"The Free Gift... Brings Justification."

May our hearts be transformed, may we let go of our false selves and witness our true selves in oneness with Christ.


Romans 5:15-17
15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the one man’s trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many. ¹⁶And the free gift is not like the effect of the one man’s sin. For the judgement following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. ¹⁷If, because of the one man’s trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.


1) "...the free gift;" "...much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for many;" "...abounded for many;" "...the free gift... brings justification;" "...much more surely;" "...abundance of grace;" "...the free gift of righteousness;" "...dominion in life;" "...the free gift;" "...abounded for the many;" "...the free gift;" "...brings justification;" "...the abundance of grace and the free gift;" "...dominion."


2) Phew!  So very grateful to get this far.  The free gift brought through Christ is so much more abounding that anything that came before.  The abundance of grace, bringing justification and right relationship exercises greater dominion than the trespass ever did.  The free gift is not like the trespass, it is infinitely more abundant and powerful.  Justification means being set into right relationship with the world/people around us.


3) What is the invitation in all this?  To let God set us in right relationship.  There are so many ways in which we are in wrong relationship... relationship of trespass... literally.  Right relationship between European Settlers and Indigenous Peoples require that we let God make amends through us.  We need to admit to ourselves, to God and all other people that we have trespassed, and that we continue to unlawfully, and immorally inhabit land that is not ours, and we need to intentionally and explicitly seek amends, by acknowledging the unceded land on which we gather, and not making unsustainable development decisions without full participation of indigenous peoples and seeking their welfare in development, a few dollars a week for 20 years is not enough.


"Holy One, help us to at least desire right relationship with our neighbours, ourselves, the land, and with you."


Breathprayer: "The free gift... brings justification."