Saturday, January 4, 2025  

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Today's Scripture
Titus 3:4–7

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (NRSV)

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Reflection

A significant part of the human condition appears to be living in a perpetual state of waiting for some criteria to be met before we can qualify or be deemed suitable for something we want or need. A completely random list of such things that come to mind include:

• “You must be 48 inches tall to ride the Diamondback.”
• Children must be at least 12 years old for air travel as an unaccompanied minor.
• One must be 16 years old to drive, 18 years old to vote, and 21 years old to drink in the U.S.
• You can't become president of the United States until you’re at least 35 years old.
• And one doesn’t become eligible for Medicare until one reaches the age of 65 (the new 40, I’m told).
  

Our reconciliation with God, achieved through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, has been described by one Christian commentator as “the signal event for all of human history,” yet this incomparable gift is offered free of charge to each of us without age, height, income, or any other requirements or restrictions. The language in Paul’s letter to Titus is poetic, upbeat, and hopeful — I love the imagery of the Spirit being “poured out on us” making us “heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

But Paul also addresses the free gift of God’s grace and salvation in much plainer language in Romans 5:8, where he states, “But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.” God’s poetry or God’s prose? Either way, each of us is invited to join the community of believers without a qualifying exam score. It appears that the “Good News” is even better than we thought.

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Prayer
Lord, your message of salvation is offered in a variety of literary styles to speak to the hearts of each of your children. Help us to open our hearts and minds to receive this gift and, once received, help us to share it with others in all we say and do. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

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Written by John Marr, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church   

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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