Lent

March 5, 2020

Scripture Reading: Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

What then are we to say was gained by Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.’ Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due. But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness. –Romans 4:1-5

Abraham is called the first monotheist. God, of course, is the only one who knows the truth of that attribution, but he was the fore-bearer of monotheism among Jews, Christians, and Muslims. My guess is that is why Paul chose to use Abraham’s example as one reckoned as righteous rather than being justified by works. I suppose works vs grace has existed ever since Abraham had his aha experience.

Balancing works and grace is challenging particularly with our Puritan work ethics background. We humans seem to have a need to measure our worth through comparison with others rather than accepting our worth as children of God.

We, however, are called to love the Lord [our] God with all [our] heart[s], and with all [our] soul[s], and with all [our]  mind[s]*. This is not the noun “love.” Jesus is instructing us to live our love in all our actions.

Prayer: God grant us the joy of your grace and enable it to be reflected in our works. Amen.

*Matthew 22:37

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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.