Good morning. It looks like it is going to be a good day! Sun is shining and wind has decreased! Maybe spring is here for a while!!
I think the general consensus has been that the first two chapters have been tough to read as we see ourselves in what Paul is saying! Paul does seem very harsh, especially to people he hasn't met before (as someone pointed out in the comments). The Jew-Gentile, "Laws"- Jesus, circumcision- non-circumcision debates and discussion continues for a short while in this chapter, and then there is some good news for us all near the end of the chapter! Remember from my original discussion, this letter is probably one of the most influential (other than the gospel stories) pieces of scripture- so there has to be good news!
Paul just spent the last part of chapter 2 explaining that circumcision or possession of "The Laws" alone will not save a Jewish person. So, he asks the question, what advantage is there to being Jewish (v 1)? After all, God shows no partiality (2:11)! Paul answers, of course there is, you have the entire library of faith given to you (v 2). The Jews are the library gate-keepers of God;s holy and sacred word. The Gentiles (us), don't have that! (As an aside- that is evident- we are missing the entire history of the Jews from our thoughts; we don't have the words of the prophets engraved in our hearts, as the Jews do.)
God was faithful to the entire nation, yet some Jews didn't believe (v 3), but God's promise to them will continue and was not wasted on the Jews. God's word is to be trusted- God cannot lie, God does not lie, God cannot change, God does not change (v 4).
Even our "wrongness" shows God's righteousness (v 5). The best example is Judas' betrayal of Jesus. God used the evil and wickedness of Judas (and we can have a huge discussion on that) for good. If Judas didn't betray Jesus, there would have been no crucifixion- and no resurrection- and no Christianity! So, God used evil for good. The common thought of the day was that God's judgement day was coming soon...like maybe tomorrow! And that the Gentiles would be found guilty because of their sin and the Jews would be saved in spite of their sins because of their faith. A unique perversion of Paul's comment about justification by faith- "If we sin more, God will be glorified more because God can do good with that!" Confused yet??
The conclusion of the last few verses,"all of mankind- Jew or Gentile- is guilty before God." The one thing Jews and Greeks have in common is our sin! Paul then lists several Hebrew scriptures to show the witness of universal depravity of humanity! Paul, using Psalms, looks at the human condition from head to foot (literally) and shows how every bit of humanity is wicked and evil and depraved! Depressing? Sad? Upsetting?
Vv 19- 20 sum up what Paul spoke about in the last few lines- the law cannot and does not save us! The laws show us how bad we are! Jews would look at the laws and then judge the Gentiles for their wrongness- not seeing that they too (the Jews) were doing wrong (v 19)! Laws don't save us; laws don't justify us (v 20).
I am so sad at this point...there seems to be no point. There seems to be no way I can do anything good. I am tired of being beaten down, tired of being called out, upset at the condemnation that has been fired at me!
But.
BUT!
There now comes a transition in Paul's writing!
But there is something out there that can save us! Oh I see glory coming!
Paul says, "But, now...(v 21) Now= Jesus= new covenant. The laws didn't save us, the law can't save us, there is something apart from the law, apart from our merits, apart from our own earnings- that can cause us to be right with God.
We are made right through our faith (v 22)! Not by faith- but through faith. Relying on God, knowing God,listening to God, hearing God. There is a universal need (v 23) and a universal offer (v 24) Of grace- forgiveness. We all, even you (!), yah, even me (!) fall short of God. But (there is that word again!), God offers us a free gift- there is no way we could pay for it! So, it is free! God's unmerited favor given without respect to us deserving it.
Paul moves to the centrality of his gospel message- it is through Christ that we are given this gift (v 25). Redemption- the concept of cost and buying back- paid by God so we could freely receive. Jesus, by his death, was a substitute sacrifice for us; Jesus was judged "guilty" so we didn't (don't) have to be. God judged Jesus in our place, sparing us that deserved the judgement. Side note- some texts use the word "propitiation" which means (for Greek and Romans gods) "a sacrifice to buy off the anger of the gods." Meaning- to take the punishment for our sins. And it was God that did it for us (v 25). At the cross, God demonstrated God's righteousness by offering humans justification ("not guilty") by having Christ pay our penalty (v 26).
Paul comes back with a request to stop boasting about what we have done and how good we are (v 27), because we haven't done anything! God did it all...for us. And that justification is for both Gentile and Jews (v 29- 20). Remember- God shows no partiality! We are justified not by laws and faith, but by faith alone (v 30). Martin Luther really focused in on this on his 95 Thesis and the Protestant Reformation. One of his biggest premises was Sola Fide (Faith Alone). The Epistle of James will continue more about the faith that Paul speaks of- what true faith is and how we can express that faith. In short- it is directing our mind and will to be in agreement with God- that is true faith. If we have true faith- then we will live the righteous life that God desires of God's people. Getting back to the law (v 31), people may say- well, then if I have faith, there is no need for laws! However, Paul says that our faith, our true faith, will turn us into the people that are defined by the laws- good people tat do the work and will of God (without having laws) Now, I bet you're really confused! Our faith in God turns us into the people that God desires.
More about this in chapter 4!!
So, the good news we have from Paul is that we are all sinners- but it is through our faith in God that makes us want to be good people and strive for excellence. And thus we are justified (made right) to God.
Some very heavy and deep words! Good thing we have the weekend to digest them!
Enjoy the weekend!
Shalom+
Pastor Paul
Just some of my thoughts on the negativity of the last few chapters. I believe I am an optimist but hopefully not to Pollyanna. Yesterday after the young man left who has been helping me with physical therapy I just kept thinking about him and how kind and nice he was. All the people who have taken care of me and helped me with my recovery have been wonderful. From the nurses, aids, the person who cleaned my room, pt, my family and friends they are good people. It seems we started a long time ago judging people. My reading says...because of Jesus Christ god sets us free from our sins. I still believe we are harsher on each other than god is on us.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend!
What wonderful comments, Cindy. I have found that most (almost all) people in that profession are wonderful - kind, understanding, forgiving and wanting to do what is best for the patient. I am so happy that your recovery is going so well and you have such wonderful people taking care of you.
DeleteGreat comment and reflection Cindy-I agree that we tend to judge more harshly than God does and that we are harder on others including ourselves, than God is. We do need to remember that!
DeletePaul stresses again we are all sinners whether we be Jews or Gentiles. He quotes from the scriptures that tells us how we are sinners. Those are hard words to hear as i fit into so man of the ways that he quotes. He tells how we make excises for ourselves when we sin I have done that also. Then he goes to the good news that Jesus took our sins away when he sacrificed himself for us and that God will forgive us if we have faith in Jesus and believe in Him . However God does not expect us to just blindly live by faith alone but we must also follow some of the laws (commandments) as the will help us to keep from committing the sins again. Faith will help us to keep to Jesus .
ReplyDeleteI think I have the meaning of this chapter. Being human tho we still, even with out faith and love of Christ, do continue to sin and have the Pray for forgiveness.
Cindy, glad to here you are doing well with your therapy, continue to improve.
Have a greeat weekend everyone Love the sunshine.
You do hit a key point- that we are to try to improve! Forgiveness goes only so far- and continually doing something over and over again is probably not the best thing!
DeleteThe most important thing for us is faith- and if we have that faith- we will have a moral obligation to improve who we are.
Good points Clara
I agree with Clara's comments. I thought Paul was being hard on us again, especially after Chapter 2. More circumcision and the Law. However, toward the end of this chapter, Paul tells us that, although our sins are forgiven, we must not boast about it and we must take the extra steps to live a good, wholesome life. We are still sinners, for sure, but we must make moves to be less so than others. I know that this didn't come out the way I wanted it, but I hope you get the message.
ReplyDeleteI remember the word "propitiation" from my upbringing in the Episcopal Church. I think it was used in the Holy Communion service, although I am not 100% sure. I will have to look it up, but it is after midnight here, and I am too tired.
We are supposed to have a rainy Sunday, with snow mixing in toward the end. Winter is loathe to leave in Montana, but we need the rain, so bring it on. Have a good weekend everyone.
What you say is correct- we are to try to improve and do better each day, knowing tat sin is inevitable, but trying as best as we can to avoid those moments and make right decisions!
DeletePropitation is probably used more in the "high churches" than in Methodism. It is the concept of appeasing God and gaining God's favor.
Thanks for the comments and thoughts Jack!
As you know, I am a fan of Paul's. And in his defense for Chapters 1 and 2, he is only saying not to do these things that he has listed, and IF you are doing them, then judgements will happen - not that the Jews and Gentiles that he is writing to are doing them - or I should say doing all of them (since Paul made it clear we are al sinners) In my translation in both vs. 7 and 8 its begins "to them" - meaning, only to those that are doing the things he states. And vs. 10 does say that glory, honor and peace to every man that worketh good - so there is the flip side as well.
ReplyDeletePastor, yes, I was wondering if any of Paul's original letters are still in existence - like the Dead Sea Scrolls that they recently found (recently being relative - LOL).
I loved this chapter. I don't think Paul was judging, I think he was reiterating what was already stated in the OT (about what sin is according to the law) - Paul states it many times that they come from the ot - things that every Jew knew and knew by heart. Showing them what they already knew and leading them into the new territory of the new covenant - that included Jesus and the Gentiles. No one knew better what the Jews were brought up to believe (that they were better then the Gentiles), how Jews judged the Gentiles and others, and their beliefs on circumcision then Paul - who studied under the Master Gamaliel.
I would rather be called out on my sins (which I must confess Paul hit some right on the head in his list) and be told they are sins and wrong according to God then to die and be judged on those sins that I thought were "ok" - you know - the ones that society accepts so are they really sins? Yes, they are, and Paul is here to tell us! He was directed by the Holy Spirit to do so.
But, thank God (literally), I am saved and forgiven and justified through my faith in God. Which I do have. And since God has given me this great gift, I should be giving him back the gift of obeying His laws (not the Jews but what Paul refers to as "natural" laws - is this right, Pastor? Natural laws?
I do not believe that Judas was all evil - though God did use his weakness for all you stated, Pastor. But I do believe that we are saved through faith alone - not acts, not following the laws. However, I believe that we are judged by acts alone - if that makes sense.
Cindy - I am so glad you are having such a positive experience!!
Sorry you are getting snow, Jack!
I hope everyone is enjoying this wonderful weather and I know, Pastor, you are having a wonderful weekend!!
Paul does much about bringing up the Hebrew scriptures and the prophets- he was a Jew and he is trying to first convert the Jews and then the Gentiles. He needs to associate the past with the recent.
ReplyDeleteRe: your comment about being called out for sins...I will do what I can to help with that!!
The concept of "natural laws" refers to the morals and ethics that we have as living creatures: love for offspring, do no harm, self-preservation. The things that we are to do if we are followers of Christ- make sense?
Judas was not all evil,. He was a disciple and I am sure did good while he was part of the 12. God did use his evil act for good, and I think God does the same for us...tries to use our evil/sins for good. Uses them as learning experiences for us and others. Yes, it is faith alone- although James will have a discussion about faith and acts and how he feels about them (James 2).
Great comments Donna. Thanks!