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Monday, March 4, 2013 Lenten Reflections Christian Formation Commission |
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Greetings!
Thank you for joining us in prayer and reflection during this season of Lent. We will travel through daily scripture, reflection and prayer. Additional people have been joining us each day. Please feel free to forward these reflections to others. We invite you to explore the other resources for the season found at the bottom of the page as we continue the journey together. Christian Formation Commission |
Scripture
What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about-but not before God. What does Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."
Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
"Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them." Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness. Under what circumstances was it credited? Was is after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before!
And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
Romans 4:1-12 New International Version (NIV)
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Awaken the grace of God in all of us. For it is not by our good works that we're acceptable to God, but by faith in Jesus Christ. Faith is a gift not work. If it was work, then we expect to get paid, and then we would have all kind of expectations from God. The scripture says, "our righteousness is like filthy rags". However, I also believe the apostle James when he said, "faith without works is dead." Work shows our commitment to serve God, but it doesn't save us. Our salvation is in Christ alone.
David understood that, being right with God is happiness, because he was separated from Him when he committed adultery with Bathsheba. Bathsheba became pregnant and told David. However, David planned and murdered her husband (Uriah) when he couldn't trick him into laying with his wife, thus claiming the baby as his. David's life was miserable for a long time until he was confronted by the prophet Nathan. When David acknowledged his sins, God forgave him, but he had to suffer the consequences of that sin for the rest of his life. So, David understood that being right with God is happiness and not by the work we do. When we encounter Jesus, we are made aware of our sins. But he doesn't judge us. He forgive our sins.
So is this blessing of grace, faith and righteousness only for the Jews? Absolutely not. It's for everyone; Jews and Gentiles alike. It's a free gift from God. So, let us all awaken to the grace and love of God for us because we can do nothing to earn it.
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Prayer
Heavenly Father, You are great and awesome, thank you for your Gift of Jesus the Christ. Help me to know that by faith in Him alone, I am saved, forgiven and made righteous. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
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