Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Today’s Scripture Reading 
Romans 10:1–13

Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. I can testify that they have a zeal for God, but it is not enlightened. For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they have not submitted to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that “the person who does these things will live by them.” But the righteousness that comes from faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.”

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (NRSV)

Reflection

In our Protestant Christian tradition, we have a strong emphasis on the idea that we are “saved by faith and not by works.” We put forward the idea of prevenient grace — the grace that “comes before.” God’s grace comes to all people before they do anything. We don’t have to earn God’s grace; it is already offered freely. Even when we mess up, God still loves us and still offers grace.

This does not give us permission to just keep acting badly since we know we’ll be forgiven anyway. Instead, knowing that God loves us unconditionally, we want to do better and be better out of gratitude for God’s amazing gift of grace and love.

God does not remove consequences for our actions. We create consequences and have to live with them. But God’s love is unconditional. God will be with us in any mess we have created, and God will be opening a pathway before us to take the next right step.

Our actions don’t make God love us or not love us, save us or not save us. But trusting in God’s love can help us take better actions. Trusting God, having faith in God’s love, will always lead us toward a better place.

Prayer

Generous and gracious God, open my heart to your love and help me to trust in you. Guide me toward the next right action in my life, and help me to get the help I need. Amen.

Written by Nanette Sawyer, Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Small Group Ministry

Reflection and prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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