Tuesday, 29 October, 2002

Continuing the text from Romans for Reformation Sunday:



Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For "no human being will be justified in his sight" by the deeds prescribed by the law for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.(3:19-20)

But now, apart from the law the righteousness of God has been disclosed and is attested by the law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus. (3:21-26)



"Justified by his grace as a gift." Free...without any action on our part. Free. Many people do not receive "gifts" well. Very often we either think we must do something in order to receive a gift...or when we receive a gift we must give a gift back. Can a gift be free...free from any strings...free and clear? YES! We are told that we are made right before God through Jesus' life, death & resurrection - nothing on our part puts us there. Our side of this story is to trust that it is so...without condition. Nothing from the past can negate this gift. Nothing in the present or to come can pull the rug out from under God's promise in Christ. Therefore, we live today in faith....that is, trusting whose we are and living as though it is true. The grace and love of God shapes life more richly than any list of laws.



Connection: Before you do anything today and after you have finished the day and are resting in bed, remember the gift that is for us all. Trust it...and live.



Lord God you lift us up and set us down within the domain of your loving kindness. Keep us mindful of your gracious will and how you never change your mind about us even as we are blown about by the winds of the day that tempt us to follow other word than your promises. Amen.