"Boasting... Is Excluded."

I ask for the grace to be transformed, to let go of the comfort of the way things are, and to embrace the way God would have them, though that requires sacrifice and perhaps pain for a time.  May we know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly.


Romans 3:27-31
27 Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. ²⁸For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law. ²⁹Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, ³⁰since God is one; and he will justify the circumcised on the ground of faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. ³¹Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.


1) "Boating? It is excluded;" "...a person is justified by faith;" "...God is one;" "...through the same faith;" "...By no means!"


2) I should do a count to see just how often Paul uses the expression "By no means!" in these first chapters of Romans.  "Hell no!"  The work/law is essential, but it is not a means by which to boast.  And neither is grace.  Grace and obedience, obedience and grace go hand in hand.  We do not "earn" God's grace, grace is a free gift.  But neither is grace something we receive without some expectation, responsibility, and obligation.  The grace is to follow Christ.  Following Christ means seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly.  I've been thinking, if I punch someone in the face repeatedly, and they say, "please stop, you are hurting me," and I say, "Sorry, I don't intend to hurt you," but I keep punching them in the same way, thinking that God's Grace absolves me of consequences, I'm wrong.  I need to stop doing what I'm doing that hurts that someone.  I need to change my ways.  Repentance and Grace go hand in hand.


3) What is the invitation in all this?  Stop boasting.  Stop thinking that for any reason, by merit, or by accident of birth, we are any better than anyone else.  Find gratitude for the privileges, advantages, that have been bestowed on me.  Share them.  Discrepancy in the world creates an opportunity to learn compassion and humility.  Where's ours?  Either one?


"Holy One, teach us compassion and humility, humility and compassion, and lead us to right relationship with all our neighbours."


Breathprayer: "Boasting... is excluded."