“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.”

Matthew 5:3

GE 10 – DD
BSMT – II
Reflection on Romans 4-6

Faith can move mountains. It helps us withstand the trials in life, it enables us to conquer our demons, and it allows us to persevere and flourish through adversities. Romans 4 yet again reminds us that faith holds the key to our salvation as Paul showcases this by using Abraham as an example. It underscores the important role of faith in our lives as Christians as it reminds us that nothing is impossible so long as we have faith, trust, and confidence in God’s plan and purpose for us. As Romans 4:20-22 (NIV) states “Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why ‘it was credited to him as righteousness.'” Therefore, we need not waiver and doubt our Almighty Father because in Him, everything is possible as long as we have faith. This is because through faith, we are strengthened and eventually, we are transformed. Moreover, Romans 4 also teaches us that righteousness is not something that is achieved by doing labor, rather it is achieved by upholding faith that is steadfast and true to God’s word. Hence, by surrendering our lives to God, we will be able to cultivate within ourselves faith that is patient, resilient, genuine, and most importantly, unwavering.

As Christians, we yearn for peace in our lives because this is one of the things that we aim to attain as we live by the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Romans 5:1-2 (NIV) says “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.” With that, Romans 5 implies we are able to find peace together with God and rejoice in His presence because we know that in Him there is hope. I think that Romans 5 wants us to realize that no matter how sinful we are, we will always have hope because God has granted us salvation as long as we repent and turn away from our human wickedness. God has opened his doors to accept us as his children despite how lost, how broken, or how unworthy we think we may be. Paul says that there is nothing that can separate us from God’s mercy and love. Therefore, as stewards of God, we should express our gratitude to the Lord our Redeemer, and emit grace and kindness towards others because that is the very least that we can do for Him after everything that He has done for us. Because of God’s overflowing grace, He strengthens us and provides all our necessities. Hence, we do not have the right to question and doubt Him, for it is in the face of the hardships that we greatly see and experience His steadfast love and mercy.

Finally, in Romans 6, Paul suggests that we should live our lives sin-free after salvation because through this, we are reconciled with God through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. Therefore, we should offer and devote our lives to the glory of God. We should walk and live with God and put into practice the teachings of Jesus Christ so that we may fulfill our role as stewards of God and our purpose as children of God. Aside from the aforementioned, Romans 6 also enables us to understand that sin comes with a price that must be paid which is why we must stay away from sin as much as possible and make wise choices in life that will bring us closer to God. As Romans 6:23 (NIV) says “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Thus, we must commit to God’s plan and follow His teachings otherwise we will not be able to enter the gates of eternal life which is a gift that He has prepared for us. We should not linger on our human desires and act as we like. Instead, we should start repenting and renewing ourselves to become better because that is what God wants. We shall offer our lives unto Him because we owe everything we have to Him and without Him, life would be futile and in vain.

GE 10 – DD
BSMT – II

Reflection on Romans 1-3

We as Christians are called by the Lord to preach and tell people about Jesus’ Good News, that salvation is here, and that we should confide in the Lord, for he is our King, our Savior, our Father, and ultimately, our Creator. As Romans 1:16-17 (NIV) states, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’” That said, Romans 1 calls us to repent from our sins and start renewing our lives with God by our side because we all are sinners and we need salvation, salvation that only God can give us. It is a wake-up call to all of us. It allows us to realize that we humans are wicked in nature which is why we need to find our sense of purpose within God, apply Jesus’ teachings in our lives, and value Jesus’ penal substitutionary atonement in place for our sins. We are lucky enough to be given the privilege to conquer the world and what more can we give back to our Lord than our faith, loyalty, and righteousness? It is indeed simple to say that we have faith and that we are Christians, but when we are tested we become immoral, we compromise our virtues and our faith to please others and gratify ourselves. Despite so, as shameless as we all are, we still keep asking God for the things we want instead of appreciating what we have, we forget to thank him and most importantly, we become nonchalant of our wickedness and we slowly become the opposite of what God wants us to be. It is high time that we become responsible enough to acknowledge that we are sinful and that we are in desperate need of salvation. Hence, we shall repent before it is too late. We shall stand corrected for our sins and finally become responsible stewards of God who embody the fruits of the spirit, who choose humanity over their selfish wants.

With that taken into account, Romans 2 on the other hand reveals to us that faith is paramount in our lives because it connects us with God and it guides us to do what we must. It implies that we are accountable for our doings whether it’d be good or bad. That said, we must answer and face the consequences of our actions in the face of the Lord our redeemer and savior for Romans 2:6-7 (NIV) states that “God ‘will repay each person according to what they have done.’ To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.” Romans 2 calls out those who are hypocrites and those who are judgmental. Moreover, it sheds light on the importance of having a pure heart, wherein we must understand how important moral-decision making is in our lives as it will dictate whether we are genuine to our faith or mere hypocrites who are cowards. Additionally, I think that Romans 2 also teaches us to be more gentle to those around us. It encourages us to cultivate our hearts to become pure, filled with grace, filled with mercy, and filled with God’s steadfast love. As children of God, we must be able to radiate this kind of love to everybody around us and have humility at all times as this is what God calls us to do.

In relation to the aforementioned, Romans 3 reiterates the importance of faith as it is the key to salvation. It reminds us that we will always have hope as long as we do our part and turn away from our evil doings. It tells us that forgiveness is not unattainable as long as we are adamant about our faith and true to our God. Romans 3:23-24 (NIV) says “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” This verse helps us realize that through Jesus’ redemptive efforts, we are given a chance to live righteously in accordance with God’s will. Therefore, we must give much value to Jesus’ penal substitutionary atonement because it is the foundation of our Christian faith as it signifies redemption, reconciliation with God our Father, and eternal hope. Moreover, it highlights the depth of God’s love as he willingly gave his son away for our sins to be forgiven. Furthermore, it allows us to see the magnitude of Jesus’ sacrifice, making us understand and develop a profound sense of gratitude and devotion within Him and the Almighty Father.

GE 10 – DD

“What is a Sillimanian and what makes a Sillimanian different?”

A Sillimanian is a person who lives by the Via, Veritas, Vita, as Silliman University ties its academic vision and mission to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Sillimanians are versatile and compassionate individuals who are always ready to serve and lend a helping hand to others. The Sillimanian community is diverse, therefore Sillimanians are inclusive, accommodating, open, and approachable. Additionally, they are equipped with competence that allows them to stand out together with the character that has been molded by the programs of Silliman University education.

One of the trademarks of Silliman University is the 5Cs: classroom, church, cultural center, courts, and the community. Silliman University exposes Sillimanians to different settings giving them a balanced type of education that develops and enhances their holistic wellness. Because of this, Sillimanians are ready to effectively assume different roles in their chosen endeavors.

Moreover, Sillimanians are dedicated volunteers. They have an unwavering dedication to public service because they are trained with community work as Silliman University integrates theoretical application of their knowledge by exposing them to the community, allowing them to learn and reflect through their experiences. Furthermore, Sillimanians are committed to living a healthy Christian life. Silliman University has fostered and nurtured a profound faith within them, helping them persevere and persist through the challenges and hurdles that they may face in their future aspirations. Hence, Sillimanians are well-rounded individuals who are equipped with knowledge, skills, and values to make a positive impact on the world.

GE 10 – DD

“What makes you a Sillimanian?”

I am a Sillimanian because I embody the gleeful smile, the genuine Christian faith, and the multi-intellectual faculties that Silliman University has given me. I am a Sillimanian because volunteerism is embedded within me. I am able to interact with my community confidently and openly, knowing that I am capable and ready to cater to their needs with the holistic theoretical knowledge that I have garnered from Silliman University’s 5 Cs.

Sillliman University has nurtured my strengths and has trained me to use it effectively and purposefully, so that the warmth that I exude and the strengths that I possess may touch the hearts of everyone around me. I am a Sillimanian because I stand as a living testimony to the Via, Veritas, Vita as I value and give importance to the teachings of the gospel and use them to inspire, motivate, encourage, and teach others some of the values, learnings, and virtues that it has taught me.

Moreover, I am a Sillimanian because I exude competence that is centered on self-improvement for the betterment of all wherein, I am able to acknowledge my shortcomings leading to the process of self-actualization and self-reflection, so that I become a better individual each day. Finally, I am a Sillimanian because I am committed to using my skills, gifts, and talents to serve others and transform the world to become better and brighter. I am different because I am a Sillimanian, a person of faith, competence, character, and compassion, with a purpose and a heart for everyone.