Lent
February 11, 2016
Scripture Reading: Roma
ns 10:8b-13
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.’ –Romans 9-13
The basic tenet of faith stated in today’s scripture was taught to me as a child. It is the doctrine, if you will, of the faith system in which I was raised. I actually believe it even today as an adult surrounded by so many people pushing for differing tests of Christianity including some in my own faith system. It basically says that Jesus Christ is the only one who truly knows who believes in him.
I also believe there is only one God whose name was not uttered by the Hebrews out of respect and is known by many names today. I have no problem with God having many names as there is only one word that can capture the whole essence of God: Love. It is not a name at all but an action.
While I enjoy a good theological discussion as much as anyone and truly enjoy studying the Bible and other writings about God, the true reflection of Jesus Christ is in how we live our lives through our love. We live in a complex world and, I think, we like to keep it complex so we can throw up our hands and say, “I give up” rather than simply loving one another, wanting the very best for another, and letting Jesus judge what that very best is.
Prayer: Lord, help us be lovers of one another not judges. Amen.
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.