Skip to main content

Towards the end - revisiting Grace

I began a series of teachings in September at our church in the book of Romans, and am now nearing the end of it.  As the Apostle Paul comes to the end of his letter to the Romans  he makes two statements that have intrigued me to think some more.

In writing about the need for unity in their differences he urges them to not pass judgment on one another over disputable things in chapter 14.  I dealt with that issue in a message a couple of Sundays ago.  I did not touch much on a verse that struck me more this week - reflecting back on it - than the week I was teaching it.  The passage is Romans 14:22-23 (ESV) 
22  The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.
23  But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. 

The essence of what Paul is saying is that we have freedom before God in many decisions, but if our conscience is bearing witness it is not a faith decision, but rather a sinful one - that is, it might be ok, but if it is not done by faith, it is clearly not faith in action.

NOW, as I said, I didn't really deal with that passage that much.  But in preparing to teach yesterday's message from chapter 15, I found myself thinking about how these two thoughts belong together.
The first thought was the one above in 14:22-23, and the second one is in chapter 15.

Romans 15:14-18 (ESV)
14  I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.
15  But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God
16  to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
17  In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God.
18  For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed,  

Paul's emphasis here is on the conviction that he carried in writing this letter to them - that by God's grace he was set apart to be a minister to the Gentiles, and also commissioned by God in priestly duties for the service of the Gospel.  Paul is not ego centric here, and he is not proud in the sense of "look what I have accomplished".  

His pride comes from seeing what God has done - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - in bringing the Gentiles to faith in Christ through the Grace of God that was poured out to them (us) in the Gospel.
NOW, in a practical I need to add another passage to this in order to make the point.  Reflecting on the Grace of God in his letter to the Corinthians, Paul makes this statement in chapter 15.
1 Corinthians 15:9-10 (ESV)
9  For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
10  But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 

I was riding in the car on the way home from church, and I started to think about the passages above.  In concert they say something very practical about God's grace.  This Grace that comes to us to save us, is also the grace that comes to us for sanctification - that we might know how to toss away those things in life that are not of faith, and therefore, no matter how "ok" they may seem, and not beneficial.

Our identity is one of graced people.  We are people who receive God's grace...and it is effectual to our sinful needs.  But this grace was never meant to be a reason to tolerate sin in our lives.  It is a grace that speaks to our conscience, and it reminds us that what is not of faith is not worth hanging on to.  Literally, "whatever does not proceed from faith is sin" and "his grace toward me was not in vain...on the contrary I worked harder than any of them".  

Dallas Willard wrote his amazing treatise on the Christian life in his book "Divine Conspiracy".  Perhaps one of the most interesting things to contemplate is his words that mirror Paul here:

"Grace is not opposed to effort, but to earning".

We are people of Grace...let's not waste it.

Peace

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hands Full of Parcels

"A Man whose hands are full of parcels can't receive a gift."   - C. S. Lewis Romans 4:13-16 (ESV) 13  For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14  For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15  For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. 16  That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all... The last four days have been best described by the word "fatigue".  It's not an uncommon word in our vocabulary.  Listless, tired, sore.  1300 miles of car travel, being sick, not sleeping well, and eating poorly all add up to the word - fatigue.   Someone onc...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Tabernacle

The readings today are Exodus 36, 37, 38 I wanted to post some pictures of what these various parts of the Tabernacle looked like. It's not the easiest read in the world, but if you persevere through it, you can get a picture of all the different pieces that made up the tabernacle. It is a replica of the various parts of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness: First thing in the chapter listed is the outside of the tabernacle which consisted of curtains tied together and put on cross bars through loops. Next at the beginning of 37 is the table and lampstand: Also, the altar of incense: And, the altar for the burnt offering which was in the courtyard: Finally, the courtyard which made it all come together: Hope that helps with what it might have all looked like. Most importantly, this was their "place" of worship they were building. I hope you have a great day of worship. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
1 comment
Read more

The difference between defending and explaining

The news of recent has focused the suffering of Christians in the middle east who have been martyred for their faith in Christ at the hands of Islamic Terrorists. Through the centuries many Christians have lost their lives as a result of their faith. For us, who live in America, there is little chance that we would have this happen here - but it's entirely possibly that terrorism will strike out at Christians sometime.  But, for many Christians in the western world - especially here in the U.S. - being a Christians who believes God's word there is a form of persecution that is defined by words like "ostracized", "passed over", "ridiculed", and more. What do we do in the face of opposition to faith? When the Apostle Peter writes to the early believers who are undergoing great pressure, even persecution for their faith in Jesus, he gives them this charge. 1 Peter 3:8-18 8  Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly lov...
1 comment
Read more