In Romans 5, Paul writes of justification. As with most of his comments on this subject, he places the emphasis on faith and grace.
"Therefore, since we are justified by faith," he begins. "Through (our Lord Jesus Christ) we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand," he continues.
It is not we who bring about the change, but "the Holy Spirit which has been given us."
To drive home the point, Paul reminds us that "While we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly." Further, "God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us."
Any claim we might make of righteous living is built upon the foundation of what Christ has first done for us. Any thoughts we might have of pleasing God are but a response to what God has accomplished.
As I have become fond of repeating, "You either believe in grace or your don't." If you do, you live your life confident of God's abiding presence. If you don't, then you continue to be anxious as to whether salvation has truly come.
As with Paul, awareness of God's grace, being poured into our lives, results in a changed life. We cannot return to our selfish and self-centered ways. It is impossible to return to them; we have been remade in the image of Christ. We spend our days telling others of what it is that God has done for us and in us. Our every utterance includes an acknowledgment of how our lives are different, as a result of the grace of God.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
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