Lent
February 26, 2015

Scripture Reading: Romans 4:13-25

For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation. — Romans 4:13-15

I think we sometimes forget that the Torah, the laws came after creation, came after Abraham’s epiphany of God, even came after the Israelites were taken into and led out of slavery in Egypt. Paul points out in our scripture that faith supersedes all other aspects of our relationship with God and the resulting impact that has on community. Jesus Christ as the incarnation of God with us lifts us above besting ourselves in meeting the letter of the law and frees us to invest those energies in loving God and loving our neighbors as we love ourselves. Frees us to do justice and show mercy.

Now rules and laws have their place, and certainly what we call the Ten Commandments have stood the test of time. While our sanitary practices have evolved with innovation, we still follow rules to assure good health practices not only for ourselves but to protect others. I doubt if our ancient ancestors in faith ever dreamed we would be issuing rules about net neutrality, but they did have ways of keeping people informed. And our etiquette books are a little thicker than theirs but they still exist.

Rules and laws are malleable as the world adjusts to innovation and changes in resources. God’s love never changes. It is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. As we grow in our love and faith in God, we may find that we are living God’s laws of love that cover a multitude of sins.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the host of witnesses that have gone before us and shared their walks with you as testimonies of your faithfulness. Guide us with the light of your love and let your love shine through us. 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.