Which Comes First?

Romans 2:1-4 (click link to read passage before continuing on to Reflection)

Reflection:

Some timeless questions:

Which came first? The chicken or the egg?

Which comes first? Repentance or forgiveness?

Said another way:

Does repentance lead to forgiveness? Or is it the other way around?

I know for some, what I say here is going to be a little provocative – that's good. But consider the above verses. They were written to those who thought that the forgiveness offered through Jesus was like a free ticket. They knew they were forgiven, and used their freedom to cast judgments on others for their sins. Paul is reminding them that God's forgiveness, which is freely offered through Christ, is meant to inspire repentance not arrogance.

Here's the pitfall: When you think it is your repentance that causes God's forgiveness, it's an easy road to arrogant judgment of others. But when you recognize that God's forgiveness always comes as undeserved gift, it's a little harder to fancy yourself more deserving than anyone else.

So maybe, just maybe, we've answered one of the timeless questions above. Maybe we are doing it in the wrong order on Sunday morning – maybe God's forgiveness always comes first, and then leads us into a life of humility and repentance.

You'll have to ask someone else about the chicken/egg question…

Prayer: Gracious God, help us to avoid casting judgments on others – instead, help us to use our energy in humble self-assessment. Change our hearts, O God… Amen.

Declaration of Dependence

Exodus 16:11-16, 19-20

Reflection:

Take only what you need, and don’t hoard it for tomorrow.

Oh, how the promise of self-sufficiency lured the Israelites in. “If I gather a bunch now, then tomorrow I and my family will be well-fed, whether the bread comes again or not…”

For them and for us, this scripture is a lesson in dependence…and not the kind that renders us helpless, only to wait on the gifts of God – but the kind that breeds simple trust in God’s goodness and mercy.

In the grasps of our own materialism and consumer culture, it is a message we need to hear as well…So, as Steven Curtis Chapman (a contemporary Christian music artist) said years ago in a song, “This is our declaration of dependence!”

Prayer: Gracious God, help us to trust that come what may, you are faithful and your promises are sure. Amen.

Divine, Fierce Passion

Song of Solomon 8:5-7

Reflection:

Is the Bible one book, or a collection of many books?

The answer: Yes.

There is a rich story behind every book of the Bible and why it was ultimately included in the collection we now call “The Bible.” Some books were written as moment-by-moment historical accounts. Some were written as biographies (the Gospels). Some songs were included. Some teaching stories, like parables, were included. There was even some love poetry that got included.

The above reading is from the book “Song of Solomon,” which is Hebrew love poetry. It is a love song between two young lovers. At first glance, you might wonder why it is included in a Holy Book.

But…what is human love but an imperfect reflection of the love that spoke the world into existence? What is passion between young lovers but a faint echo of the passion that God felt for us most powerfully on the cross? If human love is powerful, and we know it is…divine love is more powerful still.

So, the people of God have claimed this love poetry as part of their scriptures because it is an example of the love God has for God’s people. And notice it’s not just a warm-fuzzy love, like we often like to think of it…it is as strong as death (and stronger!)…as fierce as the grave (and fiercer!). It is a raging flame.

May you be consumed by that flame today…so much so that you can’t help but go out and set the world ablaze with this fierce, strong love from above.

Prayer: Loving God, you are the source and ground of all that is, including the passion and love we feel. Help us to know that we can love because you first loved us…and transform our hearts so that we may more perfectly mirror your divine care. Amen.

Building a House

1 Peter 2:4-10

Reflection:

            As I type this, I can hear the sounds of hammers and the occasional “pop” of a nail gun. Just outside my window, there is a group of dedicated volunteers building a new storage garage on the church grounds.

            If you would have come by the church a few days ago, you would have seen a pile of plywood, a stack of trusses, and various other building materials laying on a concrete slab. Today, the work of our volunteers has transformed that seemingly random stack of materials into a building that will soon be used for a specific purpose.

            Peter, in his first letter, uses this same image for the church. Visiting the temple to offer sacrifices and “pay” for sins is no longer an option for his readers. So, he says, let us be built into a spiritual house for God – like living stones. Then, built by God into that structure, we will be used for a specific purpose – to “proclaim the mighty acts” of God.

            I see this happen every Sunday. A seemingly random collection of people from every different background are gathered, empowered, and sent to serve. Once we were not A PEOPLE, but now we are God’s people.

            So, the next time you are in church, listen carefully. You may not hear the “pop” of a nail gun, but you may just notice the construction of a holy people…

Prayer: Gracious God, you gather us and empower us for a purpose – to be the place you dwell in the world. Help us to serve our purpose well, and function as a place where all people can come to be connected with your love and your will for their lives. Amen.