Week 20, Days 4 & 5
May 19 & 20 Scripture: Romans 3 & 4 “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:22–26) ““Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed are those whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”” (Romans 4:7–8) “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” (Romans 4:25) It can be difficult to work through all of Paul’s teaching in Romans. As can be seen by the vast volumes of commentary and criticisms of the book over the years. There are millions of pages written about these 16 chapters of the Bible. Rather than a meticulous and scrupulous reading of Romans, I’d rather take a 30,000 ft view of it. What is it that I see when I look over this text? I think he is saying, we are blessed. Could it be that simple? I am blessed that my sins are forgiven. I don’t deserve it, but I am! Because of Jesus. Maybe to satisfy those who want it more complicated, Paul is saying, “We are all blessed by God through the faith of Jesus.” We are blessed because he lives. We can live a new life. We are blessed because of His Grace. We are blessed because of his sacrifice. We are blessed because of his mercy. We are blessed. Every one of us, blessed, blessed blessed! You don’t earn it, you don’t deserve it – you are blessed because all have sinned, and now all can be saved. Everyone is blessed by Jesus. That’s his argument. Of course, you can choose to live in that blessing, or not. You can choose to let the news reach your head, ears, heart and life, or ignore it. You can accept it in faith, or reject it. To know Christ and embrace the blessing is to have faith in Him. Choose the blessing freely given us through Christ, today! ““Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed are those whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”” (Romans 4:7–8)
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AuthorJordan Ickes, Minister of Etna Green Church of Christ. Archives
December 2022
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