From the last section of Thomas Oden's book The Justification Reader.
Before the call to sacrifice Isaac, Abraham already believed that all things are possible with God. "What can we say to those who insist that Abraham was justified by works because he was ready to sacrifice his son Isaac on the altar? Abraham was already an old man when God promised him that he would have a son and that his descendants would be as countless as the stars of the sky. Abraham piously believed that all things are possible with God and so exercised this faith. God reckoned him to be righteous on this account, and gave Abraham a reward worthy of such a godly mind, viz. the forgiveness of his previous sins....So even if Abraham was also justified by his willingness to sacrifice Isaac, this must be regarded as an evident demonstration of a faith which was already very strong" (Cyril of Alexandria).
There are so many ways we can try to evaluate this story of Abraham, Sarah and Isaac. When Isaac and his dad went on a trip and this father of one son was going to a place and time when he would have to put to an end the life of the only son...his beloved...his miracle child, there was no hesitation - for Abraham already believed what God said and what God does. Did Abraham do something that put him in God's favor? He merely continued to trust what God was all about...no more...no less. By faith, he steps off the edge - for by faith there is no edge other than one that leads to the promises of God. So...he goes lifts the blade and is ready to put to an end that which would, by promise, lead to new life...because the God of Abraham is the God of promise. For Abraham it is a "no brainer." In fear and trembling, he goes forward trusting that God will be God. He leaps...blade in hand and fire kindled for sacrifice.
Connection: This God of promise is still the God who calls us and promises life when there is no life and peace when there is no peace and justice when we are witnesses of intolerable injustice. What does leaping...faithful leaping look like in the ordinary days of our lives? Go for it...try it out.
Your promises, O God, stir up our hearts and make for possibilities in the midst of what we are sure are impossible times. Continue to inspire us and move us within our daily lives so that we too may take the leap and live as though we trust whose we are...your Beloved. Amen
Wednesday, March 19, 2003
Wednesday, 19 March, 2003
From the last section of Thomas Oden's book The Justification Reader.
Abraham's faith was implicitly a faith in the promise of God's future deliverance (Gregory of Nyssa). Yahweh promised Abraham that all nations were to be blessed through his son, Isaac. Yet Yahweh commanded Abraham to go to Mount Moriah and offer up Isaac as a sacrifice! Abraham nonetheless trusted God, made his necessary preparations, and immediately set out on the journey. This exemplary readiness to trust in God's promise made him the prototype for all persons of faith in the Bible (Hebrews 11:8-19).
He "nonetheless trusted God." That is quite a statement - quite a life move. The son...the gift...the blessing, and yet he is to offer him up to God. But that is not all. The promise is still there. Abraham trusted that even if Isaac was offered up...Abraham would still be the blessed one...and father of a people. That is hope beyond hope. It is trust that continues in the face of what seems to be the greatest absurdity. It is faith in a promise...a promise given by one in whom your whole life will find rest even as there is no rest in sight. Nonetheless...Abraham trusted God...whew! Beyond comprehension...and yet not beyond living faith - a gift to all God's people for life.
Connection: Today...in that face of all that will take place....nonetheless, trust God. In the meantime, gather around others who will be a community of people that will nurture faithfulness in one another.
Lord of the Church, you bring us the great gift of faith in you alone and you send your Spirit to stir up your promise of new life within us. Praise to you for making this a new day that leans on your everlasting promise without compromise. Amen.
Abraham's faith was implicitly a faith in the promise of God's future deliverance (Gregory of Nyssa). Yahweh promised Abraham that all nations were to be blessed through his son, Isaac. Yet Yahweh commanded Abraham to go to Mount Moriah and offer up Isaac as a sacrifice! Abraham nonetheless trusted God, made his necessary preparations, and immediately set out on the journey. This exemplary readiness to trust in God's promise made him the prototype for all persons of faith in the Bible (Hebrews 11:8-19).
He "nonetheless trusted God." That is quite a statement - quite a life move. The son...the gift...the blessing, and yet he is to offer him up to God. But that is not all. The promise is still there. Abraham trusted that even if Isaac was offered up...Abraham would still be the blessed one...and father of a people. That is hope beyond hope. It is trust that continues in the face of what seems to be the greatest absurdity. It is faith in a promise...a promise given by one in whom your whole life will find rest even as there is no rest in sight. Nonetheless...Abraham trusted God...whew! Beyond comprehension...and yet not beyond living faith - a gift to all God's people for life.
Connection: Today...in that face of all that will take place....nonetheless, trust God. In the meantime, gather around others who will be a community of people that will nurture faithfulness in one another.
Lord of the Church, you bring us the great gift of faith in you alone and you send your Spirit to stir up your promise of new life within us. Praise to you for making this a new day that leans on your everlasting promise without compromise. Amen.
Monday, March 17, 2003
Tuesday, 18 March, 2003
From the last section of Thomas Oden's book The Justification Reader.
"What then shall we say about Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh?" (Romans 4:1)
Abraham is the model of faith in the history of salvation. This is seen in his forsaking the land of his birth upon the command of God (Gen.12:1-4), in believing in the promise of many descendants (Gen.12:7; 15:4-8), and in the readiness to offer up Isaac (Gen. 22:1-10; Romans 4:18-21; Hebrews 11:8-19).
Abraham trusted in God, not in his own doubts. "Since Abraham, without the law, obtained glory not by the works of the law (as if he could fulfill the law in his own strength); since the law had not yet been given, the glory belongs to God, not to him. For he was justified not by his own merit, as if by works, but by the grace of God through faith" (Augustine on Romans).
What a wonderful and yet very simple notion. "Abraham trusted in God, not in his own doubts." How many times do you trust in the many questions you have about life or what will happen next or could happen or should happen - rather than in the one word in our lives in which there is no question? I try to tell that to children every week in the children's lesson during worship. That may be why the adults hate it when I speak softly to the children...they want to hear it too! Everyone needs to be reminded...and then reminded again of the one word we can trust...God's first and last action that is always for us...always promise...always life giving - even when death appears to rule. In the Abraham story, Abraham trusted. And yet, we see it as one of the most amazing stories. In the face of all the things that attempt to woo us, Abraham trusts one thing alone...the Lord, God...and the Lord God delivers life. Let the glory be to God.
Connection: Sometimes it is simply impossible for me to grasp the faithfulness of Abraham. Then again, there is this promise about the Holy Spirit igniting faith in each and every one of us. There is no need to go into an evaluative process to judge how "faithful" we have been. We are simply in the position to begin living as people who trust what God says about us. Do turn back and judge yourself or others, rather...begin to walk by faith. And then...again. And then (without looking back), step again into the promised land of God's gracious reign as it is available to us today.
God of Grace, you mend the world and bring your people together as daughters and sons so that we may enter into the fullness of life within your Reign with a sense of wonder and awe. In our warring world, when the gods of the day attempt to break apart your creation, make us agents of your peaceable reign and witnesses to a love that is always seeking to reunite our broken world. Be with us and with all your beloved children. Amen.
"What then shall we say about Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh?" (Romans 4:1)
Abraham is the model of faith in the history of salvation. This is seen in his forsaking the land of his birth upon the command of God (Gen.12:1-4), in believing in the promise of many descendants (Gen.12:7; 15:4-8), and in the readiness to offer up Isaac (Gen. 22:1-10; Romans 4:18-21; Hebrews 11:8-19).
Abraham trusted in God, not in his own doubts. "Since Abraham, without the law, obtained glory not by the works of the law (as if he could fulfill the law in his own strength); since the law had not yet been given, the glory belongs to God, not to him. For he was justified not by his own merit, as if by works, but by the grace of God through faith" (Augustine on Romans).
What a wonderful and yet very simple notion. "Abraham trusted in God, not in his own doubts." How many times do you trust in the many questions you have about life or what will happen next or could happen or should happen - rather than in the one word in our lives in which there is no question? I try to tell that to children every week in the children's lesson during worship. That may be why the adults hate it when I speak softly to the children...they want to hear it too! Everyone needs to be reminded...and then reminded again of the one word we can trust...God's first and last action that is always for us...always promise...always life giving - even when death appears to rule. In the Abraham story, Abraham trusted. And yet, we see it as one of the most amazing stories. In the face of all the things that attempt to woo us, Abraham trusts one thing alone...the Lord, God...and the Lord God delivers life. Let the glory be to God.
Connection: Sometimes it is simply impossible for me to grasp the faithfulness of Abraham. Then again, there is this promise about the Holy Spirit igniting faith in each and every one of us. There is no need to go into an evaluative process to judge how "faithful" we have been. We are simply in the position to begin living as people who trust what God says about us. Do turn back and judge yourself or others, rather...begin to walk by faith. And then...again. And then (without looking back), step again into the promised land of God's gracious reign as it is available to us today.
God of Grace, you mend the world and bring your people together as daughters and sons so that we may enter into the fullness of life within your Reign with a sense of wonder and awe. In our warring world, when the gods of the day attempt to break apart your creation, make us agents of your peaceable reign and witnesses to a love that is always seeking to reunite our broken world. Be with us and with all your beloved children. Amen.
Monday, 17 March, 2003
From the last section of Thomas Oden's book The Justification Reader.
Faith frees the repentant sinner to approach God with confidence, by the power of the Spirit. God the Spirit is providing sure and definite means of grace to encourage the reconciled life: the pure preaching of the Word, baptism, the Lord's Supper, daily scripture reading, worship, and pastoral care.
We approach God with confidence because the Holy Spirit has encouraged us to trust that what God says is true...eternally true. Therefore, there is no reason in the world that we cannot approach our God and begin to live within what I often call the Reign of God. To remind us and to keep us nurtured by God's grace, we are invited to take part in a life that will provide us with regular and active encouragement. It will come in the form of one Christian caring for another, public and private worship, the daily reading of scripture (it doesn't matter how much or how little), and what is traditionally call Word and Sacraments (the visible word) that is shared within worship. There is much that takes place in the community of the followers of Jesus that is a part of what the Holy Spirit whips together in order to make sure we are continually hearing God's word of Grace and in that hearing, we are able to stand on the solid rock of God promises.
Connection: There are too many times within this day when we have to hear about conditional acceptance and conditional relationships. Sometimes, people will even try to sell our relationship with God as conditional. And yet, we can be assured that God awaits us and longs to hear from us and is eager to be for us that sold rock without exception.
Lord of New Life, we trust in you for you have promised to be our source of strength for life no matter what might come upon us. By the power of your Holy Spirit, continue to nudge us and woo us so that we will never be afraid to confidently begin and end our day within your peaceful and gracious embrace. Amen.
Faith frees the repentant sinner to approach God with confidence, by the power of the Spirit. God the Spirit is providing sure and definite means of grace to encourage the reconciled life: the pure preaching of the Word, baptism, the Lord's Supper, daily scripture reading, worship, and pastoral care.
We approach God with confidence because the Holy Spirit has encouraged us to trust that what God says is true...eternally true. Therefore, there is no reason in the world that we cannot approach our God and begin to live within what I often call the Reign of God. To remind us and to keep us nurtured by God's grace, we are invited to take part in a life that will provide us with regular and active encouragement. It will come in the form of one Christian caring for another, public and private worship, the daily reading of scripture (it doesn't matter how much or how little), and what is traditionally call Word and Sacraments (the visible word) that is shared within worship. There is much that takes place in the community of the followers of Jesus that is a part of what the Holy Spirit whips together in order to make sure we are continually hearing God's word of Grace and in that hearing, we are able to stand on the solid rock of God promises.
Connection: There are too many times within this day when we have to hear about conditional acceptance and conditional relationships. Sometimes, people will even try to sell our relationship with God as conditional. And yet, we can be assured that God awaits us and longs to hear from us and is eager to be for us that sold rock without exception.
Lord of New Life, we trust in you for you have promised to be our source of strength for life no matter what might come upon us. By the power of your Holy Spirit, continue to nudge us and woo us so that we will never be afraid to confidently begin and end our day within your peaceful and gracious embrace. Amen.
Friday, March 14, 2003
Friday, 14 March, 2003
From the last section of Thomas Oden's book The Justification Reader.
Even a little faith can have great power. Jesus attested the power of faith in dramatic terms: "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you" (Matthew 17:20).
What does seed have that makes it analogous to the kingdom of God? Readiness to receive the condition of Growth.
The greatness of God's power becomes clear when it brings life from death (1 John 4:7-21). Paul's preaching did not proceed "with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on (human) wisdom, but on God's power" (1 Corinthians 2:5).
I don't like to think of faith as a quantity...a little faith...a lot of faith. For some reason, it always leads into conversations about "enough faith." When people go there, it is as though we are always lacking and if...if...if we had "enough or more faith" this or that would or would not happen. Well, I think the notion of the seed the size of a seed has little to do with an amount of faith. It is faith(period). To trust our God is to be standing in a new place in time. Don't worry about whether it is enough faith, the Holy Spirit is the one who provides the faith in the first place. If it is just a seed size faith...it is a gift...and an amazing one at that. The power for new life is as available in such a small notion of faith that it is indeed "enough." So put the "if only" stuff away and live by faith...the faith that is a gift and is the beginning of our lives.
Connection: Do not be discouraged. Even the faith that looks like someone searching for more...is faith enough. Even the faith that is wandering and confused and not sure what to do and where to go next...is enough. So therefore, keep moving...keep searching and wandering and facing the confusion of the day for the Holy Spirit is at work in, with, and under this day so that our God will be trusted in all that we do.
By the power of your Holy Spirit, O God, you touch us and bring us into this day. We face many times within our day that appear to be able to overwhelm us and yet you promise to lift us up and carry us through all that might attack us. Keep us faithful and let the power of your grace be our encouragement. Amen.
Even a little faith can have great power. Jesus attested the power of faith in dramatic terms: "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you" (Matthew 17:20).
What does seed have that makes it analogous to the kingdom of God? Readiness to receive the condition of Growth.
The greatness of God's power becomes clear when it brings life from death (1 John 4:7-21). Paul's preaching did not proceed "with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on (human) wisdom, but on God's power" (1 Corinthians 2:5).
I don't like to think of faith as a quantity...a little faith...a lot of faith. For some reason, it always leads into conversations about "enough faith." When people go there, it is as though we are always lacking and if...if...if we had "enough or more faith" this or that would or would not happen. Well, I think the notion of the seed the size of a seed has little to do with an amount of faith. It is faith(period). To trust our God is to be standing in a new place in time. Don't worry about whether it is enough faith, the Holy Spirit is the one who provides the faith in the first place. If it is just a seed size faith...it is a gift...and an amazing one at that. The power for new life is as available in such a small notion of faith that it is indeed "enough." So put the "if only" stuff away and live by faith...the faith that is a gift and is the beginning of our lives.
Connection: Do not be discouraged. Even the faith that looks like someone searching for more...is faith enough. Even the faith that is wandering and confused and not sure what to do and where to go next...is enough. So therefore, keep moving...keep searching and wandering and facing the confusion of the day for the Holy Spirit is at work in, with, and under this day so that our God will be trusted in all that we do.
By the power of your Holy Spirit, O God, you touch us and bring us into this day. We face many times within our day that appear to be able to overwhelm us and yet you promise to lift us up and carry us through all that might attack us. Keep us faithful and let the power of your grace be our encouragement. Amen.
Wednesday, March 12, 2003
Thursday, 13 March, 2003
From the last section of Thomas Oden's book The Justification Reader.
Divine pardon is a gift that requires a response. It is a personal gift that must be received by a personal agent.
It is like a costly gift of love that hopes and calls for a response in order that it may be completely given and received.
The benefit of justifying grace can be received only if they are received in trusting responsiveness. Faith's part is simply to acknowledge the rightness of God's act by receiving it trustingly, obediently. Faith praises the Justifier by taking seriously his costly, justifying action.
Receive the gift...it is yours! No other power can bring life like the promise of God to love us in every time and in all places of our lives. There is no way to enter that life if we do not trust, have faith, in the one who brings us into a new life. We each have many reason and excuses as to why we are not "suitable" to live a new life or to be forgiven or to reach out and take hold of a direction for life that we have previously ignored...and yet, when we do that, we turn our back on the One who bids us to enter life and take hold of it abundantly. Remember, no event in our lives has the power to diminish our lives when we trust and accept the gift of God's love for us...a love that pardons and enriches us and will not fail us. We are only asked to receive the gift...take it as ours.
Connection: There is this never ending voice that calls to us to "come home." That is, trust what God has done for us and will do for us each and every day. This day may indeed be filled with a legend of demons that pursue us and try to knock us down, but...our God never ceases to bid us to trust in God's peace and love. Today just may be a day to remind ourselves of the "home" that is ours now and forever.
By your Grace, O Lord, we come to this day reminded of a vision for life that is not consumed by the many powers of discouragement and despair that attempt to trip us up along the way. Be for us the steady hand that supports us in the midst of all trials so that we may may learn to receive you promised life even when it is so difficult to see. Amen.
Divine pardon is a gift that requires a response. It is a personal gift that must be received by a personal agent.
It is like a costly gift of love that hopes and calls for a response in order that it may be completely given and received.
The benefit of justifying grace can be received only if they are received in trusting responsiveness. Faith's part is simply to acknowledge the rightness of God's act by receiving it trustingly, obediently. Faith praises the Justifier by taking seriously his costly, justifying action.
Receive the gift...it is yours! No other power can bring life like the promise of God to love us in every time and in all places of our lives. There is no way to enter that life if we do not trust, have faith, in the one who brings us into a new life. We each have many reason and excuses as to why we are not "suitable" to live a new life or to be forgiven or to reach out and take hold of a direction for life that we have previously ignored...and yet, when we do that, we turn our back on the One who bids us to enter life and take hold of it abundantly. Remember, no event in our lives has the power to diminish our lives when we trust and accept the gift of God's love for us...a love that pardons and enriches us and will not fail us. We are only asked to receive the gift...take it as ours.
Connection: There is this never ending voice that calls to us to "come home." That is, trust what God has done for us and will do for us each and every day. This day may indeed be filled with a legend of demons that pursue us and try to knock us down, but...our God never ceases to bid us to trust in God's peace and love. Today just may be a day to remind ourselves of the "home" that is ours now and forever.
By your Grace, O Lord, we come to this day reminded of a vision for life that is not consumed by the many powers of discouragement and despair that attempt to trip us up along the way. Be for us the steady hand that supports us in the midst of all trials so that we may may learn to receive you promised life even when it is so difficult to see. Amen.
Wednesday, 12 March, 2003
From the last section of Thomas Oden's book The Justification Reader.
Faith is the only condition required for a reconciled relation to the Final Judge. Without faith no one can receive God's saving gifts.
Faith is the indispensable condition for receiving every subsequent stage of God's saving activity. It is the inward pivot of the Christian teaching of salvation. At no point is it possible to say that having discussed faith, we can now turn to teach other subjects so as to leave faith behind...
The power to believe is supplied by grace. It does not come by the fallen nature, or the alienated will acting autonomously. Were faith not enabled by preparing grace, then there could be no meaningful call to faith or guilt due to unbelief.
The Final Judge will be the Final Judge. No matter how you may look at that concept, there is one thing that we must hold within our hearts - the Final Judge...is on our side and judges in our favor. That is what we trust. We have faith in that action to come and therefore we are invited to live as though that judgment has an impact on our living today. Faith each and every day shapes all things. We do not believe once and then it is over. It is not like an agreement signed by us...it is a relationship of trust that becomes manifest in everything we do and all that we are. When we are living in "unfaith" we live differently than as we live having faith in the one who claims us for all time. And yet, in our "unfaith" God's grace continues to pull at us and pave the way for our faithful response to God's gracious reign.
Connection: Our lives of faith grow out of the trust we have in the one who promises us life. It is not a easy as it sounds...at least not for someone like me. Therefore, I firmly believe that the Holy Spirit moves others around me to be a faithful presence to encourage my faithfulness. In other words, we need the faithful people around us.
Saving Lord, by your power and through the work of your Holy Spirit, we continue to enter the days of our lives as though your promised are true and our lives will indeed be enriched by your gracious love for us. Praise be to you! Amen.
Faith is the only condition required for a reconciled relation to the Final Judge. Without faith no one can receive God's saving gifts.
Faith is the indispensable condition for receiving every subsequent stage of God's saving activity. It is the inward pivot of the Christian teaching of salvation. At no point is it possible to say that having discussed faith, we can now turn to teach other subjects so as to leave faith behind...
The power to believe is supplied by grace. It does not come by the fallen nature, or the alienated will acting autonomously. Were faith not enabled by preparing grace, then there could be no meaningful call to faith or guilt due to unbelief.
The Final Judge will be the Final Judge. No matter how you may look at that concept, there is one thing that we must hold within our hearts - the Final Judge...is on our side and judges in our favor. That is what we trust. We have faith in that action to come and therefore we are invited to live as though that judgment has an impact on our living today. Faith each and every day shapes all things. We do not believe once and then it is over. It is not like an agreement signed by us...it is a relationship of trust that becomes manifest in everything we do and all that we are. When we are living in "unfaith" we live differently than as we live having faith in the one who claims us for all time. And yet, in our "unfaith" God's grace continues to pull at us and pave the way for our faithful response to God's gracious reign.
Connection: Our lives of faith grow out of the trust we have in the one who promises us life. It is not a easy as it sounds...at least not for someone like me. Therefore, I firmly believe that the Holy Spirit moves others around me to be a faithful presence to encourage my faithfulness. In other words, we need the faithful people around us.
Saving Lord, by your power and through the work of your Holy Spirit, we continue to enter the days of our lives as though your promised are true and our lives will indeed be enriched by your gracious love for us. Praise be to you! Amen.
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