pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Weak, Ungodly, Sinners No More

Reading: Romans 5:6-8

Romans 5:6 – “While we were still weak, at the right moment, Christ died for ungodly people.”

Photo credit: Nick Fewings

In the first part of this week’s Romans 5 passage we were reminded of the hope, love, and peace that are ours in and through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Yesterday we were also reminded that we don’t just endure but also grow and are refined as the Holy Spirit guides us through the troubles and problems that are just part of living in this world. Looking back, these times can feel like a small miracle. Today, in verses 6-8, Paul turns to the work of Jesus that made and makes all of this possible.

In verse 5 Paul reminds us of this truth: “While we were still weak, at the right moment, Christ died for ungodly people.” There are three parts to this statement. First, Christ died for us while we were still weak. Before his death, all people everywhere were powerless in the battle with sin. Our human flesh is far too weak to stand against the evil one. But with Christ we are strong. Second, Jesus’ death occurred at just the right time. His birth, life, death, and resurrection – all parts of God’s plan. All solidly in God’s control. Jesus’ example, witness, and teachings – all placed exactly when and where they needed to be along the spectrum of God’s unfolding plan to redeem all of creation.

And lastly, Jesus died for the ungodly. This is not bound by time, place, or any other human construct. It is not bound by ethnic or social or even religious constraints. All of humanity are ungodly. Without a saving faith in Jesus Christ, we all live as ungodly, wretched creatures. Without belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we live in a state of separation from God. Without Jesus’ atoning sacrifice, we would live in this state forever. However, Paul reminds us, “while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” Why? Because God loves us. Yes, God loves us.

Prayer: Lord God, it is true that some might die for a good person or for a just cause or even for the right reason. But for the ungodly, for the blind, for the ones lost in sin? Only Jesus and only through love divine. Thank you, O God, for sending your Son, knowing this was his human fate. Thank you, O God. Amen.


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Always There

Reading: Romans 7: 15-25

Verse 21: “So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me”.

Paul’s writing for today is a passage that we can all relate to. Created in the image of God, born with a spark of the divine within each of us – yet we struggle with sin. The human part of us is ever drawn to the desires, pleasures, and other trappings of this world. Inside each of us is both good and evil. A friend once described these as two twin wolves, each fighting for control. His advice was to feed the good wolf because the one you feed is the one that grows.

If this idea were true to the point of starving the evil to death, then eventually we would not sin. Anyone who has sought to walk faithfully with Christ for a number of years knows this is not really possible. As we mature both in age and in faith, yes, some of the sins change or lessen but the evil within never totally disappears. Lust, for example, does not quite have the grip on us at 70 or 80 that it had on us at 20 or 30. But others sins, like fear and worry and control, they seem to gain power as we mature. Even though our journey of faith is one of becoming more and more like Christ, Satan is ever at work in our lives. Good and evil will wage a battle for our hearts and souls until the day we die.

Paul explains his own inner, constant battle in today’s passage. In verse 21 he shares this truth that we all live daily: “So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me”. As inherently good and loving creations of God, we do want to do good in the world, we do want to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and we do want to love one another as Jesus first loved us. Yet evil is always there, lurking in the shadows, waiting for that sliver of fear, that crack of doubt, that fleeting thought of jealousy or anger or envy or pride. Satan is just waiting to take advantage of our weakness.

Paul admits that he is a “wretched man”. We too all feel that way when we have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. As one reads Paul’s words today, there is an undercurrent of hopelessness in Paul’s battle. We too are hopeless in our own battle with sin. We alone cannot defeat or overcome sin. On our own we cannot rid ourselves of the sun or of the guilt and shame that makes us feel wretched and unworthy. Yet into our hopeless and powerless situation steps Jesus Christ. Jesus has the power. He defeated both sin and death. In and through him we find forgiveness and grace, mercy and power. We too can join Paul in rejoicing in God’s gift of Christ. Through Jesus our Lord we can be made new again over and over. Sin never has the last word. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Dear Lord, Paul’s words echo as truth in my life. It seems that an evil thought or an unkind word slips out more often than it should. Gird me up with the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Fill me with a firm foundation of faith for the daily battle ahead each day. Walk with me Lord Jesus. Amen.