Monday, June 23, 2014

June 23rd 2014 

Romans 3:21 - 31

            One of the core documents to which we turn to time and time again for

guidance and direction, is the Epistle to the Romans. St. Paul uses correspondence

to convey his message of the Gospel. He uses letters to build relationships, to provide

for and to nurture the faith of the early church and to speak to those elements of faith that

were the cause of discussion and debate.

            In the third chapter of the Epistle to the Romans, Paul grapples with the challenge

of helping those who were receiving his message to think through some very foundational

elements of the Christian faith. How does the grace of God enable a right relationship with

all who believe in Jesus as God's Son ?

            Paul writes to individuals who felt themselves defined by their work, or place

in society.  How well they did their job, how well they followed God's Law, helped to

frame how they viewed themselves and how they were seen by others.

            Paul's message clarifies and highlights the simple reality that,"...all alike

have sinned....". (3:21) This definition of equality challenged the barriers that

divided races and genders and slaves from their masters. It was a statement that indicated

that everyone was starting from the same starting point as they faced the challenges

of each day.

            Trying to live up to the full expectations of their interpretations of God's Law

provided a level of expectation around which many people built their lives. The results of their attempts were not always successful. To renew a right relationship with God, people

of faith offered sacrifices in worship, with the desire to make amends, to start afresh and

have a new beginning.

            Paul points to the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross as that which, once and for all time,

is an offering made on behalf of everyone. By placing their personal trust, and by having

faith in Jesus, Paul declares that everyone will experience Divine forgiveness and Divine

acceptance.....God's Grace.

            "For our argument is that a (person) is justified by faith quite apart from success in

keeping the law." (3:28)

            The transitional presentation that Paul makes is that God's Law is no longer to be

experienced as a burden to be borne, but rather as a framework upon which life may be

lived and experienced in all its fullness. God's Grace, is that which enables, and empowers faithful followers of Jesus to live life with joy and hope, not in fear and oppression.

            How do you approach life ? Is each day a heavy burden to be carried, or do you experience

each day saturated by God's Grace to be a divine gift to be savoured ?  

   

- The Reverend Canon Christopher B. J. Pratt

[Note: Scripture quotations from Romans, Chapter 3, are from the New English Bible.]