Gus Cameron

23 June 2026

Romans 3:27-31

Gus Cameron

23 June 2026

27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of works? No, but on that of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
29 Is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.
31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Certainly not! Instead, we uphold the law.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Paul Bogg

Where I work, we have what are basically half yearly performance reviews. In those reviews, we need to give an account of what we’ve done and all our accomplishments, and the resulting judgement by management determines the course of our ongoing employment – at best, we get a pay rise, or at worst, we get fired. In those reviews I’m tempted to boast, because there’s an opportunity that the boss might see my good works and reward me. But the danger with that is: with extra rewards comes extra responsibilities and burdens, and I don’t want my boss to expect more from me than he already does!

Today’s passage follows on from the big revelation of who can be right with the biggest boss of all: God. The answer revealed in verses 21 to 23 is that rightness (or righteousness) comes solely though faith in Jesus Christ, by virtue of the redemption paid for by the blood of Christ himself. And that redemption is for anyone who believes – both Jew and Gentile.

So then, what of our good works? Is it that I now get a half yearly godliness review to try to prove my worth? Can I level up my prayer answer rate by proving how much more righteous I've been? Today’s passage tells me: No. There is no place for boasting. Actually, I don’t have anything to boast about, because Jesus’ perfect and complete righteousness has already been given to me freely, by grace, through faith alone in Jesus Christ. How could I possibly claim to be any more righteous in the eyes of God!?

So then, where does that leave me? It frees me up. I am free to do good works without being concerned about whether they will make me more (or less!) righteous in God’s eyes. I am free to pray for lots of things and trust with conviction that God hears all of my prayers. Whether I am well and in good times, or whether I’m in sickness, or jobless, or am experiencing brokenness, or feeling low – I can trust in what Jesus has already accomplished for me, knowing full well that I am already right with God, and can rest in that assurance. Praise God together with me for that!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul is a member of our Bossley Park morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

22 June 2026

Romans 3:25-26

Gus Cameron

22 June 2026

25 God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand. 26 He did this to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and to justify the one who has faith in Jesus.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Stephen Shead

A number of years ago I preached an evangelistic sermon on the cross of Christ. It was just after scientists had announced a big discovery related to black holes, and it occurred to me that Jesus’ death on the cross was a bit like a black hole. A black hole is where an unimaginable amount of matter is squashed into a single point of zero size. And when Jesus died on the cross, all the sin of the entire human race – past, present and future – was concentrated into a single point and placed on Jesus. All God’s judgment against sin was poured out on that point, for us. That was the “atoning sacrifice” that God presented in Jesus’ death (v 25).

But reading these verses again, I realised that there’s another way in which the cross of Christ is like a black hole. The inside of a black hole is a mystery that no one fully comprehends, because in a black hole, the normal rules of physics don’t apply. And the death of the Son of God was such a powerful event that the normal rules of justice don’t apply, because God can now do what is otherwise impossible: he can justify sinners.

Or as Paul puts it in verse 26: because of the cross, God is both a just judge and justifies sinners like me. Those two things can’t normally be true. God himself says that judges must not justify the guilty or condemn the righteous (Prov. 17:15). I think that’s why sometimes I think of justification more like God pretending we’re righteous even though he knows we’re really not. But that would make him an unjust judge!

The truth – the glorious truth, the black-hole-mystery truth! – is that if you trust in Jesus, God the just judge has sat in his judgment seat and declared, “You are righteous, completely innocent of all sin, guiltless” … because you now are! Satan looks at you, and he can’t find anything to pin on you.

The thing that makes that true is the death of the innocent Son of God for us. I don’t fully understand how that’s true – but it is! Bask in the light and warmth of that truth today, and give humble and heartfelt thanks to God for such an amazing sacrifice and gift. You really are righteous.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen is our Senior Minister.

Gus Cameron

20 June 2026

Romans 3:21-24

Gus Cameron

20 June 2026

21 But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets. 22 And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Ken Wong

Today's passage is a turning point in Romans. Up to this point, we have learnt of our sinfulness and depravity before God and that on our own we can never measure up to the standard that he requires. We can’t be found righteous before God by our works.

But that’s where Jesus enters the picture. He himself is the righteousness of God, and when we put our faith or trust in him, he clothes us in his righteousness and generously supplies us with his grace so that we are forgiven and justified before God our Judge. His generosity is unceasing and his provisions are abundant.

Despite Jesus' generosity I often find myself still looking for justification from the law or from my performance – somehow wanting to justify myself before God, hoping that my works are good enough to earn his favour. I say to God, “look at my achievements”, “what I good hubby or dad or friend I am,” “look how hard I work.” It’s good to work hard and be responsible with people in our lives. But to seek our value and self-esteem in the things we do is folly and building on shifting sand. Trying to win God’s favour through those things will lead either to pride or to despair.

There is only one way to salvation and eternal life, and that is to come to the cross of Jesus in humility, with empty and open hands, knowing that there is nothing I can bring to bridge the gap between me and God. Christ alone has bridged it for us by his death on the cross. I pray that God keeps reminding us that our sins are many, but his mercy is more.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ken is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

19 June 2026

Romans 3:19-20

Gus Cameron

19 June 2026

19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20 Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin.

REFLECTIONS

Written by TK Nguyen

It has been a while since I’ve read Romans, so even though the passage is short, I had to read it a few times for me to understand it. At the end of verse 19 Paul says that the whole world will be “held accountable to God” – absolutely! We are not perfect by any means. We are sinners. Paul talks about the law, and that makes me think straight away of the Ten Commandments. God has told us in the Bible how we should live and what a godly life looks like.

However, in verse 20 Paul says, “no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law.” No matter how many good deeds we do in our lives it will not make us right before God.

The laws in the Bible are still important for us as a guide from God. They still show us how we should live. But they also make us aware of our sin and in doing so they bring us back to God to ask for his forgiveness.

As I reflect on these verses, I remember that I can’t simply follow the “law” and expect my works to justify me before God. The most important step is to turn to him, confess that I am a sinner and I can’t make myself right with him, and trust in what he did in sending Christ to save us. That leads to a life of striving to live like Christ. Pray that God would help each of us not to rely on our own efforts but to trust wholeheartedly in what Jesus has done on the cross for us, and that he would continue to grow our faith in Jesus as we read the Scriptures.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

TK is a member of our Fairfield Evening congregation.

Gus Cameron

18 June 2026

Romans 3:13-18

Gus Cameron

18 June 2026

13 “Their throats are open graves;
their tongues practice deceit.”
“The venom of vipers is on their lips.”
14 “Their mouths are full
of cursing and bitterness.”
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 ruin and misery lie in their wake,
17 and the way of peace they
have not known.”
18 “There is no fear of God
before their eyes.”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Omar Dewan

How does this passage make you feel?

We're in the middle of Romans 3 and for me, it's painting a really bleak and depressing picture. Yesterday Paul quoted Psalm 14, which says there is no one who is righteous or does good. Now he adds more passages from the Psalms and Isaiah which make it even worse. Not only is he teaching that humanity has turned away from God and does not do good, verses 13-18 today say that all people are dead in their sins, prone to ruin and misery, and quick to put each other to death.

What hope is there for us? I get a similar feeling of hopelessness when I read about the wars and terrible rulers of the world today. I wonder how peace could possibly come about, when leaders jostle for power and act out of their own self-interest – being quick to shed innocent blood. It feels like there's no resolution in sight for the wars in Ukraine, Palestine and Iran – it’s frustrating and really saddening. And unfortunately, this is a cycle that has repeated throughout history and I expect will continue until Christ returns.

Thankfully, as Christians we know that the story doesn’t end here. As we’ll see in the rest of Romans 3, God enters our chaotic world through Jesus to give humanity the gift of righteousness. Through Jesus we can have relationship with God and bring our requests and petitions to Him. So while we may be powerless to stop what’s happening on the other side of the world, take a moment with me to pray boldly to our great and powerful God, asking that He would bring a swift end to the shedding of blood; that a way to permanent peace would be found; and that world leaders would come to fear the Lord.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Omar is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

17 June 2026

Romans 3:9-12

Gus Cameron

17 June 2026

9 What then? Are we any better? Not at all. For we have already made the charge that Jews and Greeks alike are all under sin. 10 As it is written:
“There is no one righteous,
not even one.
11 There is no one who understands,
no one who seeks God.
12 All have turned away,
they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Vivian Abdala

There have been many times when I have compared myself to others and concluded either that I could never measure up to them or that I was somehow better than them. It is easy to fall into the trap of comparison, whether it is in studies, work, or within my family. I can either become discouraged by thinking I am not doing well enough or become prideful by believing I am doing much better than others. Both attitudes reveal a sinful heart and a mindset of seeking to justify myself.

This passage reminds me that comparing myself to others is the wrong standard. Paul quotes Psalm 14, which declares that “there is no one righteous, not even one.” We are all sinners before God and fall short of His perfect standard. No one can claim righteousness based on their own efforts or achievements.

The good news is that righteousness is not something I can earn. I am made righteous only through Jesus Christ. By His grace, God chose and rescued me, giving me a righteousness that comes from Christ and not from myself. This is a great comfort because I cannot save myself or come to God by my own strength. My salvation rests in God’s gracious initiative and mercy.

My prayer is that I would grow in thankfulness for God’s grace each day. I pray that He would guard my heart against comparison and pride by reminding me that there is no one righteous, not even one. May I find my identity not in how I compare myself to others, but in the righteousness of Christ and the mercy that God has shown me.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vivian is a member of our Bossley Park morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

16 June 2026

Romans 3:5-8

Gus Cameron

16 June 2026

5 But if our unrighteousness highlights the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unjust to inflict His wrath on us? I am speaking in human terms. 6 Certainly not! In that case, how could God judge the world? 7 However, if my falsehood accentuates God’s truthfulness, to the increase of His glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner? 8 Why not say, as some slanderously claim that we say, “Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is deserved!

REFLECTIONS

Written by Charis Ould

Today’s passage follows on from Paul’s reminder to the Jews in Rome that God is not false or unfaithful, but the righteous judge. But they now have another question for Paul. If their unrighteousness shows God’s righteousness, then isn’t it unrighteous for him to inflict wrath on those who glorify him? It would be unjust to judge them because their unrighteousness has a good result! So they should just keep sinning because it glorifies God, right?

Paul’s answer is clear. Certainly not! He shows us how foolish this thinking is. God is the judge of the world. He cannot be unjust. We can’t use God’s grace as an excuse to keep on sinning, and say that he should change his judgement. God would not tell us to sin to glorify Him. That goes against His very nature. We have a responsibility for our own actions, and if we encourage sin because of the grace of God then we have misunderstood the gospel. Paul says if we “do evil that good may result”, then our condemnation is deserved.

This argument may seem a bit backward, but I think it is an easy trap to fall into without realising. Like a parent doing their child’s homework because they want them to get good grades – which really just stops the child from learning anything at all. They think if their action has a good outcome, then it is justified. But this is flawed thinking. It would be the same saying, “I receive more grace if I’m more sinful, so I should sin more.” This thinking doesn’t reflect a repentant attitude towards my sin! Nor does it reflect the fact that grace is a free gift, but I still need to count the cost of turning away from my sin. God calls us to repent, and gives us His Spirit to work in us as we seek to live for him.

Thank God for his grace to us, and ask him to help us to live lives that reflect this grace we have been given.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Charis is a member of our Bossley Park morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

15 June 2026

Romans 3:1-4

Gus Cameron

15 June 2026

1 What, then, is the advantage of being a Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Much in every way. First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.
3 What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness? 4 Certainly not! Let God be true and every man a liar. As it is written:
“So that You may be proved right when You speak
and victorious when You judge.”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Stephen Shead

Last week, in Romans chapter 2, Paul lobbed some hand grenades at his fellow Jews … or at least, that’s how they would have heard it. The Jews had been given the Law of God, and God had made the special covenant of circumcision with them. But Paul said neither the Law nor circumcision gave Jews any advantage over uncircumcised Gentiles when it came to salvation.

Paul knew, from his experience preaching the gospel to the Jews, that they would find this highly offensive. So in today’s passage, he repeats and then answers some of the objections that have been flung back at him. First, he says that having the Law might not have given the Jews a free pass to salvation, but it was still a huge blessing and responsibility – they had been “entrusted with the very words of God” (v 2). And second, he says that even though many Jews were rejecting the gospel and so missing out on eternal life, that didn’t mean God was unfaithful to his promises to Israel. His promises were always for those who had faith in him, not for unbelieving rebels.

In the last few days, I’ve been looking ahead to our upcoming sermon on Daniel 9, where Daniel prays a great prayer of confession on behalf of sinful Israel. Daniel understood what Paul’s opponents didn’t – that God had poured out his wrath on his rebellious people Israel because he was faithful to the covenant he had made with them. Even if every person in the world rejects Christ and misses out on salvation, God will still be true, faithful, good, and right in his judgment (Romans 3:4). Praise God that countless multitudes have found salvation through faith in Christ though!

Today got me reflecting on my own background. I was born into a family of faithful, prayerful Christian parents who taught me the gospel from before I could walk or talk. I’ve known for decades what an amazing blessing, privilege and responsibility that is. Paul reminded me today of the fatal mistake I could make – thinking that this blessing means I’ll get special treatment from God or a free pass into heaven, whether or not I take faith in Jesus seriously.

Your story might be similar to mine, or it may be completely different. But I’m sure you know of some way in which God has blessed you – by giving you access to the gospel, a church that teaches the Bible, a solid church family. Thank God for that amazing blessing, and also ask him to guard you from ever forgetting that you, personally, need to trust in Jesus for your salvation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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Gus Cameron

13 June 2026

Romans 2:25-29

Gus Cameron

13 June 2026

25 Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26 If a man who is not circumcised keeps the requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 The one who is physically uncircumcised yet keeps the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.
28 A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly, nor is circumcision only outward and physical. 29 No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Alan Vongsavanh

How often do we judge a person based solely on their appearance? When we see someone wearing a particular uniform, like a police officer or a corporate employee, we naturally assume they uphold the values we associate with that uniform. Yet, experience tells us that clothing can be deceptive. A uniform only affects a person’s outward appearance. It doesn’t necessarily reflect their internal character or beliefs.

We see that distinction in today’s passage from Romans 2:25–29. For Jews in the Apostle Paul’s time, physical circumcision was the ultimate badge of belonging – in this case, belonging to God’s promises and God’s people. Yet Paul here reminds us that an outward symbol is completely worthless if our inner lives contradict it.

The same challenge applies to our church family context. It is dangerously easy to adopt a "spiritual uniform." We can check the box of consistent church attendance, serve diligently in various ministries, and maintain the public image of being a devout Christian. While these are good and important things and we are commanded to meet together and serve, Paul reminds us that God looks past our external performance straight to the heart. He desires an authentic inner life that matches our outer expression in which we have a life truly transformed by the Holy Spirit and sustained by grace.

This text invites us to pause and examine our own walk with God. Are we prioritising our outward spiritual appearance over our internal reality?

The encouraging truth of the gospel is that we do not have to rely on our own strength to sustain a perfect image. In verse 29, Paul points to the liberating truth that the way to be renewed and transformed on the inside is not by our own goodness and deserving, but by the work of God’s Spirit when we give our lives to Christ. Today, let us turn to Jesus and invite Him to renew our hearts. When we allow Him to change us within, a life of genuine faith and love will naturally overflow to the outside.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alan is a member of our Bossley Park morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

12 June 2026

Romans 2:17-24

Gus Cameron

12 June 2026

17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; 18 if you know His will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19 if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24 As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Tina Bogg

As I read this passage, the challenge of not being a hypocrite really strikes home, especially as the last verse talks about how God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles when we know God’s will and his laws and do not do them. Paul is talking to Jews who thought they were better than Gentiles because they had God’s laws. But they were making two mistakes. They had forgotten that what matters is not knowing God’s laws, but obeying them. And they thought they deserved God’s favour and love, unlike Gentile “sinners”.

As Christians, we can be in danger of making the same mistakes. We might feel we are better than non-Christians because we have the gospel, and forget that the gospel should lead us to obedience. Are we dishonouring God by not practicing grace, mercy, forgiveness and loving others as Jesus has loved us? But also, the gospel shows us that we are not better or more deserving than non-Christians, it is only through God’s mercy that we are saved and through his grace and love for us that we are chosen to be a part of his kingdom. We bring nothing to the table, therefore we have nothing to boast about. In fact, we should be more sensitive to our own sin than to the sin of others.

One area I find so tricky to not be a hypocrite is in parenting; yelling at my kids to not yell, telling them to listen when I am not listening to them, asking them to be patient when I’m impatiently rushing them, or encouraging them to apologise and forgive when I also feel pride flaring up and not wanting to admit what I have done wrong. Pray with me that we would have God’s wisdom and humility in seeing where we fall short and continue to ask for his forgiveness, and pray that we can set an example for others of knowing where we stand before God and how much we need and are thankful for his grace every day.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tina is a member of our Bossley Park morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

11 June 2026

Romans 2:14-16

Gus Cameron

11 June 2026

14 Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 So they show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts either accusing or defending them 16 on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Christ Jesus, as proclaimed by my gospel.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Sheina Chen

When I was growing in my faith as a teenager, I had a lot of questions about God, particularly about whether his judgement (and salvation) was fair.

“What happens to the people who’ve never had a chance to hear about Jesus? Will they get judged by God?”

This was a controversial question amongst my high school friends. They thought it was unfair that God didn’t give everyone the opportunity to hear the gospel and repent. How could people in a remote tribe in Africa face the same judgement as someone who’d grown up in church? I didn’t know how to answer them.

I wish I’d known this passage back then, because verses 14 and 15 are pretty clear. Although Gentiles (non-Jews) don’t have the Old Testament Law in the same way that Jews do, they have an innate understanding of the law in their hearts and minds. They know the essentials of God’s moral standard – but even though they try to act in accordance with that moral standard, they fail. So everyone stands guilty before God – both Jew and Gentile. Everyone will face judgement on the day Jesus returns to judge, and God’s judgement of them will be good and fair.

It might be an uncomfortable truth, but it’s one that rings true. When I’ve chatted to friends about whether they think they’re a good person, most will say, “I’m not perfect, but I think I’m pretty good”. Or, ”I think my good actions outweigh the bad ones”. Most people will accept that they fail to do the right thing all the time, even if they haven’t heard the gospel. And those that don’t agree they’ve done anything wrong are probably in denial!

As I reflect on our sin and the judgement we all face, it makes the good news of salvation even more wonderful. How incredible is God’s grace to us – that even though it’s our nature to reject him and his good law, he chooses to save us! It’s such a relief to be able to trust in the salvation Jesus has given us, rather than dwelling on my guilty conscience.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sheina is a member of our Bossley Park morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

10 June 2026

Romans 2:12-13

Gus Cameron

10 June 2026

12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but it is the doers of the law who will be declared righteous.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Paul Bogg

Today’s passage helps answer a question that I once had about God as a younger Christian: does God have favourites? I once thought that since Israel were chosen from centuries of old to know God and be called his people, they could be saved more easily and God would have a bias toward them over people who were not chosen. But in today’s passage, and right throughout Romans so far, it is clear that God shows no favouritism when it comes to salvation. Even more importantly, all people equally need saving, regardless of which culture or background you are from. The reason is clear from verse 12: all have sinned.

Consider my personal background: I was raised in a secular household, knew very little if nothing of the law or commandments of God, and had no connections at all to any religious groups or cultures. If I knew nothing of the law or of what God required of me, did I sin? The answer is a definitive “Yes!” Would I have been held accountable for my sin, even if I knew nothing of God’s law? Verse 12 is clear: “Yes” again.

Consider those who were raised under the Old Testament law. Did any of them keep the entire law their entire lives? No – because as you and I know, nobody is perfect. Otherwise, why would there have been any need for the sacrificial system, if some people were able to be perfectly obedient to the law? Verse 12 tells us: those raised under the law will be judged by the law, and therefore will face the same consequences as those raised apart from the law – because all have sinned.

So where does that leave us? Who can possibly, as verse 13 says, be the “doer of the law who will be declared righteous”? Well – there was one man who could. One man who kept the law perfectly, who didn’t just know the law, but was perfectly obedient to the law, right up until his death: Jesus Christ. And so, because of his perfect obedience, regardless of whether we were raised under the law or apart from the law, we too can be declared righteous. But we don’t need to work to earn that righteousness, we simply receive it through faith in Jesus Christ. His righteousness is credited to us. As Romans 4:24 puts it, God will credit righteousness to those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. That’s good news for people everywhere, all over the world.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul is a member of our Bossley Park morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

9 June 2026

Romans 2:6-11

Gus Cameron

9 June 2026

6 God “will repay each one according to his deeds.”7 To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger.
9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil, first for the Jew, then for the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does good, first for the Jew, then for the Greek. 11 For God does not show favoritism.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Jess Chow

This week I learnt the origin of the term “goody two-shoes”. It’s from an old English children’s story about an orphan girl who is so poor she only has one shoe. However, she persistently does good and as a result, one day she is gifted a pair of shoes by someone she does good for. She runs around excitedly telling people she now has two shoes – hence, goody two shoes! In the time of that story’s publication, it served as an uplifting moral tale about the theme of doing good; yet in our own time, the expression “goody two shoes” is an insult. We often view “doing good” as for the weak and naive, not the strong. Doing good today can feel unrewarded, especially when selfishness seems to be the way to get ahead, but today’s passage reminds me that doing good should be the shape of my life as a Christian.

A little later in Romans, it’s going to become clear that ALL have sinned and deserve condemnation, so eternal life can’t be earned by doing good. But when I turn my eyes upon God who alone is good, and the good life of Jesus – who obeyed His Father perfectly and sacrificed his life for me when I wasn't good – then doing good is following Him, becoming more like Him.

I like that the passage says doing good happens “by perseverance” – it’s often not the quickest path that a self-seeking person might take; and it doesn’t often seem to achieve success when wickedness seems to prosper. But this passage makes the reality of things in God’s eyes very clear. He promises glory and honour to those who pursue a life of good, which may not be fully realised in this life, but the promise is of immortality and eternal life with Him.

So brothers and sisters, may we stay connected to the One who is truly good and by His grace persevere in doing good as we follow Christ.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jess is a member of our Fairfield morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

8 June 2026

Romans 2:1-5

Gus Cameron

8 June 2026

1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on another. For on whatever grounds you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 And we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, O man, pass judgment on others, yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?
5 But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Paul Bogg

Many years ago, I was listening with my kids to some Colin Buchanan songs. One song came on that totally caught me off guard – the song is called “Sinner in the Hands of a Merciful God”. Here's how it starts:

I have strayed from the path of the righteous, O God
I have turned from the way that is hope for my soul
I have lurked in the shadows of darkness and sin,
Save Me, O merciful God!

The words from this song brought me back to the reality of what today’s passage reminds us all about. We all have, at one time or another, strayed from the path of the righteous – and we have no excuse really, because as Paul said in chapter 1 verses 19 and 20, God has made his power and his presence plain to all of us. So since we all previously turned away from him, we have stored up for ourselves wrath that comes from the righteous judgement of God. This wrath is already being revealed (Romans 1:18) – but it will be revealed fully and finally on a day in the future, when his “righteous judgment will be revealed” (v 5).

But there is hope, hope for all of us, and it starts with verse 4: God, in his kindness, tolerance, and patience, gives each us an opportunity to repent. To repent of living a life in opposition to God. Repent from having turned away from him, so that we might turn towards him. Repent from lurking in the shadows of darkness and sin, so that we might come under his light and righteousness. Repent by turning to him, asking for forgiveness, and accepting that the wrath stored up for each of has already been poured out on Jesus Christ in his death on the cross – so that we are fully forgiven if we turn to Jesus as our Lord. Brothers and sisters, this is the gospel message, the good news that Jesus himself brought to us. This is good news worth savouring, worth sharing, and worth singing about. Reflect and savour that good news today.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul is a member of our Bossley Park morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

6 June 2026

Romans 1:26-32

Gus Cameron

6 June 2026

26 For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27 Likewise, the men abandoned natural relations with women and burned with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
28 Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. 31 They are senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Stephen Shead

This is such a sensitive passage that I think it needs a few more words than normal. We need to handle it with clarity, compassion, and confession.

Clarity goes in two directions. The Bible is crystal clear on sex and relationships: God designed sexual intimacy exclusively for the context of a life-long, binding, faithful marriage between a man and a woman. Any other sexual relationships are sin – including the “unnatural” same-sex relations that Paul describes in verses 26-28.

But the Bible is also crystal clear that all sin leaves us equally condemned before God’s judgment throne. God’s wrath is revealed against “all the godlessness and wickedness of men” (v 18). Paul highlights same-sex sinful relationships as an illustration of the way that sin corrupts and distorts God’s good design for his creation – it is an obvious corruption of what is “natural.” But he immediately goes on to describe every kind of wickedness in the same way – as God giving people up “to a depraved mind,” so that they wilfully disobey God and approve of evil (v 28-32). Paul lumps it all together – from same-sex relations, murder and God-hating, to greed, jealousy, gossiping, boasting, and disobeying parents. Homosexual sin is not a special category of sin, because the heart of sin is what Paul described earlier: failing to glorify God or give him thanks, and exchanging the worship of God for worshiping created things (v 21-23). All sin is an outflowing of that, and makes us equally “worthy of death” (v 32).

That leads to: compassion. If you know unbelievers who are actively gay, you should think of them with exactly the same compassion as you think of your unbelieving friends who are argumentative or gossips or hold grudges. We should be horrified at the sin – all of it equally! – and we should eagerly reach out to them in compassion and love with the message that Jesus brings forgiveness and fullness of life.

And with our Christian brothers and sisters who struggle with same-sex attraction, we should view them with exactly the same compassion and grace as we view our brothers and sisters who struggle with anger, jealousy, or pride. In fact, we should view them exactly as we view ourselves – because we are exactly like them! That’s Paul’s whole point: sin is equally corrupting and contemptible, no matter what the particular sin is.

That means when we read this passage, it should move us, not to condemnation of others, but to personal confession. If you read this and mentally point your finger at those terrible people out there (is that what you did?), you’ve missed Paul’s point entirely. Each of us should read it with contrite hearts, reflecting on the depravity and evil of our own sinful tendencies and desires. (If you’re not convinced yet, the kicker is the very next sentence, which we’ll read tomorrow: “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on another!”, Romans 2:1.)

Today’s passage is pretty heavy – but you should also know that this is part of Paul’s long lead-up to the best news of all: that anyguilty sinner can receive God’s righteousness through the death of Jesus on the cross. So as you finish today, bring your own sinful tendencies and desires to God, and ask him by his Spirit to help you see that they are depraved corruptions of his glory and beauty. But also, through Jesus, ask God to help you live by glorifying him and giving him thanks (v 21).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen is our Senior Minister.

Gus Cameron

5 June 2026

Romans 1:21-25

Gus Cameron

5 June 2026

21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
24 Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Monica Ly

This passage provides insight into how our thoughts shape our actions and affect the way we live. In yesterday’s passage Paul wrote about the godless Gentiles, and said that they certainly knew of God—essentially through the things He had made. They failed, however, to glorify or give thanks to Him, and their thinking became futile, ultimately leading them into idolatrous worship.

In contrast, we know God through Jesus. Jesus Himself says if we know him, we know God and have seen God (John 14:7). Jesus and God the Father are one and are united in purpose and works. We see this very clearly in Jesus obediently going to the cross and completing God’s work. When we look to the cross, we see the ultimate expression of God’s character—His uncompromising justice against sin and His boundless love for humanity. Being grounded in the cross enables us to have a right understanding of God and paves the way for true worship.

If I am honest, there have been countless times when I have failed to value God above all things and, as a result, I have not honoured and praised Him as He deserves. I am quick to exchange the truth of God for a lie and worship creation rather than the Creator. Too often, I end up serving and idolising myself, placing my own desires, comfort, and ego above everything else—as though I were the most important person in the universe.

Although this passage convicts me of my idolatrous heart, it also moves me to be thankful for Jesus. The knowledge that Christ took upon Himself the cup of God’s wrath, so that we do not have to face God’s judgement ourselves, moves me to gratitude.

Let us give thanks for God’s revelation to us in Jesus and pray that we will keep reading His Word, the Bible, so that we can grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Only by looking at Christ can we attain a right understanding of God, enabling us to live a life that may please Him and bring praise to Him forever.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Monica is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

4 June 2026

Romans 1:18-20

Gus Cameron

4 June 2026

18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. 19 For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Nathan Ting

One of the things I’ve struggled to reconcile numerous times as a Christian has been: “If the only way to know God is through Jesus, what about the many unreached people in the world who have never heard the gospel? If there’s a remote tribe or village somewhere in the world without any contact with the rest of the world, how will they ever find salvation if they never have the opportunity to hear about Jesus? Isn’t that unfair?”

Today’s passage makes it clear that, no, it isn’t unfair. Paul writes in verse 20 that God has made his invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – abundantly clear through his workmanship, his creation of the world. And indeed, God has displayed his majesty and power in the world He has created, the world that we all live in. From vast, dry, desert plains to lush, green rainforests, with backdrops of impossibly deep, blue oceans and dark, starry skies, the world around us has been elaborately painted and intricately woven together in such a way that makes it inexcusable to not acknowledge the Creator behind creation. So for the remote tribe in question, “…what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them” (v19). And that means the sin of all people – including those who have never heard of Jesus – is not just a matter of ignorance. It’s actively suppressing the truth about God that, deep down, every person knows (v18).

A lot of the time, I take it for granted that I have not only seen God’s handiwork in the world around me, but can actually have a deeper understanding of and relationship with Him through Jesus, “For in him (Christ) all things were created … all things have been created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:16). What a privilege and joy it is for us who have heard the gospel; spend some time now praying for those who haven’t, or those who have but have chosen to harden their hearts.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nathan is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

3 June 2026

Romans 1:14-17

Gus Cameron

3 June 2026

14 I am obligated both to Greeks and Non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.
16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek. 17 For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Tara Sing

When I was in youth group, we would learn a memory verse every term. Through putting together puzzles, playing hangman, making up actions, and singing them to popular tunes, we etched God's word into our memory. I don't remember exactly how old I was, but I know I was a teenager when I learned Romans 1:16 in this way. Back then, in the early 2000s (or as my children say, the olden days) I never really gave much thought to why our youth group leaders chose the particular verses they did. But twenty years on, I am so glad they picked Romans 1:16.

There have been moments where I have been teetering on the edge of speaking up for Jesus, of sharing the reasons behind different life choices, when perhaps awkwardness or embarrassment would have overcome and silenced me. And I have, in those moments, remembered that I don't have to be ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.

There have been times where I have been nervous to explain the gospel, or hesitant to point out to others that they are in need of saving because although they think of themselves as good people, God sees them as sinners. Especially as I meet new people and form new friendships with parents at school, or people at the gym, I can feel uneasy about sharing my faith, unsure of my words, stumbling in my efforts. But Romans reminds me that the gospel is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes. It's not about how winsome my explanations are, or how cleverly crafted my argument is, or how prepared my scripture lessons are, it is God's power that saves.

If Romans 1:16 isn't a verse tucked up your sleeve, I highly recommend looking it up in your Bible now and adding it to your memory verse repertoire. It's a verse that reminds you of your blessed position, saved by the gospel of Jesus, made righteous by the righteousness that is revealed in the gospel, and it gives you confidence to speak of the gospel's saving power to everyone you meet.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tara is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

2 June 2026

Romans 1:8-13

Gus Cameron

2 June 2026

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being proclaimed all over the world. 9 God, whom I serve with my spirit in preaching the gospel of His Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times, asking that now at last by God’s will I may succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, how often I planned to come to you (but have been prevented from visiting until now), in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Laura Lie

This first chapter of Romans is a strong reminder of how small the early church was, since the great Apostle Paul would write personal letters to individual churches! This was not a well-organised “diocese” with complicated governance structures. These were house churches that directly challenged the Roman Empire. Citizens of Rome were supposed to hail Caesar as Lord, but here was a group of people who preached Jesus Christ as Lord (v 4). They often faced severe pressure or persecution as a result.

With that in mind, the verses that stand out to me in today’s section are 11 and 12: “For I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.”

In all honesty, I initially scoffed slightly when I read that, because I immediately forgot the previous verses and the context. I thought: Surely Paul is … well, Paul? He is encouraged already, isn’t he? Blessed with great spiritual strength, much wisdom, etc.? How could they encourage his faith?

But then I think of our church and the things I see that bring me encouragement. Mothers with babies who come to church even when they’re tired and distracted, to hear what they can of God’s word and to fellowship. Our men who sit with visitors or play soccer with the teens. Women who check in and care for each other. Our teams who serve quietly each week in music, cleaning, teaching and the kitchen. Our leaders who speak and minister consistently. Families who make it to church each week despite the chaos of Sunday mornings. Children who play together and welcome newcomers.

Paul’s wisdom becomes transparently clear. Faith is hard alone. Encouragement together is important, and it’s always mutual. He writes of it earlier in verse 8 as well: “I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being proclaimed all over the world."

Not only is salvation through Christ being proclaimed (praise God!), but knowledge of ordinary Christians living out their faith is an encouragement to Paul, to those existing churches, and to us.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Laura is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation..

Gus Cameron

1 June 2026

Romans 1:1-7

Gus Cameron

1 June 2026

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, and set apart for the gospel of God— 2 the gospel He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 regarding His Son, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.
5 Through Him and on behalf of His name, we received grace and apostleship to call all those among the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. 6 And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Stephen Shead

This month, we are beginning a devotional journey through Paul’s majestic letter to the early Christian church in Rome. The letter has some very personal sections, about both Paul’s ministry plans and the situation of the Roman church. But it is also Paul’s most complete explanation of his gospel, the great announcement from God that Jesus had sent him to announce to the Gentiles. And as Paul starts the letter, he wants that gospel to be front and centre.

I’m a big believer in being crystal clear on the gospel. And as I read these verses (for about the millionth time!), the first thing that struck me was Paul’s own gospel clarity: the gospel is about Jesus Christ. In fact, the whole Bible is God’s announcement about his Son – the news promised in the Old Testament and fulfilled in Jesus’ death, resurrection and exaltation as Lord. As I always used to tell my Bible college students in Chile: If you haven’t said something about what God did in sending Jesus, you haven’t told the gospel.

But I was also struck by the theological depth in this brief gospel summary. Paul hints at truths about the Incarnation, and the fact that in Jesus, the Son of God is both God and a man. Paul explains that God’s Son was a descendent of David in his earthly life, or “according to the flesh” (v 3). That implies that the Son of God also exists, and has always existed, outside the sphere of creation, in eternal relationship with God the Father. And yet even in his earthly life as the man Jesus, he was crowned as “the Son of God” and “the Lord” when he was raised from the dead by the Holy Spirit’s power (v 4).

Crystal clear in its essence; and with divine depths that we will never finish exploring. What a gospel!

But I also love how clearly and simply Paul explains what it means to be a Christian: it means “to belong to Jesus Christ” (v 6). And the way you come to belong to him is through “the obedience that comes from faith” (v 5) – by believing the gospel news about Jesus, which sets you on the path of learning to obey Jesus.

Praise God now for the clarity and the depth of his announcement about the Lord Jesus, and enjoy the assurance of knowing that you belong to Jesus.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen is our senior minister.