Tuesday, April 12: Romans 3- The Word of God as gift.

 

My heart soars reading Romans.  The wonder and truth of God’s salvation plan refreshes me. My eyes lit on the opening two verses and my thoughts gave them a little twist. Let me explain. The text reads: What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God. I then substituted ‘church’ for ‘Jews’ and adapted the verses this way: What advantage, then, is there in being a church-goer, or what value is there in doing the things of church? Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very Words of God.

Okay, agreed.  I thought, it is not being a church-goer or being a Jew that saves a person, it is a righteousness from God through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe that brings salvation (22). But there is an advantage to being a Jew or a church-goer… both have been entrusted with the very words of God. What a gift! What a blessing!

Through the Word of God, we learn that every person is a sinner (verses 9-18 and all of these are in the Old Testament).   Now, through the New Testament, we learn about the righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, the one prophesied throughout the OT.

Week after week, season after season, Jews and church-goers get to hear the Word of God… words that can and will breathe life, when they are believed. And that truly is a gift and a blessing…

Take a moment and ask yourselves, “Do you believe the Word? Do you allow it to wash over you and inform your thinking and living or do you treat it like the useless drone of music in the malls… life’s background noise and no more important than that…???”

Thank You, God for Your Word… the teachings, the stories, the accounts of the heroes of the faith… Your story of redemption and rescue. Every time we humans turned from You and went out own way, You sent word to call us back. You are a pursuing God.  You are a loving, righteous and just God.  You have given us Your very Words! Teach me to pay attention to Your word, to value Your word and to build my life upon Your very Word… Amen and Amen.