I’ll admit my mind is a jumble of thoughts as I type this. Between my Sunday morning study book by Rebecca McLaughlin (the second one of her's I’ve done), the message series at MRPC from Romans (Andy Lewis is doing an incredible job of unpacking it), and some personal challenges I’m working through, I have a lot to process. And that’s not a bad thing as it forces me to consider what is truly important and worthy of my attention.
Romans can be a confusing letter. Often, the ones attempting to lead others through it seem poorly equipped to do so. It can come off as harsh more often than not, as if Paul has a score to settle. At least that’s how I view it. So, I welcomed this series because I knew I’d get a fresh look at the letter and all it has to offer. Today was no exception as we delved into Romans 3. It built on last week, naturally, where we were told we can belong before we believe. The illustration given was that of circumcision. Apt portrayal of the idea to be sure, and it resonated (especially since it was communion Sunday).
Today’s teaching centered on verses I had memorized long ago. But the points made was that the absence of righteousness is often bound up in additional weight we willingly take on. The original Law was there to illustrate an “impossible standard” we couldn’t achieve. Instead of seeing that for what it is, we ended up piling on more rules that made things look even more difficult … or impossible. In doing so, we missed the point. The Law always points to Grace. The example used today was one of gifting you a luxury yacht. We’d have to sell it immediately to pay the taxes because we know we can’t afford it in any way (to own or operate). Yet Father God has gifted us the ultimate luxury we cannot afford through our Divine Brother. Then he goes further and pays the taxes, upkeep, and guarantees all future costs are covered. I don’t think I’ve ever heard Grace explained that way. We bring nothing, and that’s the way it needs to be.
Turning attention to the McLaughlin book (“Confronting Jesus”), the chapter today spoke to me more than usual. The author was candidly talking about a cancer scare intermingled with times Jesus performed healing and interacted with people. The focus of the chapter was that healing now isn’t promised. Pain now actually is. But we usually don’t like to hear that. In some attempt to make sense of the pain, perhaps we’ll pile on more rules and laws to explain things. But in doing so, we miss the point. This isn’t the end game … it never was. There is True Healing in the end. And there is a massive amount of Grace to get us through until we can experience that first hand.
I can tend to let my thoughts and imagination run wild if I don’t choose to focus on the right things. Grace and Healing are always the goal. Both are promised and available, but not usually on our terms. Paul knew that and, if you unpack Romans the right way, that’s what comes through. It’s worth considering in the midst of my struggle. I am accepted and belong while I grow my belief and understanding.
