Monday, 3 February, 2003

We continue with selections from The Justification Reader by Thomas C. Oden.



"There is only one God, who is Lord of all, both Jew and Gentile," argued Chrysostom. "Even in ancient times the blessing of providence were shared by both, although in different ways. The Jews had the written law, and the Gentiles had the natural law, but in this they lacked nothing, because if they tried hard enough, they could always surpass the Jews in their observance...If there was no difference then, much less is there any now, and this Paul establishes even more firmly by demonstrating that both alike stand in equal need of faith."

The turning point at which Paul parted way with the Pharisaic Judaism of his day was his recognition of the grace that allowed him to trust in Christ alone for righteousness. What amazed him was stubborn resistance to receiving this good news. The choice to be made is whether we will cling to our own righteousness, or that of Christ's.



As much as we can talk and preach about the unconditional love of God that is a part of God's gracious reign, there is that "stubborn resistance to receiving this good news." There are so many ways of saying, "Yeh, but" that the word of Christ's saving action is made another conditional piece of the massive system of religious "things that have to be done in order to be God's people." It is as though we must make every person - who is not like the status quo of the day within the Church - go through a period in which s/he will be denied entrance and acceptance under a "Yeh, but" clause. Quite like, "Yeh, but don't they have to....(fill in the appropriate "Yeh, but")." Every time we do this, we once again turn our backs on the word of life that is for all through Christ, Jesus.



Connection: There is no "Yeh, but." Not for you or the people around you. We believe that the power of the Good News is the only power necessary to make a people, God's People. Let yourself engage this day as though you are hearing God whisper God's empowering love for all people every time you are tempted to treat yourself or others as though life has to add up to something before God will shower us with God's love.



Lord of New Life, you bring into our day the peace that comes from the assurance of your never failing love for us. From this love we are given the opportunity to see all things in a new light and in that light we can walk in new ways and joyfully engage our world. Amen.