We are now in a devotional journey focused around portions of Carl E. Braaten’s book “Justification.”
The basic elements of Paul’s teaching are well known. The presupposition of Paul’s message is the Old Testament idea of God as the judge who calls for righteousness. Paul also holds that human beings are slaves of sin and stand guilty before God. He rejects the kind of optimism that believes it possible for people to fulfill the law of righteousness. On the other hand, only the righteous can enter into true fellowship with God. Only the gospel can break this impasse.
We are assured that our God is a merciful and gracious God who is always for us. Yes, we are called to be the children of God. Yes, that means it is a name given to us without any action on our side. Yes, it carries a life comes to blossom by the power of the Holy Spirit that is completely alive and active by Grace alone. The Good News, the Gospel, is that story, that truth of God for us…unconditionally and without end. We need not be optimistic in the sense that we can be God’s people. We live within a blessed assurance that is beyond optimism. It is hope. Hope cannot be disappointed.
Connection: Let nothing at all…no issue…no person…no family ties…no power of any kind, try to pull you into trusting any other word that God For Us…from beginning to end. That is the judgment our God offer us.
Grant us peace, O Lord, that we may be people who walk into this day trusting who you have made us through our Lord, Jesus. Amen.
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