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.

Gus Cameron

8 October 2026

Romans 6:15-23

Gus Cameron

8 October 2026

15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law, but under grace? Certainly not! 16 Do you not know that when you offer yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey, whether you are slaves to sin leading to death, or to obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that, though you once were slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were committed. 18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
19 I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to escalating wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.
20 For when you were slaves to sin, you were free of obligation to righteousness. 21 What fruit did you reap at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? The outcome of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the fruit you reap leads to holiness, and the outcome is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Stephen Shead

Only today, I had a conversation with my daughter about freedom. She had a philosophy class at Uni about the concept of freedom and how different philosophers have tried to define it. Lots of people (including philosophers) assume that freedom means being able to do whatever you want, good or bad. If there are any restrictions put on me (like, “don’t sin!”), then I’m not free, am I?

Paul had obviously encountered people who applied the same logic to the gospel of grace – and it was causing major confusion for them. They thought: If we’re not under law, if we’re saved by God’s grace alone through faith in Christ, then why should I be motivated to be godly or to struggle against sin? Logically, if I don’t have to obey God’s laws to be saved, I’m free to sin, right?

But the thing is, life isn’t just about logic. It’s about the beauty and goodness of God. And true freedom doesn’t mean having no restrictions and no principles. True freedom is about relationship, goodness, and being conformed to the image of Christ.

In other words, true freedom is knowing, delighting, and choosing the path of obeying God and becoming like Christ in our thoughts, ambitions and actions – our heads, hearts and hands. As Paul says, being set free from sin means becoming “slaves to righteousness” (v 18), “slaves to God” (v 22). Jesus himself said: “Everyone who sins is a slave to sin … So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:34-36). Not free to sin, but freed from the need to sin, freed from the old master that only seeks to kill you.

If you sometimes struggle to be motivated to fight against sin – because it takes fight and repentance and prayer! – is it partly that you’ve fallen for the twisted logic that says, “Freedom means it’s kind of OK to sin”? Reflect, prayerfully, on Paul’s gospel logic today. In Jesus, God has rescued us from the thing that will only lead to depravity, death, and eternal despair away from God – he has rescued us from sin. What glorious news! That means, more than ever before, you can now do the best thing for you, the thing that will lead you to life, joy, and ultimately eternal glory – you can offer your mind, heart and body to God. You are free to be his slave. What glorious news! Do you want to take hold of that true, life-giving gift of freedom?

As you pray today, begin your prayer with the following words (which come from the Anglican Prayer Book): “Loving Father, whose service is perfect freedom…”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sarah is a member of our Fairfield morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

7 October 2026

Romans 6:8-14

Gus Cameron

7 October 2026

8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God. 11 So you too must count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires. 13 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. 14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

REFLECTIONS

Written by James Davidson

Our present is often shaped by our future. If I am looking forward to a holiday, I will be busy now finding accommodation, booking travel and planning things to do and see. The same is true of our Christian lives. Looking to the future will help us defeat sin now. Because of our union with Christ by faith, just as he has been bodily raised to live with God forever, so when he returns, we will be bodily raised to live with God forever. Then we will never be tempted to sin, we will never sin and we will never die. We will serve God gladly and completely forever. The prospect of this wonderful future should transform how we live now. Paul says, “Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires.” If our future is to be completely done with sin, why would we want to put ourselves back under its mastery now? If our future is to be completely done with death, why would we want to do that which is worthy of death now? If our future is glad obedience, why not strive for that now?

Let’s pray. Father, thank you that we have a future of glad obedience to look forward to, because of Jesus. May this solid hope enable us to increasingly turn away from sin and choose obedience. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

James is an Assistant Minister with our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

6 October 2026

Romans 6:1-7

Gus Cameron

6 October 2026

1 What then shall we say? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2 Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer? 3 Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. 7 For anyone who has died has been freed from sin.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Elise Beck

Imagine a firefighter rescues you from your house that is on fire. Once you’re safely outside, you say, “Amazing! Since you’re so good at rescuing me, I’ll run back inside so you can rescue me again.” That would be crazy, wouldn’t it? Yet as followers of Christ, I wonder if that can sometimes be how we think about sin and God’s grace.

The message that we are saved by grace can be so familiar to us. God sent his one and only Son to die on the cross so that we can be forgiven. What an incredible display of God’s grace towards us. But Paul reminds us here that God’s grace isn’t a free ticket to run back into the fire and continue living in sin.

What struck me as I read this passage was Paul’s description of what has happened to us. Our old self has been crucified with Christ. The person I was before Christ, has died with him. I’m no longer a slave to sin. I’ve been given a new life to live.

And that made me ask myself: Do I actually live as though I am alive from the dead? Do I see my whole life, my heart, my body, my time and my decisions as belonging to God?

As I reflected on that, I realised how often I still think of my life as my own. I can easily think, “What will make me happy? What do I want to do? What is easiest or most comfortable for me?”. But this passage reminded me that my life is no longer simply my own. I have been united with Christ. My old life has died with him, and I am no longer a slave to my own sinful desires.

And I found that both challenging and freeing. Because God’s grace doesn’t just mean that I have just been forgiven for my old sinful life; it means I have been freed to live a new one. So the question I want to keep asking myself is: If I have been given new life in Christ, what would it look like for me to actually live like it today?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elise is one of our Ministry Trainees.

Gus Cameron

5 October 2026

Romans 5:18-21

Gus Cameron

5 October 2026

18 So then, just as one trespass brought condemnation for all men, so also one act of righteousness brought justification and life for all men. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
20 The law came in so that the trespass would increase; but where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Rebecca Shead

It wasn’t that long ago that we were living through a pandemic and enduring strict lockdowns. We were wearing masks, sanitising our hands (and everything that we touched!) all the time, and standing at least 1.5m away from each other. If someone caught COVID-19, they had to isolate themselves from everybody else. During the strictest lockdown phases, that meant everybody who lived in the same house was also required to stay home because they were a “close contact” of the sick person. They were contaminated by association, and in many cases, they also caught COVID-19.

Today’s passage says sin is a bit like that. Adam sinned first, and because he sinned, every single person is also condemned as a sinner (v18-19). We are like “close contacts” of Adam! There is no escape. We have already seen earlier, in Romans 3:23, that every single one of us is a sinner and falls short of the standard God requires.

But thankfully we now have another “close contact” – Jesus! Jesus was 100% obedient to his Father (v19b), even to death on the cross, which was his “one act of righteousness” in v18. Instead of contaminating us with sin and death, being connected to Jesus means we share in his righteousness, enjoy forgiveness of our sin, and receive eternal life.

There are only two options – either you are a still a close contact of Adam and therefore facing God’s judgment for your sin, or you are connected to Jesus by trusting in his death and resurrection to save you from your sin and bring eternal life. Which one are you?

Join me in praying that God will help us to keep trusting him, and not be drawn back into sin. And pray for the people you know who don’t yet trust Jesus and are still in their sin.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rebecca is a member of our Bossley Park morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

3 October 2026

Romans 5:12-17

Gus Cameron

3 October 2026

12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned. 13 For sin was in the world before the law was given; but sin is not taken into account when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who did not sin in the way that Adam transgressed. He is a pattern of the One to come.
15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many! 16 Again, the gift is not like the result of the one man’s sin: The judgment that followed one sin brought condemnation, but the gift that followed many trespasses brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive an abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

REFLECTIONS

Written by Stephen Shead

Paul’s logic in this passage is notoriously hard to follow, but in a nutshell, he’s explaining why God’s gift of justification and eternal life can only come through one man – Jesus Christ.

It all has to do with having someone as our representative. In the modern West, we tend to think each person is an island. I don’t like to think that my life and my destiny are tied to anyone else’s destiny. But God has made us interconnected and interdependent beings. In particular, he sees us all in connection with Adam – which is bad news for us. Adam, our representative, received a clear warning from God that disobeying him would lead to the punishment of death: “You must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die” (Genesis 2:17).

Adam’s decision to eat didn’t just bring sin into the world. It drew a line from sin to death – and that line applies to all of us, because we are all counted in Adam. Our sin is “taken into account” (v 13) – that is, it brings the punishment of eternal death – because of Adam’s trespass (v 15).

The only way for that line to be broken and a new line drawn – a line from sin to eternal life! – is for God to connect us to a different representative. And the only one who can possibly stand as that representative – whose obedience and grace and righteousness are big enough to conquer the evil and brutality of countless generations of sinners – is the Son of God become man, Jesus Christ.

We’ll hear more about the links between Adam and Jesus tomorrow. But as I reflected on these verses, one more think struck me: God’s gift to us in Jesus is wildly excessive! Yes, he chose to have mercy and forgive our sin – but why should that mean we will “reign in life” (v 17)? Why is our new destiny, as we heard back in verse 2, to “rejoice in the hope of the glory of God”? Share in God’s glory?? It’s a bit like having a speeding ticket cancelled, and in its place, the court awards you a $20 million waterfront mansion. Why is God’s gift so over-the-top?

Because that is Jesus’ reward for his perfect righteousness and his obedience to the cross. It’s God’s gift to Jesus, given by raising him from the dead. And if you trust in Jesus, he is your new Adam – your new representative.

Aren’t you glad now that you’re not an island? Thanks be to God for his gift – that we will “reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ” (v 17).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen is our Senior Minister.

Gus Cameron

2 October 2026

Romans 5:6-11

Gus Cameron

2 October 2026

6 For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him! 10 For if, when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! 11 Not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Sheina Chen

I usually think of myself as a nice person. So when the Bible says, “Love your enemies” (Matt 5:44), I think smugly to myself – oh, that’s not too hard – I don’t have any enemies.

But that’s because, thankfully, there aren’t people who are oppressing me or threatening my life. Even those who have wronged me have done it in ways that I’ve been able to move past. But that’s certainly not the case for most people. Many of us have felt deep pain when someone wrongs us.

And so a passage like this, which talks about God’s love for sinners, seems so impossible. When I compare God’s response to his enemies, and my response to my enemies, its worlds apart. If someone seriously wronged me, I would hate them. Or at the very least, I would completely avoid them.

But here, Christ died for the ungodly (V6), for sinners (v7), for his enemies (V10). He died for those who were completely against him. And that’s you and me. People who had completely turned away from God, people who had sinned against him again and again.

And that’s when I am so thankful that God’s love is far, far greater than my love. He doesn’t stay angry or walk away, like I would. I am so thankful that God’s love for us is so great – that he wants us to be reconciled with him. What joyful news, and what an undeserved gift!

Sometimes I feel my sin very strongly. When I’ve been impatient and argued with my husband, when I am too materialistic and greedy for the things of this world. Or even when I wrestle with sins which I find harder to confess publicly. But this passage gives me such assurance – God sees me in all of my weakness. He knows that my heart was turned away from him, and will always be tempted to turn away. And yet, he loved me, and gave his Son for me. And the same is true for you. Our God is so wonderful!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sheina is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

1 October 2026

Romans 5:1-5

Gus Cameron

1 October 2026

1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
3 Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Stephen Shead

Today we’re returning to Paul’s letter to the church in Rome, which we started back in June. In the first four chapters, he explained the doctrine of justification, which is the foundation of God’s saving work in Jesus. All people without exception are guilty before God and deserve to be condemned on the Day of Judgment. But the glorious news is that God sent Jesus to die and rise again as the atoning sacrifice for our sin. That means we can now be “justified by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24). That is, if we trust in Jesus, God the judge declares us to be “righteous”. He acquits us of all guilt, even now, before the Day of Judgment.

That was chapters 1 to 4. But justification isn’t the sum total of all the mercies that God pours out on those who put their faith in Jesus as Lord. There are so many more blessings that are built on top of justification, and in chapters 5 to 8, Paul explains those, as well as answering questions about the gospel of grace.

Today’s verses are a just a taster of those blessings. Being justified brings a new relationship of peace with God, and it brings hope even when we suffer, because we know we will share in God’s glory for eternity. Most of all, it brings the knowledge that God now loves you with an undying, unquenchable, unconditional, eternal love. That’s what Paul means by “God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit” (v 5) – he doesn’t mean that God has made us more loving (though he has). His point is that, when we trust in Christ, the Holy Spirit assures us of God’s amazing love for us (we’ll hear more about that love tomorrow).

Normally, if you’re accused of a crime and hauled in front of a judge, even if the judge acquits you and “justifies” you, that doesn’t mean you’ll become best buddies with the judge. The judge won’t punish you, but he’ll will walk out of the courtroom and never have anything to do with you again. If the only thing God did for us through Jesus was justify us, it might be like that.

Thankfully, the blessings God pours out on us in Jesus are so much more! Justification is just the start. Thank God now for all the rest – for peace with him, for joy in suffering, for hope of everlasting glory, and for his amazing and constant love.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen is our Senior Minister.

Gus Cameron

30 September 2026

Psalm 122 & 123

Gus Cameron

30 September 2026

As you read, keep in mind our two questions:

What things in this Psalm can I relate to?
Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

Psalm 122

A song of ascents. Of David.
1 I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the LORD.”
2 Our feet are standing in your gates,
O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built up
as a city united together,
4 where the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD,
as a testimony for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
5 For there the thrones of judgment stand,
the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May those who love you prosper.
7 May there be peace within your walls,
and prosperity inside your fortresses.”
8 For the sake of my brothers and friends,
I will say, “Peace be within you.”
9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,
I will seek your prosperity.

psalm 123

A song of ascents.
1 I lift up my eyes to You,
the One enthroned in heaven.
2 As the eyes of servants
look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maidservant
look to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes are on the LORD our God
until He shows us mercy.
3 Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy,
for we have endured much contempt.
4 We have endured much scorn from the arrogant,
much contempt from the proud.

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

What things in this Psalm can I relate to?
Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

Gus Cameron

29 September 2026

Psalm 120 & 121

Gus Cameron

29 September 2026

As you read, keep in mind our two questions:

What things in this Psalm can I relate to?
Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

Psalm 120

A song of ascents.
1 In my distress I cried to the LORD,
and He answered me.
2 Deliver my soul, O LORD,
from lying lips and a deceitful tongue.
3 What will He do to you,
and what will be added to you,
O deceitful tongue?
4 Sharp arrows will come from the warrior,
with burning coals of the broom tree!
5 Woe to me that I dwell in Meshech,
that I live among the tents of Kedar!
6 Too long have I dwelt
among those who hate peace.
7 I am in favor of peace;
but when I speak, they want war.

psalm 121

A song of ascents.
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not allow your foot to slip;
your Protector will not slumber.
4 Behold, the Protector of Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD is your keeper;
the LORD is the shade on your right hand.
6 The sun will not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will guard you from all evil;
He will preserve your soul.
8 The LORD will watch over your coming and going,
both now and forevermore.

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

What things in this Psalm can I relate to?
Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

Gus Cameron

28 September 2026

Psalm 119:145-176

Gus Cameron

28 September 2026

As you read, keep in mind our questions for Psalm 119:

1. Can you imagine Jesus praying this to his Father?

2. Is there some situation or area in your life where you need to take God’s word to heart and seek his way?

3. Which part of this do you want to say to God?

145 I call with all my heart; answer me, O LORD!
I will obey Your statutes.
146 I call to You; save me,
that I may keep Your testimonies.
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help;
in Your word I have put my hope.
148 My eyes anticipate the watches of night,
that I may meditate on Your word.
149 Hear my voice, O LORD, according to Your loving devotion;
give me life according to Your justice.
150 Those who follow after wickedness draw near;
they are far from Your law.
151 You are near, O LORD,
and all Your commandments are true.
152 Long ago I learned from Your testimonies
that You have established them forever.
153 Look upon my affliction and rescue me,
for I have not forgotten Your law.
154 Defend my cause and redeem me;
revive me according to Your word.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked
because they do not seek Your statutes.
156 Great are Your mercies, O LORD;
revive me according to Your ordinances.
157 Though my persecutors and foes are many,
I have not turned from Your testimonies.
158 I look on the faithless with loathing
because they do not keep Your word.
159 Consider how I love Your precepts, O LORD;
give me life according to Your loving devotion.
160 The entirety of Your word is truth,
and all Your righteous judgments endure forever.
161 Rulers persecute me without cause,
but my heart fears only Your word.
162 I rejoice in Your promise
like one who finds great spoil.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood,
but Your law I love.
164 Seven times a day I praise You
for Your righteous judgments.
165 Abundant peace belongs to those who love Your instruction;
nothing can make them stumble.
166 I wait for Your salvation, O LORD,
and I carry out Your commandments.
167 I obey Your testimonies
and love them greatly.
168 I obey Your precepts and Your testimonies,
for all my ways are before You.
169 May my cry come before You, O LORD;
give me understanding according to Your word.
170 May my plea come before You;
rescue me according to Your promise.
171 My lips pour forth praise,
for You teach me Your statutes.
172 My tongue sings of Your word,
for all Your commandments are righteous.
173 May Your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen Your precepts.
174 I long for Your salvation, O LORD,
and Your law is my delight.
175 Let me live to praise You;
may Your judgments sustain me.
176 I have strayed like a lost sheep;
seek Your servant, for I have not forgotten Your commandments.

REFLECTIONS

Now reflect on our questions for Psalm 119:

1. Can you imagine Jesus praying this to his Father?

2. Is there some situation or area in your life where you need to take God’s word to heart and seek his way?

3. Which part of this do you want to say to God?

Then pray.

Gus Cameron

26 September 2026

Psalm 119:121-144

Gus Cameron

26 September 2026

As you read, keep in mind our questions for Psalm 119:

1. Can you imagine Jesus praying this to his Father?

2. Is there some situation or area in your life where you need to take God’s word to heart and seek his way?

3. Which part of this do you want to say to God?

121 I have done what is just and right;
do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Ensure Your servant’s well-being;
do not let the arrogant oppress me.
123 My eyes fail, looking for Your salvation,
and for Your righteous promise.
124 Deal with Your servant according to Your loving devotion,
and teach me Your statutes.
125 I am Your servant; give me understanding,
that I may know Your testimonies.
126 It is time for the LORD to act,
for they have broken Your law.
127 Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold,
even the purest gold.
128 Therefore I admire all Your precepts
and hate every false way.
129 Wonderful are Your testimonies;
therefore I obey them.
130 The unfolding of Your words gives light;
it informs the simple.
131 I open my mouth and pant,
longing for Your commandments.
132 Turn to me and show me mercy,
as You do to those who love Your name.
133 Order my steps in Your word;
let no sin rule over me.
134 Redeem me from the oppression of man,
that I may keep Your precepts.
135 Make Your face shine upon Your servant,
and teach me Your statutes.
136 My eyes shed streams of tears
because Your law is not obeyed.
137 Righteous are You, O LORD,
and upright are Your judgments.
138 The testimonies You have laid down are righteous
and altogether faithful.
139 My zeal has consumed me
because my foes forget Your words.
140 Your promise is completely pure;
therefore Your servant loves it.
141 I am lowly and despised,
but I do not forget Your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is everlasting
and Your law is true.
143 Trouble and distress have found me,
but Your commandments are my delight.
144 Your testimonies are righteous forever.
Give me understanding, that I may live.

REFLECTIONS

Now reflect on our questions for Psalm 119:

1. Can you imagine Jesus praying this to his Father?

2. Is there some situation or area in your life where you need to take God’s word to heart and seek his way?

3. Which part of this do you want to say to God?

Then pray.

Gus Cameron

25 September 2026

Psalm 119:97-120

Gus Cameron

25 September 2026

As you read, keep in mind our questions for Psalm 119:

1. Can you imagine Jesus praying this to his Father?

2. Is there some situation or area in your life where you need to take God’s word to heart and seek his way?

3. Which part of this do you want to say to God?

97 Oh, how I love Your law!
All day long it is my meditation.
98 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are always with me.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
for Your testimonies are my meditation.
100 I discern more than the elders,
for I obey Your precepts.
101 I have kept my feet from every evil path,
that I may keep Your word.
102 I have not departed from Your ordinances,
for You Yourself have taught me.
103 How sweet are Your words to my taste—
sweeter than honey in my mouth!
104 I gain understanding from Your precepts;
therefore I hate every false way.
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
106 I have sworn and confirmed
that I will keep Your righteous judgments.
107 I am severely afflicted, O LORD;
revive me through Your word.
108 Accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD,
and teach me Your judgments.
109 I constantly take my life in my hands,
yet I do not forget Your law.
110 The wicked have set a snare for me,
but I have not strayed from Your precepts.
111 Your testimonies are my heritage forever,
for they are the joy of my heart.
112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes,
even to the very end.
113 The double-minded I despise,
but Your law I love.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield;
I put my hope in Your word.
115 Depart from me, you evildoers,
that I may obey the commandments of my God.
116 Sustain me as You promised, that I may live;
let me not be ashamed of my hope.
117 Uphold me, and I will be saved,
that I may always regard Your statutes.
118 You reject all who stray from Your statutes,
for their deceitfulness is in vain.
119 All the wicked on earth You discard like dross;
therefore I love Your testimonies.
120 My flesh trembles in awe of You;
I stand in fear of Your judgments.

REFLECTIONS

Now reflect on our questions for Psalm 119:

1. Can you imagine Jesus praying this to his Father?

2. Is there some situation or area in your life where you need to take God’s word to heart and seek his way?

3. Which part of this do you want to say to God?

Then pray.