us who need to hear and believe the word about Christ. But today, let’s pray specifically for our church’s young people, who are growing up hearing the word about Christ. Just like being an Israelite doesn’t guarantee salvation, being from a Christian family doesn’t mean you are saved. Our heart’s desire and prayer for these precious young people should be that they take on a personal faith in Jesus. Pray also for their parents and key Christians in their lives to love them and teach them the word about Christ.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sarah is our parish administrator.

Gus Cameron

30 October 2026

Romans 10:11-15

Gus Cameron

30 October 2026

11 It is just as the Scripture says: “Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: The same Lord is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who call on Him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Tim Mitry

This section of Romans 10 is a great call to action. I’m on board with more people believing in Jesus and following him – and so is Paul. But Paul makes it clear that to reach that end goal of people believing and following Christ, Christians must be sent out.

This is a good reminder to me that as I pray for God to save people, I need to be willing to be one of those ‘sent’ people to go and tell others. I don’t think this necessarily has to involve packing a suitcase and heading to some far-away place, but it does mean being missional in my every-day interactions with people. I can have the ‘beautiful feet’ of someone coming with good news, by sharing the good news about Jesus with friends or visitors. I could tell someone about how the good news of Jesus changes me and the world, and encourage them to go to the Jesus course.

I’m going to pray for courage. As Paul says, “How can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard?” Let’s pray that we all will have courage to be the tellers of God’s Good News about his Son to everyone.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tim is one of our Ministry Trainees.

Gus Cameron

29 October 2026

Romans 10:5-10

Gus Cameron

29 October 2026

5 For concerning the righteousness that is by the law, Moses writes: “The man who does these things will live by them.” 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 or, ‘Who will descend into the Abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).”
8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9 that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Stephen Shead

This is one of my favourite passages in all Paul’s letters. At first, it sounds like Paul is doing bizarre things with the Old Testament. But actually, what he’s doing shows how deeply he understands the way the Old Testament law pointed to Jesus. (It’s pretty complex, but I’ll have a crack at explaining it!)

Paul knew that God’s grace had exploded into the world in the coming of Jesus, Israel’s Messiah. Now finally, salvation was available, as a gift through trusting in Jesus, the Lord whom God had raised from the dead (v 9). But Paul’s anguish is that his own people Israel had rejected Jesus. They thought they were already righteous because God had given them the law of Moses, so why would they need this Jesus?

So Paul quotes two passages from the law of Moses, to show that the law itself pointed to their need for Jesus.

The law of Moses is the first 5 books of the Old Testament (Genesis to Deuteronomy). Those books present two possible ways to seek salvation and life – but one was a dead end. The first way, which is through the law itself, is in Leviticus 18:5: “The man who does these things will live by them.” Paul’s point is: Having the law does nothing. You need to obey all its commands.

And that was always the problem. The people of Israel had stubborn and rebellious hearts. They always ended up turning away from God – and the law didn’t just give commands, it also told the story of Israel’s incurable disobedience. By the end of the book of Deuteronomy, Moses is tearing his hair out (Deuteronomy 31:27). It was clear that the law couldn’t solve the problem.

But at the same time, in Deuteronomy 30:1-10, God made an amazing promise: one day, he would do a great new work of forgiveness and heart-transformation, which would finally bring life. The details of that promise were still shrouded in mystery – but the law ended by showing that the way to righteousness lay in a new, future work of God’s grace.

The second passage Paul quotes comes straight after that promise, in Deuteronomy 30:11-14 – though Paul doesn’t just quote it. He removes the shroud of mystery. He fills in the blanks with the fulfilment of the promise: the incarnation, death, and resurrection of Jesus the Lord. That was the second way of righteousness that law pointed to as the only hope for Israel and the world.

I love the Bible so much – and the more I study it, the more I marvel at Jesus. I guess the only question left is: Have you confessed “Yes, Jesus is Lord” (you could say it out loud now), and do you believe God raised him from the dead? If so, you are saved. End of story!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen is our Senior Minister.

Gus Cameron

28 October 2026

Romans 9:30-10:4

Gus Cameron

28 October 2026

30 What then will we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. 32 Why not? Because their pursuit was not by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33 as it is written:
“See, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling
and a rock of offense;
and the one who believes in Him
will never be put to shame.”

Chapter 10

1 Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is for their salvation. 2 For I testify about them that they are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge. 3 Because they were ignorant of God’s righteousness and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4 For Christ is the end of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Laura Lie

Earlier in this chapter we read Paul’s anguish over Israel’s continued unbelief, and his reminder that God is sovereign, as He calls his people to Him.

Which is where we come in at verse 30: “What then will we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it.”

Israel did not attain their goal of salvation, because they did not pursue it through faith, but saw it as something to be gained by works (v 32). They thought the old covenant meant they could earn their salvation through obedience to the law, but the old covenant pointed forward to Jesus. Paul saw that, in his day, the Gentiles were the ones entering the new covenant in Christ. They were putting their faith in Christ, believing in him and being saved.

Israel’s mistake was not only a danger for Jews in Paul’s day. How easily can we fall into the same trap? I was raised in a Christian household and was saved at a young age, praise God! And I know that the good works I do in obedience to God are the fruits of the Spirit’s work in my life. They can never earn me salvation, because I am saved through God’s mercy (Ephesians 2:8-10). But so quickly, in my mind they can become something to cling to “just in case” – a little ego, a little salvation backup plan. If I do enough works, if I serve enough, if I keep up the right appearance, then that should help. Right?

No. How would God, the creator of the universe, require my help? How would Jesus’ death on the cross serve any purpose, if my works are still required as part of the plan?

Thankfully, He does not, and Christ’s sacrifice was complete. God is sovereign and His plan is good.

Paul continues to remind us of this in chapter 10: “For Christ is the end of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes” (v 4).

What joy and relief for those of us who have already received the Lord’s salvation, and what a wonderful message for those who have not yet.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Laura is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

27 October 2026

Romans 9:25-29

Gus Cameron

27 October 2026

25 As He says in Hosea:
“I will call them ‘My People’ who are not My people,
and I will call her ‘My Beloved’ who is not My beloved,”
26 and,
“It will happen that in the very place where it was said to them,
‘You are not My people,’
they will be called
‘sons of the living God.’”
27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel:
“Though the number of the Israelites is like the sand of the sea,
only the remnant will be saved.
28 For the Lord will carry out His sentence on the earth
thoroughly and decisively.”
29 It is just as Isaiah foretold:
“Unless the Lord of Hosts had left us descendants,
we would have become like Sodom,
we would have resembled Gomorrah.”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Susan Everett

I’ve always found Romans 9 a difficult chapter. I think most of us like to imagine that we are in charge of our own destinies. Yet Paul says that what actually determines our future is God’s sovereign mercy, not our efforts.

It feels unfair. And in a real way, it is.

But verses 25-26 remind me what is actually unfair. It’s unfair that God shows mercy to a sinful outsider like me.

I’m not a part of God’s original covenant people, Israel. I’m not a naturally good or godly person. I don’t deserve God’s compassion. None of us do.

And yet, because God delights in showing mercy, he calls us ungodly, underserving Gentiles, “My people.” He calls us “beloved.” He even calls us “sons” – his children.

Just let that sink in. If you trust in Jesus, you belong to God. You are his beloved. You are a child of his. That’s who you are now. And because that rests entirely on God’s choice to be merciful, you can’t stuff it up. You can’t earn it, or un-earn it. You are just as much God’s beloved on your bad days as your good days. That’s the kind of salvation Jesus has purchased for us.

God’s sovereign choice can be a tricky thing to wrestle with. But it’s also the only reason any of us can be called children of God. Let’s thank him for his mercy.

Heavenly Father, we know that we do not deserve your mercy. You have every right to judge us for our sin. Thank you so much for choosing to show us mercy instead. Thank you for calling us your people, your beloved, your sons. Help us remember today that we are your people not because of our efforts or desires, but because you decided to show us mercy through Jesus. In his name we pray, Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susan is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

26 October 2026

Romans 9:14-24

Gus Cameron

26 October 2026

14 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Certainly not! 15 For He says to Moses:
“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
16 So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden.
19 One of you will say to me, “Then why does God still find fault? For who can resist His will?” 20 But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?” 21 Does not the potter have the right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special occasions and another for common use?
22 What if God, intending to show His wrath and make His power known, bore with great patience the vessels of His wrath, prepared for destruction? 23 What if He did this to make the riches of His glory known to the vessels of His mercy, whom He prepared in advance for glory— 24 including us, whom He has called not only from the Jews, but also from the Gentiles?

REFLECTIONS

Written by Gus Cameron

This passage helps us reflect on one of the most confronting aspects of our faith. It’s a question that has been asked at every Jesus Course and it is something you have probably asked as well: “Is God unjust to choose to save some people and not others?”

Here’s some comfort: This passage shows us that it is a question that was being asked at the very beginning of Christianity, and it’s a question that the Bible is not afraid to ask. It’s an important question that takes us to the very heart of God and our relationship with him.

In today’s section, Paul helps us to think about God’s mercy in two ways. First, he shows that it makes no sense to say that God is “unfair” in showing mercy. God has mercy on people who do not deserve mercy. That is the definition of mercy. If we deserved God’s mercy, it would not be mercy! God is not, and cannot, be unfair in showing mercy to anyone. What’s “fair” for every single person is to be condemned by God. The book of Exodus shows that even when God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, Pharaoh had already hardened his own heart against God.

So Paul reminds us that we are like clay in the hands of a potter. God is the creator, so he full authority to make and act and plan whatever he chooses. We are his creations; we cannot turn back and call him unjust. As creator God is right to do whatever he chooses.

Secondly, Paul reminds us that God’s mercy shows us his glory. God’s mercy should make us stop in amazement. The best response to our questions about God’s justice is to reflect on Jesus and his death for us on the cross, because there we see God’s mercy and justice come together. There God’s character shines so brightly, his good, righteous, merciful character. The infinite, holy, awesome creator of the universe chose to suffer hell for us, in the person of his Son on the cross, out of love for a sinful world. Even if we can’t fully understand his ways, it’s not that God doesn’t care.

I think I forget just how incredible God’s mercy is. I deserve nothing from God. More than that, I deserve his wrath. But he is merciful. We will find both mercy and justice nowhere else but in Jesus. Give thanks to God for his mercy poured out on the world, and poured out on us.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gus is our Senior Assistant Minister with our Fairfield congregations.

Gus Cameron

24 October 2026

Romans 9:6-13

Gus Cameron

24 October 2026

6 It is not as though God’s word has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. 7 Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” 8 So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring. 9 For this is what the promise stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”
10 Not only that, but Rebecca’s children were conceived by one man, our father Isaac. 11 Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand, 12 not by works but by Him who calls, she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 So it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Ken Wong

Playground soccer games were always a nerve-racking affair for me. The two best players were usually the captains of each team (which was never me). They had the task of picking their teammates one by one. I had the task of nervously waiting to be picked. It was always a great relief when I was picked by the captain that day.

Today we encounter another type of selection, or perhaps non-selection. In yesterday’s passage, Paul lamented that despite the advantages that his fellow Jews enjoyed, very few were being saved. Now Paul says in verse 6, “not all descended from Israel are Israel”. In other words, not every physical descendent of Israel belongs to the true Israel. Not all Israelites will receive the blessing that God promised to Israel.

That raises a very important question: Has God’s promise failed?

Paul uses two examples from the book of Genesis to show that, no, God’s promise has not failed. It was always intended to work that way. God promised that a “seed” or descendant of Abraham would bless the world, but not all “seeds” of Abraham would belong to God.

First, Abraham’s sons Ishmael and Isaac. Both were born to Abraham, but Ishmael is described as a child born of the flesh and human effort. Isaac was born to Sarah in her old age, as the child of God’s promise, by God’s sovereign power. Only Isaac was the seed of God’s promise to bless the world.

Secondly, Isaac’s twin sons Esau and Jacob. Even before they were born, Jacob was destined for blessing, but God had rejected Esau as part of the line of Abraham’s seed. That was not because Jacob was good and Esau was bad, even though later Esau despised God’s promise. But salvation is always by God’s grace and sovereignty and not by human family line or works.

The truth of God’s election to salvation is in the Bible is meant to give great assurance to believers. We might struggle with it (we’ll think more about it tomorrow). But God’s election is like being picked by Lionel Messi for his team, only infinitely better, because when Jesus picks us for his team, victory is assured. And his choice doesn’t depend on our worth or our feeble efforts, only on his death and resurrection for us. He always carries his team.

On the flip side, I am also reminded not to fall into the trap of the Pharisees. Being born to a Christian family, or being in church for a long time, are both great blessings. But neither our family line nor belonging to church save us. I need to recommit myself to Christ each day and rely on him alone for my salvation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ken is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

23 October 2026

Romans 9:1-5

Gus Cameron

23 October 2026

1 I speak the truth in Christ; I am not lying, as confirmed by my conscience in the Holy Spirit. 2 I have deep sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my own flesh and blood, 4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them proceeds the human descent of Christ, who is God over all, forever worthy of praise! Amen.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Jess Chow

Yesterday’s passage from the end of Romans 8 gave us the assurance that absolutely nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. That is such a comforting and uplifting truth, particularly in times of hardship.

But in today’s passage, Paul’s tone shifts to one of sorrow as he thinks about his fellow Jews, the people of Israel, who have rejected Christ Jesus as Lord and do not share in that truth with Paul. He’s so filled with anguish he even goes as far as to say he wishes he could sacrifice himself and endure separation from Christ for their sake – if it would lead to their salvation. This is quite extreme! I take it that Paul is speaking hypothetically, since he has just reminded us in the previous chapter that nothing can separate us from Christ. But what is clear is the depth of Paul’s love and longing for the Jews to know and believe in Jesus, their own Messiah.

In the rest of Romans 9 Paul will go on to discuss God’s sovereignty in election, something Christians often refer to as ‘predestination’. Sometimes predestination can seem like a bit of a cold theological idea. You might be tempted to think that, because God is sovereign and chooses whomever He chooses, there’s no point in making the effort to evangelise. I can’t do anything about God’s choice, so I can just go about my own life concerned with my own salvation, not anybody else’s.

But that is completely the wrong way to think. For Paul, knowing that God predestines some to salvation doesn’t lead him to indifference about the Jewish people. He doesn’t wipe his own hands clean since it’s in God’s hands. Instead, knowing God’s sovereignty actually pushes him towards a deep compassion for his people and a self-sacrificial desire that they would know the Christ who proceeds from their bloodline. Is there anyone I would say that I could wish to sacrifice my own salvation for, that I would do whatever is humanly possible to help them know Jesus? This is certainly a challenge. I pray that God would grant me a deep heart to see the lost saved!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jess is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

22 October 2026

Romans 8:35-39

Gus Cameron

22 October 2026

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For Your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Keith Hengpoonthana

We have all experienced love of one sort or another in our life, whether from family members, friends, or even strangers who you have only just met. If you ask people at random to define what love is, you will probably get many different answers. Some will define it as a feeling, while others see it as about your actions. Either way, worldly love is temporary and unstable. We fall in and out of love, we sometimes fail even those we love most, and eventually we will be separated from those we love in this world.

What if someone was to love you for who you are, despite all of your flaws and external features? What if that love was forever and nothing could separate you from it? What if that love also builds you up, protects and nurtures you, overcomes all hardship and troubles, and even brings you back to life from death?

The love of God that is in Jesus Christ our Lord is that love. When you are feeling lonely and unloved, when you are experiencing grief and distress, and when you feel like something is missing in your life, take the time to reflect on this passage. This is real and true love, something only God can give, because “God is love” (1 John 4:8). This love can only come from the creator God, and you simply cannot get it from things or people in this world.

Also remember that whenever you feel like your sin is too big to be forgiven and you feel distant from God, then as long as you have put your trust in Christ, nothing can ever separate you from His love for you, all because of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. When you are going through hard times and struggling in life, maybe you feel like God is not with you. Nothing could be further from the truth! God is always with you, and it is impossible for anything to separate you from his love.

It’s a good thing to know that someone loves you. What Paul shows us is that, however much anyone in this world loves you, their love is only a tiny speck compared to how wide and long and high and deep is the love of God in Christ for you (Ephesians 3:14-19). Keep these verses in your heart, a love letter like no other.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Keith is a member of our Bossley Park morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

21 October 2026

Romans 8:31-34

Gus Cameron

21 October 2026

31 What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Ashel Singh

How often do I live as though everything depends on me? I often find myself striving to get things perfectly right, worry about what others think, and carry the weight of my failures. When I fall short, it can be easy to question where I stand with God.

Romans 8:31–34 invites us to pause and consider a wonderful truth: God is for us.

The God who created the heavens and the earth has demonstrated his love for us by giving his own son. At the cross, we see just how far God was willing to go to bring us to himself. We do not have to spend our lives trying to convince God to love us. He has already shown us his love through Jesus.

I wonder if there are things from your past that still weigh heavily on your heart. Perhaps you are disappointed in yourself, or you find yourself comparing your faith to the faith of others. When these thoughts arise, where do you turn to for reassurance? Do you look at your own performance, or do you look to Christ?

Paul assures us that Jesus died, rose again, and now intercedes for us. What a comfort it is to know that our hope does not rest on our ability to get everything right, but on the Saviour who has done everything necessary to bring us to God.

Reflecting on this passage, it brings me comfort to rest in that truth. I do not need to carry the burden of proving my worth to God. Instead, I need to remember the love he has already demonstrated and the grace he continues to extend.

I’m usually calculated. I like to be very particular with how things pan out in my life. But that means sometimes I feel as if I need to do things to a certain standard to live for God. This passage brings me reassurance – it has been done, God is for us. It takes away the pressure to get it right. Instead, I can go to God with thankfulness and praise instead of guilt and pressure.

Pray with me. Heavenly Father, help me to rest in your love rather than striving to prove myself. When I am burdened by guilt, fear, or doubt, turn my eyes back to Jesus. Thank you that my confidence rests in what Christ has done, not in what I can achieve. Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ashel is a member of our Fairfield Evening congregation.

Gus Cameron

20 October 2026

Romans 8:28-30

Gus Cameron

20 October 2026

28 And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Keng Lio

When I read Romans 8:28-30, what strikes me most is the security and assurance in these verses.

Paul says that those God foreknew, He predestined. Those He predestined, He called. Those He called, He justified. And those He justified, He also glorified.

As I read those words, I can’t help but feel thankful that God has chosen me to be one of His children.

When I look honestly at myself, I know I haven’t earned that privilege. I’m a sinner... and left to myself, I deserve judgement and death, not forgiveness, acceptance and a place in God’s family. And yet, because of Jesus, that is exactly what God has given me.

I find it amazing that verse 29 says, God’s purpose is for us to be conformed to the image of His Son, and that Jesus would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Because of what Jesus has done, I don’t just stand before God as someone whose sins have been forgiven. I have been brought into His family. I can call God my Father, and Jesus my brother.

That is incredibly humbling.

These verses also remind me that my salvation doesn’t ultimately rest on how well I am doing as a Christian. There are times when I feel strong in my faith, and other times when I’m very aware of my weakness and sin. But this passage reminds me that God is the one who called me, justified me, and is bringing His work in me to completion.

Even the word “glorified” gives me hope. Paul speaks about it with such certainty. God’s purpose for His people will not fail.

So when I read this passage, my response is simply gratitude. I deserve none of this. Yet in Christ, I have been forgiven, justified, adopted into God’s family, and given the certain hope of glory.

What an incredible gift it is to belong to Him!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Keng is a one of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

19 October 2026

Romans 8:24-27

Gus Cameron

19 October 2026

24 For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words. 27 And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Paul Bogg

Sometimes when I get my daughters to pray, they know what to pray for, but other times they don’t have the words. So I’ll try help them out, talk through what they are thinking about praying, and once in a while they’ll just turn and ask me to pray for them. I’m more than happy to oblige: I count it a real privilege to bring the concerns of my kids before the almighty God and creator of the universe.

I’m not so different to them. There have been times when I have struggled to find the right words to pray – especially when there are crises with no obvious solution, or when people we know have suffered tragedies. In those times, I feel a bit lost. I know I desperately want God to work through the circumstances, but I don’t know what to ask him for.

As Romans has been teaching us, God calls us into a loving relationship with himself as our Father, by adopting us as his children through faith in his Son Jesus. We are weak – we often struggle to find words, we struggle to know how to pray. And as our loving Father, God doesn’t leave us alone in our weakness. He gives us help: his Holy Spirit.

As I reflect on this, there are two ways I realise the Spirit helps me with intercession. First, he reminds me of Scripture and puts Scripture in my mouth as I pray. Sometimes I’ll find myself praying through verses I read earlier, and somehow they fit the types of things I should be praying for at that moment, according to God’s will. One time, after reading James 1:5 on a Thursday morning, I prayed for our senior minister Stephen, that God would give him wisdom to prepare well for Saturday. After I finished praying, I had no idea why I had prayed that – I didn’t even know what Stephen was doing on Saturday. But as I found out later, he was officiating a wedding that day!

Secondly, there have been times I have said to God, “Father, I have no idea what to pray for. But please work in this situation.”

In both cases, today’s passage makes me so thankful that I can trust that the Spirit intercedes, and I can trust that he turns a fumbling, confused set of words into something that brings God glory and benefits his church and his kingdom. All I need to do is make the time and … pray. Let’s do that now.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

17 October 2026

Romans 8:18-23

Gus Cameron

17 October 2026

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time. 23 Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Diana Joseph

We ask ourselves many questions, but perhaps rarely these: Is my present suffering really for a greater good? How do we, humans, groan with creation?

When something small goes wrong, or when we or someone else experiences suffering or injustice, our first thought can be, “That’s not fair.” It becomes me, me, me, I, I, I. Then I think of Paul. He was flogged, beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, imprisoned and in constant peril. His suffering was inevitable in the height of religious oppression and persecution. I picture Paul writing on two sides of a page: on one side, he lists everything he is suffering now, on the other, he lists everything he will inherit later. He adds it all up and considers - there is no comparison. That should challenge us. We often talk ourselves into being victims. I see how easily temporary suffering can become bigger than it is and rob me of joy, yet Paul belittled his sufferings. Imagine if Paul saw himself as a victim. We wouldn’t have these verses.

Then Paul’s canvas becomes bigger. It is not only us who groan. Trees die, flowers fade and our bodies weaken. Creation bears the marks of decay and waits alongside us humans for God to make things right. It was made good, yet, because of sin, it now waits for freedom from its bondage to decay. What profound and poetic language.

That makes me think differently about sickness, fatigue, ageing, disappointment, suffering and brokenness all around us. These marks of decay are real, but they are not permanent. Paul compares this groaning to childbirth, which reminds me of Jesus’ words that a woman in labour has sorrow, but once the child is born, the anguish gives way to joy. The pain is real, but it is leading somewhere. It is moving towards something greater.

This should be our end goal. Decay is not the end. Christ will make all things new. Until then, we wait, groan, hope, comfort and encourage each other as Paul did, and remind each other that what we see now is not all there is. This world is not our final home and creation is waiting with us to be set free. This is the hope we have as children of God, heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Diana is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

16 October 2026

Romans 8:12-17

Gus Cameron

16 October 2026

12 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation, but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Paul Bogg

We recently went through the process of putting together a will, setting out the terms of how and where our possessions would go when I and/or my wife die. It was quite the task to go through, listing all the things that we needed to account for and to whom we would like them to be distributed. And not that it’s much of a spoiler alert: but our kids will inherit most of our things. Although they are too young to really understand what it all means, the principle is simple: an inheritance will come their way, and they didn’t do a single thing to earn it. They will receive it simply because they are our children.

Today’s passage brings news which is similar, but so much better. At the start of the chapter, Paul told us that those who are in Christ Jesus have the Spirit of life that sets them free from the law of sin and death (v 1-2). Today it gets even more amazing: All who are led by the Spirit are sons of God. If you put your trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins, you receive the Spirit who brings sonship, and this sonship means that you can call God “Father”. God sees you just like his son Jesus.

When I reflect on this, it seems unbelievable: the God of the universe – the all-powerful, all knowing, eternal King who brought creation into being with just his word – would count me as a son, and want me to call him Father. But it gets even more mind-blowing: just by being a son of the living God, I am heir to an eternal inheritance, which includes sharing in God’s glory! Of course, there is no possible way I could have worked for or earned that. I simply receive it because I am counted as a son. It seems unbelievable – but it is to be believed, because God said it, the Spirit testified to it by raising Jesus from the dead, and the Spirit testifies to our spirits that it is true.

Rest in this truth today: God has made us his own heirs with Jesus his son.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

15 October 2026

Romans 8:5-11

Gus Cameron

15 October 2026

5 Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God.
9 You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Tina Bogg

As I read this passage, I thought about what a blessing it is to be living by the Spirit, and I am so thankful to God that it is Christ who gave us the Spirit to dwell in us.

I thought about what it might look like for me to set my mind on the things of the flesh, and what first came to mind was a long list of worries. Worry about the future, money, not making the best choices for my family, worrying about what to eat or wear or what to buy or where to go in the next holidays. I can definitely see how the mind of the flesh is hostile to God, doesn’t submit to God’s law, and actually cannot please God. The things of the flesh often stem from not trusting God, from coveting or comparing ourselves to others, which is so all-consuming that it can crowd out the things that are important to God: loving God, loving others and serving God with our time, energy and gifts.

When all these thoughts come into my mind, I’m so thankful that the Spirit is also there to counter them with the reminder that none of these things are all that important in the big scheme of life. It’s ok to think about them sometimes, but it’s also important to keep these things in an eternal perspective. We’re to seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness, and Jesus promises that “all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). Pray with me that we will keep listening to God’s Spirit in us as he prompts us to focus our mind on godly things so that we can have life and peace. As Jesus says: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tina is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

14 October 2026

Romans 8:1-4

Gus Cameron

14 October 2026

1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Vivian Abdala

What a great start to this passage: there is now no condemnation! The opening words are such a joyful start to what is to come for those who have put their trust in Jesus. It calls for celebration. What a joy it is to know that we do not have to live under condemnation or judgment, because we are in Christ. To me, it is a great relief.

When I read through all the Old Testament laws, I am constantly reminded of how sinful humans are and, more personally, how sinful I am. It is terribly hard to follow the Law. The sacrifices, the number of animals, and the sheer number of laws to follow for all the sins that were committed—I feel exhausted just thinking about it.

How wonderful is it to live on this side of the cross. I am so thankful that Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death by dying for our sins.

But this does not mean our lives are all celebration. We are still called to live by the Spirit and not be governed by the flesh. Easier said than done. I know how easily I can be led by my own desires, attitudes and sinful nature.

I have found, though, that being part of a church, Bible study and God’s people has helped me to be more accountable. The Christians around me spur me on to keep going, to work hard at living according to God’s Word, and to resist following a world that is governed by the flesh.

This passage reminds me that I am no longer living under condemnation, but I have been set free in Christ, and now I am called to live by the Spirit. What a privilege it is to live in that freedom.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vivian is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

13 October 2026

Romans 7:21-25

Gus Cameron

13 October 2026

21 So this is the principle I have discovered: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law. 23 But I see another law at work in my body, warring against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me.
24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, with my mind I serve the law of God, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Elise Beck

Have you ever been grocery shopping and picked the trolley with the really wonky wheel? This happened to me last week. You’re trying to go straight, but the wheel keeps pulling you in another direction. You pull it back, only for it to start drifting again.

That’s a bit like how Paul describes the Christian life in today’s passage: “I want to do good. I want to obey God… but I keep being pulled towards sin”.

As I reflected on this passage, I realised how true this is of my own experience. We want to follow Christ, yet we continue to battle against our sinful flesh. There is a constant tension: we delight in God and want to obey him, yet sin continues to wage war within us.

When I worked as a midwife, there was often a culture of gossip and complaining. I found it easy to join in – complaining about colleagues who hadn’t done their work properly or doctors who were being demanding. I wanted my life at work to reflect that I followed Jesus, yet I still found myself giving in to sin. It felt like a tug-of-war within me.

Paul eventually cries out, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me?” (v.24). Notice that Paul doesn’t ask, “What must I do?” He asks, “Who will rescue me?” And the wonderful answer comes in the very next verse: “Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (v.25a). We’ll hear more about that answer tomorrow.

Our struggle with sin reminds us that we cannot rescue ourselves. It points us to Jesus Christ, the one who delivers us from sin. Praise God that in our weakness, we can turn again to Jesus, trusting in the one who rescues us and, by his Spirit, helps us to delight in and obey God.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elise is one of our Ministry Trainees.

Gus Cameron

12 October 2026

Romans 7:13-20

Gus Cameron

12 October 2026

(Note: Paul is continuing his discussion of the Old Testament Law.)

13 Did that which is good, then, become death to me? Certainly not! But in order that sin might be exposed as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.
14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do. But what I hate, I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I admit that the law is good. 17 In that case, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do. Instead, I keep on doing the evil I do not want to do. 20 And if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

REFLECTIONS

Written by James Davidson

There is a battle raging within each of us Christians. We are forgiven. We have the assurance of eternal life. We have the Holy Spirit working in us transforming us from one degree of glory to another. But our old rebellious nature still lives on in us. We know what is right. God has taught us that through his Word. And we often want to do what is right because the Spirit is working in us. Sometimes we do but often we don’t. Our self-centered nature gets the better of us and we disobey God. Or we can do the right thing with mixed motives. To paraphrase one commentator: ‘Even our very best acts and activities are disfigured by the egotism which is still powerful within us.’ We are all very much works in progress. And we will be till Jesus calls us home.

It’s important to accept this truth about ourselves. Otherwise, we will have too high expectations of ourselves. We could think that as a Christian we should be virtually perfect. We could be devastated when we sin as if our salvation was in doubt. No, this struggle is the normal Christian life.

And it’s important to accept this truth about our fellow believers. Otherwise, we could have too high expectations of them. We could expect them to be virtually perfect. We could be devastated when they sin against us or sin generally. No, we should expect to be sinned against from time to time by our fellow believers. This is normal church life.

On the other hand, we shouldn’t use this truth to justify being complacent about our sin. After all, the apostle Paul has just said in the previous chapter: ‘Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.’ (6:13-14)

In short, be realistic about the sinful nature, but strive for godliness.

Let’s pray: Father, you know that our sinful nature still lives in us. So often we want to do what is good but we cannot carry it out. Please forgive us. By the power of your Spirit, help us to increasingly present the parts of our body to you as instruments of righteousness, for your glory. Amen

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

James is one of our assistant ministers.

Gus Cameron

10 October 2026

Romans 7:7-12

Gus Cameron

10 October 2026

7 What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have been mindful of sin if not for the law. For I would not have been aware of coveting if the law had not said, “Do not covet.”[A] 8 But sin, seizing its opportunity through the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from the law, sin is dead.
9 Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. 10 So I discovered that the very commandment that was meant to bring life actually brought death. 11 For sin, seizing its opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through the commandment put me to death.
12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Daniel (TK) Nguyen

I’ll be honest, having read the passage multiple times, I was still just as confused as when I read it the first time. But when I went back and read the previous verses a few times, that helped me get a grasp of it. Yesterday Paul said that as Christians we have been released from God’s law, and that the law aroused sinful passions and led to death (v 5). That makes Paul ask whether the law itself is bad.

But he says, no, God’s law is good. The last verse sums it up pretty much, “the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good” (v 12). Because of God’s law, we are able to understand the harshness of sin; therefore we are able to be mindful of sin, and that’s good. The law exposes our desire to sin.

But the problem is, God’s law itself can’t cure our desire to sin. Sin has this grasp on us, and knowing God’s law doesn’t free us. If it was only for the law, we would still be bound to sin, and in the end the law can’t bring us eternal life. That’s why the gospel is even better, because through God’s grace and what Jesus has done for us on the cross, sin has been put to death and we’ve received the gift of eternal life.

Let us pray and ask God to help us understand tough passages, to spend more time with him in his word, that he would speak to us through his word, and that through faith in Jesus we will be able to live our lives in a way that’s pleasing to him.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

TK is a member of Fairfield Evening congregation.

Gus Cameron

9 October 2026

Romans 7:1-6

Gus Cameron

9 October 2026

1 Do you not know, brothers (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives? 2 For instance, a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. 3 So then, if she is joined to another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law and is not an adulteress, even if she marries another man.
4 Therefore, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. 5 For when we lived according to the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, bearing fruit for death. 6 But now, having died to what bound us, we have been released from the law, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

REFLECTIONS

Written by James Davidson

We Christians are sometimes accused of being inconsistent. For example, someone might say, why do you believe that adultery and homosexual relationships are wrong, according to Leviticus 20:10-13, but you’re happy to eat a pork roll despite Leviticus 11:7 which says that the pig is unclean and shouldn’t be eaten? Why obey one but not the other?

The answer is contained in this passage. Verse 4 says ‘Therefore, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God.’ The death and resurrection of Christ introduced a new way that God rules over his people. Before Christ, God ruled his people through the Law of Moses, recorded in the first five books of the Bible, including Leviticus. But through his death, Jesus brought that arrangement to an end. And by his resurrection, God appointed Jesus as Lord over his people.

But that doesn’t mean obedience and godliness are less important now. God’s purpose in giving us to Christ is ‘that we might bear fruit to God’ (v 4). Some of the commands in the Law of Moses weren’t directly about godly behaviour. They were symbols or rituals designed to teach Israel about their need of forgiveness, and how God would bring true inner cleansing through the Messiah. Now that Jesus has come, those symbols aren’t necessary anymore. But other commands were direct expressions of godliness. Under Jesus’ rule, we still live by those principles – not because we are under the Law, but because we live in step with God’s Spirit (v 6).

Jesus’ teaching backs this up. He declared all foods clean (Mark 7:19), because he has come to bring true spiritual cleansing, so the time for clean or unclean foods is over. But Jesus and his apostles affirmed the Law’s teaching on sex and marriage (e.g., Matt. 19:4-9; 1 Cor. 6:9-10). So we are not inconsistent in applying laws in Leviticus in different ways, we are consistent in following the teaching of Jesus and his apostles.

And in all this, our big desire should be to live under Christ’s rule, to bear fruit to God.

Let’s pray. Father, help us to understand that the way you rule your people changed when Jesus died and rose again. Help us to obey Jesus in every aspect of our lives so that we will bear fruit for you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

James is one of our Assistant Ministers.