Thursday, 27 February, 2003

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



God is the Giver of grace (Psalms 84:11). God's throne is the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). The riches of grace are exhibited in God's kindness through Christ (Ephesians 2:7). The glory of grace is manifest when we receive the gifts offered by God in Christ (Ephesians 1:6). "So that our love for him may become more fervent," says Chrysostom, "he(God) desire nothing from us except our salvation. He does not need our service or anything else but does everything for this end. One who openly expresses praise and wonder at God's grace will be more eager and zealous."



"God desires nothing from us except our salvation," which...God provides for...completely. So, we must remember that God expects us to take hold of what is offered to us by God...offered to us with no strings and no payment. We are God's people because God calls us that...God provides for that...God would not have it any other way! No other word or game or declaration holds any ground next to this eternal embrace by our God who will not let us fall to the side...forgotten or abandoned. I think this is the most powerful truth that can be handed to us. I also know that it is too often forgotten...or...we choose to accept another story as more right and proper and true. And yet, to be a child of God...that is...a child, beloved by the very center of all the creative power that has been and will be, is to have a potential for life that is beyond what we may be able to imagine. But imagine we do...imagine a promise that is as real as the day we enter and the people around us and the blankets we toss to the side as we step out to begin this day.



Connection: What is this amazing grace that can shape us when we think we are completely whipped and without shape and substance!?! We must encourage one another to keep God's promise for life as the very energy for life within this day.



Giver of Grace, change us within the twinkling of an eye so that we may be filled with hope and ready to enter into whatever this day may bring. Change us, Life Giving Lord, from trusting in what we are able to do, to trusting what you have given and will give to us at all times....life. Amen