October 27th - Reflection

Romans 2:17-29 (NRSV)
Real circumcision a matter of the heart
But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast of your relation to God and know his will and determine what is best because you are instructed in the law, and if you are sure that you are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth, you, then, that teach others, will you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You that forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You that abhor idols, do you rob temples? You that boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? For, as it is written, "The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."

Circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law; but if you break the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. So, if those who are uncircumcised keep the requirements of the law, will not their uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? Then those who are physically uncircumcised but keep the law will condemn you that have the written code and circumcision but break the law. For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is true circumcision something external and physical. Rather, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and real circumcision is a matter of the heart it is spiritual and not literal. Such a person receives praise not from others but from God.

Reflection
Seems to apply to all of us, not only the Jews. If we claim to be Christians, why do we teach obedience yet act disobediently? Who hasn't sinned? Who is there that is left to teach then?

But it's not the obedience to the law that precedes the trust and hope in Jesus life, teaching, ministry, calling, suffering, death and resurrection. We know we sin and fall short. We know that it's only through Jesus that we have life. Jesus took our sin upon himself. Jesus died in our sin.

So, through Jesus, is our sin. Jesus must come first in our teaching. As we respond to Jesus, we look to the law to obey the law. We will still fall short of this law. So we turn daily to Jesus, to drown the ol man and arise anew to new life in Jesus. We relive our baptism each and every day in full dependence of what Jesus has done for us.

And God sends the Spirit upon us to lead and guide and fill us with the gifts we need to complete each day as a Christian.

It makes a difference. We don't go out to sin. We go out each day with no fear of sin. We go out into the Kingdom of God to do God's will and way and love God and our neighbor. God takes the imperfect and says good enough my child, keep working with me. In sin or out of sin, God will use you, God will correct you, God will love through you and love you. Wonderful! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, I can't help but delight in the way you have called and chosen your servants past, present and future who are flawed people to teach us your love and your will in our lives. Use me this day to do your will as you would have it done. --- Amen