pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: righteousness


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A Confessing Faith

Reading: Romans 10:5-9

Romans 10:9 – “Because if you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord” and in your heart have faith that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

As we step into Romans 10 today and tomorrow, Paul begins with Moses and the Law. For Moses and for the Jews, righteousness comes through keeping the Law. Do all these things and you will live. Except no one can keep all of the Law. It is not possible. Therefore, if we cannot keep the Law, then it cannot bring life. The greatest effort to keep the Law still leaves one dead in their sin.

In verses 6 and 7 Paul removes the responsibility for finding or earning eternal life from our hands. In a very roundabout way, Paul reminds us that we don’t need to go to heaven or hell – either figuratively or literally – to find Jesus. No, he writes, “The Word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart.” Jesus in Spirit is right here with us. We don’t need to go on a search for Jesus. God has already done the work. It’s not about us doing anything. The Spirit of Christ is here, available to us.

Verse 9 confesses faith in the work that has already been done on our behalf. Here we read, “Because if you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord” and in your heart have faith that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Faith in Jesus is the way to salvation. If we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, then we receive grace, the gift that defeats the power of sin and death. Freed from the power of sin and death, we are able to live as light and love in the world, inviting others to know the source of light and love and grace: Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior.

Prayer: Lord God, we first thank you for the gift of salvation received through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We thank you for doing the hard work that defeated the power of sin and death. We thank you for the grace that flows from Christ’s sacrifice, the grace that removes our sin and makes us new again. We ask that you would use us to reveal these things to the world, so that others can come to a confessing faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Amen.


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Filled with God’s Presence

Reading: Psalm 17:3-7 and 15

Psalm 17:15 – “But me? I will see your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be filled full by seeing your image.”

Returning to Psalm 17 today, David declares his faithfulness. God has examined him and found David’s lips to be without sin. He is living a devout life. David’s feet walk in God’s ways, “firmly on your paths.” As we come before God, whether with our daily petitions or with heartfelt cries for justice and protection, we too are to come before God as people who are right with God.

David’s situation is difficult. He cries out to his faithful God and needs God to respond “now.” David needs to experience God’s love in “amazing ways.” As he seeks refuge from his attackers, David takes refuge in God alone, trusting solely in God’s “strong hand.” There is a deep faith in God. The rescue that has come again and again will surely come through once more. Now would be good, Lord!

When we’ve experienced injustice (or violence or oppression or slander or…) we too must trust our lives to God. And, yes, if we’re honest, we too would like God to listen, see, and respond yesterday. So we can relate to how David feels. But he does not stay there. In verse 15 we read, “But me? I will see your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be filled full by seeing your image.” Whatever the outcome and whenever it happens, David will walk in righteousness. He will choose to have clean lips and to walk in God’s ways. He will do and say what is right. And because of this, each day he will be filled with God’s presence. Each day he will behold the face of God. Living this way, the things of this world will still happen at times. But God will be with us in the middle of all things. God will see us through. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, in difficult times we want you to swoop in and rescue us. No one likes to suffer. Yet, sometimes we must – when it is according to your plans. Because then there is a purpose. Help us to trust into you, O Lord, especially when it is hard. Walk with us through the hard things. Be with us always. Amen.

https://bible.com/bible/37/psa.17.15.CEB


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Justice, Goodness, Righteousness

Reading: Psalm 17:1-2

Psalm 17:2 – “My justice comes from you; let your eyes see what is right.”

In Psalm 17 David names injustice and trusts that God will make things right. This is summed up in verse 2: “My justice comes from you; let your eyes see what is right.” God is the source of justice… and of goodness and righteousness, of mercy and compassion, of empathy and forgiveness… In God’s world, all of these things are interconnected and intertwined. When one stands against oppression, for example, it is driven by empathy and compassion for the victim(s) and it is fueled by one’s sense of justice.

Our reading begins with David imploring God to listen. Listen to what’s right. Listen to my prayer. He feels he can come before God in this way because is living a righteous life – his lips don’t lie! When we live a devout and holy life, we too feel like we have standing before God. In turn, our alignment with God guides our sense of justice…

It is easy to name injustices in our world. The treatment of marginalized and vulnerable populations comes to mind. The high cost of living and limited access to health care are creating hardship for many. The ways that “power over” is exerted and abused, leaving people broken and hurting, needs to be addressed. Systems that increase the gap between the haves and have-nots continue to churn along, oblivious to the negative impact on many people’s lives.

The more challenging step is to take action, to give voice and power to those without, to stand for what is just and right and good. When we allow our faith to guide our way, when we allow the Holy Spirit to lead our words and actions, then we can declare as David did: “My justice comes from you; let your eyes see what is right.” May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, I know that my list is missing many injustices that tear at your heart. You see them all. But this list is my list. We all have our own list. Begin here, O God, in us all. Work in each of us so that we stand and speak for justice, goodness, and righteousness. Use us to fight for a better and more just world. Amen.


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Choosing Death or Life

Reading: Romans 6:20-23

Romans 6:22 – “But now that you have been set free from sin and become slaves to God, you have the consequences of a holy life, and the outcome is eternal life.”

Turning to the last verses of this week’s Epistle reading, Paul focuses on the outcomes of our choice to be a slave to sin or a slave to righteousness. As “slaves of sin” the outcome of doing “things you are now ashamed of” was and is death. In one sense Paul is talking about the outcome at the end of this physical life on earth. A sinful life leads to death and eternal punishment. But there is also a present death that we experience when we choose to be a slave to sin. In this life, living only in sin, there is no true joy, no real peace, no lasting hope. All is temporary and transactional. To live this way is to live as if dead.

In verse 22 Paul contrasts a dead life to a life alive in Christ. In this verse he writes, “But now that you have been set free from sin and become slaves to God, you have the consequences of a holy life, and the outcome is eternal life.” From Paul’s perspective, being set free from sin did not mean that we would never sin again. In his understanding, this meant that we were free as children of God to choose how we will live. Because a part of us will be flesh until we step into eternal glory, we are never totally, 100% free from sin. No longer enslaved to sin, though, we can make our own choices. When we choose to live for God, we experience a “holy life.” This life knows joy, hope, peace, love, grace, community… Yes, one day consistently choosing God will lead to eternal life in glory. But in the here and now, we can choose to live in sin or to live for God. One brings death and one brings life. May we consistently and steadfastly choose God and life. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, while free will ultimately allows us to choose life or death, we do not make our choices in a vacuum. So we ask that the voice of the Holy Spirit would be loud and clear. We ask that the living Word would inform our decisions and actions. We ask that your love and grace would equip and empower us to choose you, again and again. Amen.


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Life in Christ

Reading: Romans 6:12-19

Romans 6:14 – “Sin will have no power over you, because you aren’t under Law but under grace.”

As we turn to Romans 6 today and tomorrow, we read Paul’s arguments about sin and the new life that we find in Christ Jesus. Today’s section begins with this advice: “Don’t let sin rule your body so that you do what it wants.” Here Paul is acknowledging a reality. Sin is always there, always trying to draw us in. Because of this, we must battle every day so that we are not used “as weapons to do wrong.” Instead, Paul encourages us to offer ourselves to God, as people “who have been brought back to life from death” so that we can be used “as weapons to do good” in the world.

Although sin and temptation are powerful, Paul reminds us, “Sin will have no power over you, because you aren’t under Law but under grace.” By the grace made available through Jesus Christ, we are no longer held captive to sin and the guilt and shame that keeps us entangled in our sin and its consequences. As Paul explores our freedom from sin found in Jesus Christ, he lays out the choice we make on a very regular basis. Do we offer ourselves as “slaves of sin,” setting our course towards death? Or do we offer ourselves as “slaves of righteousness,” which leads to holy living? Paul understands that for each of us who seek to follow Jesus, as it was for him, this is a choice made again and again, over and over, many times each day. Each time may we choose life in Christ.

Prayer: Lord God, we face an almost steady stream of temptation. We’re encouraged to just do what feels good, to just sling that verbal barb, to just get more and more for self. We soon enough learn that, as Paul wrote, one sin often leads to another and another. Soon we are enslaved. Lord, we want to choose your will and way. We want to live as children of righteousness. We want to do and be good in this world. O Lord, help us. Only through and with the power of the Holy Spirit inside of us do we stand a chance. Lead and guide us, O God. Strengthen and encourage us. Thank you. Amen.


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What If?

Reading: 1st Peter 3:13-17

1st Peter 3:15b – “Whenever anyone asks you to speak of your hope, be ready to defend it.”

For most of my years as a Christian I have not suffered for my faith. There have been moments, here and there, and a really hard period a few years ago when I could maybe use the term “suffer.” But that has changed a bit recently. In our country, the word “Christian” has been claimed by some that do not look or sound like followers of Christ most of the time. The choice to name this and to push back against it has come with a cost. Now, this is absolutely nothing compared to what Peter and his contemporaries faced. It is extremely minor when set beside what happens today to Christians in a handful of places around the world, where people literally die for their faith in Jesus.

So as we read and consider Peter’s words of hope and encouragement today and tomorrow, we know that his audience and many today read these words much differently than we do. Even so, Peter and other followers of Jesus held and hold an attitude of “happiness” when they suffered for their faith. They were and are being counted as worthy of Jesus’ example. Verbal confrontations and physical threats were common. When Peter writes, “Whenever anyone asks you to speak of your hope, be ready to defend it,” this was everyday advice. Imagine if we lived out our faith in real life in such a way that this was an everyday occurrence for us as well. What if we lived our faith with such holiness and righteousness, with a “good lifestyle in Christ,” so that people regularly asked us to speak of the hope that we have in Jesus Christ? What if?

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the moments when we do get a chance to share of the hope that we have in you. Lord, open our eyes and hearts to the opportunities you give us every day to spread your love and to share the good news. Inspire and empower us to live in ways that increase our opportunities to speak of our hope. Amen.


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Faithful, Loyal Love

Reading: Psalm 36:5-11

Psalm 36:6 – “Your righteousness is like the strongest mountains; your justice is like the deepest sea.”

Photo credit: Freestocks

As I read the first few verses of today’s passage, I could hear the words of Third Day’s “Your Love Oh Lord” in my mind. Hearing these words reminds me that the Psalms are really songs. They are expressions of an array of emotions: joy and defeat, praise and lament. Expressing one’s emotions opens the doors of communication with God. Today’s reading is an expression of praise for God’s faithful and loyal love.

The psalmist rejoices that God’s faithful love is everywhere. David then celebrates the character of God’s righteousness and justice. They are “like the strongest mountain… like the deepest sea.” There is an unshakable and unending quality to God’s love, justice, and righteousness. This is why they flow like a river into our lives and world. David then proclaims that God’s love is “priceless.” Humankind finds “refuge” in God, and in God we find “the spring of life.” Walking in God’s light and love, we know the way to abundant life here and now. Oh how great is the Father’s love for you and for me!

In verse 11 David asks God to “extend your righteousness” to those whose heart is right with God. When we know God’s faithful love in our hearts, we experience it in our lives. This love dwells in us and flows out of us, into the world. In this way, we are living extensions of God’s loyal love. As we live each day, may we bear God’s faithful and loyal love into the world around us, bringing light and joy, justice and refuge, life and hope. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, may our love be like your love, reaching to the furthest corners of our lives, working down into the deepest darkness of this world. May your justice break forth, being poured out for all people everywhere. In and through your love, may all come to experience the joy of your salvation. Amen.


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Answer the Call

Reading: Matthew 5:17-20

Matthew 5:19b – “But whoever keeps these commands and teaches others to keep them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

Turning to verses 17-20 today, Jesus connects being salt and light to fulfilling the words of the Law and the prophets. Jesus came as God in the flesh, as one who would model God’s heart being lived out in the world. In Jesus’ words and actions, we see the depth and breadth of God’s love, mercy, and grace. To get an idea of how Jesus teaches us to fulfill the Law, read the rest of chapter 5.

Returning to today’s reading, Jesus then declares that those who ignore God’s heart and who teach others to do the same, they will be “the lowest in the kingdom of heaven.” Later in our passage, we see that Jesus is speaking of the overtly religious of his day. The Pharisees and legal experts knew the letter of the Law inside out. The living out of the heart of the Law was where they struggled. In the context of yesterday’s reading, they knew what it meant to be salt and light, but they were not being salt and light.

Jesus then proclaims, “But whoever keeps these commands and teaches others to keep them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” To keep the heart of God as one’s guide in all of life, this is our call. We teach best by example. That was Jesus’ model. The Law is centered on love – God’s love for all of us, our love for God, our love for neighbor. It is love that guides us and leads us to be people of mercy, grace, forgiveness, hope, repentance, generosity, justice, humility… This is the righteousness that Jesus describes. It is the righteousness that God calls us to. May we answer the call every day.

Prayer: Lord God, help us to not just be hearers but also doers. Yes, we know we are to love you and to love neighbor. Move us beyond our head knowledge, out into the world. Shape and form us to be people who love practically and tangibly, who practice grace and forgiveness in every opportunity. Use us to restore broken relationships and to redeem unjust practices and systems. In these ways, may your righteousness and glory be revealed to the world. Amen.


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Alignment

Reading: Isaiah 58:1-9a

Isaiah 58:6 – “Isn’t this the fast I choose: releasing wicked restraints, untying the rope of a yoke, setting free the mistreated…?”

As we delve into the words of the prophet today and tomorrow, we do so recognizing the truth in Isaiah’s words yet today. God instructs the prophet to “shout loudly… Announce to my people their crime.” This echoes Micah’s words from last week. The people of Isaiah’s day seek God, yet abandon God. How does this work? Just as it does today. They want to be close to God but they live as if they did not know God. They are focused on self. The people of God “oppress all your workers… You quarrel and brawl.” These actions do not reflect a heart aligned with God’s will and way.

Starting in verse 6, God describes alignment: “Isn’t this the fast I choose: releasing wicked restraints, untying the rope of a yoke, setting free the mistreated…?” God desires a fast that changes hearts, that brings alignment with God’s heart. God’s kingdom on earth will not limit access to community, will not mistreat the other, will not keep people enslaved. It will be a place where all eat, where all are housed, where all are clothed, where all are included. This is the kingdom here on earth that I long for. Do you long for it? What am I, what are you doing to help make this kingdom a reality?

Isaiah looks forward, beginning in verse 8. The prophet shares the outcome of true alignment with God’s heart. Our light will “break out like the dawn” – spreading far and wide, touching every soul. Healing will come quickly and righteousness will guide all of our ways. Aligned with the heart of God, when we call out, God will quickly respond, “I’m here.” God will be with us as we are with God. O Lord, bring the day.

Prayer: Lord God, continue to unsettle us. Continue to open our eyes and hearts to the injustice, oppression, and violence of our time. Continue to raise our awareness of and response to those who live without the basics: food, clothing, shelter, safety, community. Continue to align our hearts with your heart, O God. Walking in step with you, use us to heal our broken land. Amen.


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All Because of Me

Reading: Matthew 5:10-12

Matthew 5:11 – “Happy are you when people insult you and harass you and speak all kinds of bad and false things about you, all because of me.”

As we read on in the Beatitudes today, Jesus invites us to stand for righteousness. Although standing for what is right and just in the world will bring harassment, insult, lies, slander, and worse, to stand for what is right remains the call of the faithful. Jesus encourages us to “be full of joy and be glad” in these times of standing for what is right and just, “because you have a great reward in heaven.”

How might one find joy and gladness when harassed, insulted…? We find joy and gladness in the midst of suffering evil because we are following Jesus’ words and example. In the scriptures we find this lived out again and again. Today Stephen and Paul come to mind. Stephen was stoned to death for proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Savior. He offered joyful praise and extended mercy to his killers as they hurled the stones. Paul writes again and again of joyfully serving Christ even when in chains, after being beaten… The joy and gladness comes through the presence of the risen Christ in the midst of insult, harassment, falsehoods… “all because of me.”

We see this lived out today as people stand against injustice and harassment and false narratives. We see it today as people stand and speak against the abusive power over being applied in the streets of our nation. We see it in our prayers that express our solidarity with those in harm’s way, those who are joyfully being the presence of Christ, placing themselves against these evils. Lord, be present in Spirit, to lead and to guide, to protect and to strengthen.

Prayer: Lord God, in the times, places, and spaces where insult, harassment, and falsehoods are the reality, strengthen and encourage your people to stand and speak for what is just and right and good. For those not physically present, lead and guide the prayers of your people and all else that can be offered as support and encouragement. Heal our land, O God. Pour out your peace and righteousness. Amen.