Lent
March 2, 2017
Scripture Reading: Romans 5:12-19
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned— sin was indeed in the world before the law, but sin is not reckoned when there is no law. Yet death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who was to come. –Romans 5:12-14
How do we change something bad that seems to be unchangeable? Humans seem to be unable or unwilling to stay in constant sync with God. Is the gift of freewill so heady for us or perhaps scary to us that we are drawn to test whether the gift is real or not by acting in ways that are not good for us or for anyone else? What could be accomplished if we were able, through faith, to maintain a constant connection? God seemed to desire such a partnership or God would not have created us. God incarnate, Jesus Christ, came to fill any gaps in our ability to stay in sync with God enabling us to participate fully in developing the world God envisions.
A friend suffering from a re-occurrence of a particularly troublesome form of bone cancer is now undergoing another round of treatment. Before that could happen the hallow places in his bones caused by the cancer were filed with what might be defined in laymen’s terms as glue. It seems to provide the stability necessary to allow treatment to go forward. I could not help but think when I heard about this preliminary step that it sounded a lot like grace.
So, what is our response to such a gift as this? First, we thank God for graciously filling any gaps in our souls that are impeding our full potential in God’s service. Second, we must humbly accept God’s grace as Ephesians 6:13 puts it: Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Finally, we must live God’s love in all aspects of our lives without fear and with the sure and certain nature of the sufficiency of God’s grace.
Prayer: God of Might and Miracles, forgive us when the problems of the world overwhelm us and we break away from your love and your grace. Amen.