Holy One, I ask that our hearts be transformed. May we let go of the false self that convinces us that we earn your love, and special privileges in your Kingdom, and surrender the false belief that there grace is cheap, with no expectations, no accountability, no obligation, or obedience. Teach us the way of costly grace that calls us to give all, for all, as did the one we follow, Christ Jesus. May we seek justice, love kindness, and walk humbly.
Romans 4:1-5
4What then are we to say was gained by* Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh? 2For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3For what does the scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.’ 4Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due. 5But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness.
1) "...according to the flesh;" "...Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness;" "...not reckoned as a gift, but as something due;" "...who without works trusts;" "...But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness;" "...who justifies the ungodly;" "...without works;" "...such faith is reckoned as righteousness;"
2) God justifies the ungodly. God justifies the ungodly. God justifies the ungodly. We are called to trust the one who justifies the ungodly [us]. We are called to trust the one who justifies the ungodly [us]. We are called to trust the one who justifies the ungodly [us]. This trust is the faith that is reckoned as righteous. It seems that "our ancestor according to the flesh" is meant to be a stab at legalism... isn't spirit more than "flesh" in this particular context. So sure, call Abraham your ancestor according to the flesh, it isn't going to "gain" anything for us. Trust is still called of us. We are still called to follow. Abraham's belief can't be a "work" that "earned" justification. His belief is itself a gift.
3) To trust God to justify. Wow... that's hard. I want some control here. I want something to do... like a list or something that I can tick off, "okay, did that, I'm good." No list. Just trust, God's got it covered. God justifies even the ungodly... Its the very ungodly, God justifies.
"Holy One, in your infinite mercy, you justify us in our ungodliness. Thank you. Humble us, that we may witness your justification in right relationship with all our neighbours."
Breathprayer: "God... justifies the ungodly."
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