Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Today’s Reading  |  Romans 3:21–30
But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus. Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one; and he will justify the circumcised on the ground of faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. (NRSV)

Reflection
So much of what Paul writes in his letters to new Christians includes an appeal to be humble. No matter the specific topic he must address—i.e., whether Christians should obey the law, whether people must abstain from eating meats sacrificed to idols, whether the gospel of Christ applies to Jews and Gentiles alike—Paul rarely misses an opportunity to remind his audience that they “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” On this humble basis, therefore, no one has any reason to boast that he or she is better or more worthy than another person. Anything that claims to be the gospel is good news for everyone only if it takes this reality seriously.

A professor of theology once told me that any high doctrine of salvation is accompanied by a low doctrine of sin. I see this correlation present in Paul’s thoughts. What I also find in his letters is a relentless reminder that a gospel that is good for everyone requires us to recognize that, in God’s eyes, we are not better than anyone.

Prayer
Merciful God, you know all too well the ways we try to justify ourselves before you, others, and ourselves. In your mercy, please forgive us. Make us humble, God, that we might truly recognize the height and breadth of your gospel. Amen.

Written by Joyce Shin, Associate Pastor for Congregational Life

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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