A Word just for you.

(Check back from time to time and be sure to Worship this week!)

Read Romans the 4th chapter.

Paul uses a common technique here: he addresses his comments to someone else, but to the benefit of overhearers.

In his opening line he introduces Abraham. His word are obviously directed toward Jews. The Jew MUST accept the historical accuracy of the call of Abraham (Gen. 12) or forfeit their whole claim to be the chosen people of God. He also invites the reader to work only with their carnal mind (the lesser part of our intellect). His argument will be so persuasive that even our lesser brain will grasp it! He tells of the calling of Abraham to be a father of many nations. Abraham was 100 years old. Sarah was 80. Their child bearing days were long past. All of our intellect screams to us that this is impossible. Yet, Abraham believed God and acted on His promise even though his mind would tell him that it could not be. His faith was reckoned to him as righteousness. Since his actions were directed through faith, we can easily conclude that faith was the "prime contractor" for him. This is the entire thrust of this chapter, until we reach the last verse. Paul, in this last verse, introduces the resurrection of Jesus. Still, our intellect cries out that this is impossible. If we accept the notion, we accept it in faith that God's promise is true.

When little children start school, we tell them to stay in the lines, that trees are green, the trunk is brown, and the sky is blue. Dutifully, they comply and try to duplicate what is familiar and accepted. God colors outside the lines. He's full of surprises. Expect a miracle, my friend. Easter is coming. So is Jesus!

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Ok, now read Romans the 5th chapter

Paul has fenced his reader in with a bullet proof argument (Rom. 4). No wiggle room.

Before I can begin this discussion, I must introduce two important points.

1. Humans like to frame their responses. You don't cut fire wood with a steak knife and you don't cut steak with a chain saw.

2. Human law is neatly compartmentalized. If you get stopped for J-walking, you can't be charged with murder. You didn't commit murder. We don't hang J-walkers and we don't ticket murderers . Here's a toughie: God law is a continuous fabric. If you tear it one place, you've torn it all. The sentence is the same. Damnation. Sort of like when you drop a glass and break it. You've got to throw the whole glass away. Maybe only the rim is chipped, but the whole glass is broken and useless.

Paul points out that God loving grace is very much overkill. It is so huge that it can cover any (and all) sin. This is necessary because the sinner (any sinner) has broken the entire law. Here he addresses a question that seems to be a sticking point for some Christians: Can someone be so evil there is no possibility of redemption? The simple answer is NO!

John has already addressed the question of chronology. What about sin (and sinners) who were guilty BEFORE Jesus died on the cross? John 1:1 tell us that nothing existed before Christ. He was before all things.

By Faith (like Abraham and David), we come under this huge blanket of atonement. The atonement has covered our sin, and no matter how large our sin, this Amazing Grace covers it all, with not a tiny corner showing. God can't see sin (law) therefore there is no sin and no condemnation.

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Here's a little Good Friday meditation: Consider Jesus on the cross accepting the guilt for every sin that has or can be committed. Not in some figurative way, but He is actually guilty. And He a sinless man. Feel the terror that Jesus felt. The complete loss and abandonment. For that moment He is hopeless. He will die guilty of every crime ever committed.

Some folks claim that they don't have time for worship. The Lord's Prayer is a complete worship service in 15 seconds:

The Invocation:
"Our Father Who art in heaven"

The hymn of praise:
"Hallowed be Thy Name"

The reading of the prophets:
"Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done"

The Affirmation of faith:
"on earth as it is in heaven"

The prayer for providence:
"Give us this day our daily bread"

The prayer for forgiveness:
"and forgive us our debts"

The prayer of confession:
"as we forgive our debtors"

The prayer for guidance:
"And lead us not into temptation"

The prayer for protection:
"but deliver us from evil"

The offertory:
"for Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory"

The benediction:
"Forever. Amen."

Never say you have no time for worship.