Now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, though testified to by the law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.
Yesterday we saw Saint Paul's Letter to the Romans leading up to this signal statement in Chapter 3: "For there is no distinction; all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God. I frame the question as, "How do you convict a good person of sin?"
Saint Paul was absolutely convinced that the "law" cannot save us. This was partly because he remembered the dark violence of his own past, how viciously he had behaved toward Christians before his encounter with Christ. He gives us little more detail about his prior life. He was a student of the famous Jewish rabbi, Gamaliel, and was regarded as a talented, promising, future leader among Pharisees. His memory of that period was shrouded with a deep, unsettling unhappiness. Even as he persecuted Christians with fierce abandon, he felt a dark distress in his heart.
More importantly, his new knowledge of Jesus -- that encounter or revelation the Church has traditionally called his conversion -- so overwhelmed everything he thought he knew about God that he called his past accomplishments so much rubbish. Observance of the Law was rubbish.
Or, that approach to law which Christians know as Pharisaic. Anyone who would say, "I have observed the law; I have kept out of trouble; I have always done the right thing!" has missed the point altogether. They are looking at a candle when they might be standing in sunlight.
The righteousness of God is not revealed by our good works despite the fact that we should set a good example to family, friend, neighbors and colleagues. They might admire us but there admiration means nothing in God's eyes. It is not redemption. Nor is it proven by a personal sense of satisfaction, a "job well done!"
In his later years, Paul would say, "I have run the race, I have kept the faith!" but that proved nothing. If he did not judge himself, neither did he suppose that his "self-assessment" proved his worth. (I often meet people who seem to think they're okay with God because they feel okay with God. That argument is no more persuasive than the Pharisee's reliance on law.)
Saint Paul was dazzled by his encounter on the road to Damascus. It changed everything. He was so enchanted with the Lord he had met -- a Lord he continued to meet in his daily prayer, deep reflection on the Jewish traditions, his preaching and worship among Christians -- that he could not be bothered with superficial ideas about merit.
He might have said, "When you have seen the beauty of his face -- and its authority which expects, demands, and deserves willing, eager and ready obedience -- you will lose all interest in proving your own worth. You will know your worth in his eyes! And that he is worthy of your passionate love. You will be so grateful for his glance and the word he has spoken to you, you will need no further incentive!"
This was the righteousness of God which has been manifested apart from the law,
Seeing that, even the righteous will admit they need and want forgiveness, salvation, and a freedom they have never known.
No comments:
Post a Comment
I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.