Again salvation is looked at as taking time - Willimon.
Is Christ's judgment of us a sign of Christ's faith in us? The parable of the talents - in which the master lavishes such great sums upon the servants - is not only a story of God's judgment but also of God's incredible faith in the servants. The one who judges Israel is first the one who has elected Israel. From this perspective our "damnation" is not so much a work of God but rather our arrogant refusal, our steadfast determination not to be engaged by the work of God in our salvation.
First there is that incredible faith in us. Amazing grace! It is not easy to remember that. Too often we see ourselves and others at a distance from God. And yet, God is the power for life before we even begin to make bets on what we can or cannot do. God calls Israel and the Church - to be the beloved that God has already called us. Unfortunately, we participate in a history of running in the opposite direction in an attempt to be what we would be - damn it! So...the judgment is one we make against the reality in which God places us. It then becomes the way we look at the world around us. We attempt to be judge and refuse to hear the word of God speaking to the world with words of endearment meant to bring us into a life we so often resist.
Connection: Live it. Live within the reality that God see around us and in us.
Your faith in us, O God, is like the manna that keeps alive those who cannot trust but are in great need of being fed. You continue to provide for your love endures forever. We thank you. Amen.
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