Romans 4:2 For if Avraham came to be considered righteous by God because of legalistic observances, then he has something to boast about. But this is not how it is before God! 3 For what does the Tanakh say? “Avraham put his trust in God, and it was credited to his account as righteousness.”[Romans 4:3 Genesis 15:6] 4 Now the account of someone who is working is credited not on the ground of grace but on the ground of what is owed him. 5 However, in the case of one who is not working but rather is trusting in him who makes ungodly people righteous, his trust is credited to him as righteousness.
6 In the same way, the blessing which David pronounces is on those whom God credits with righteousness apart from legalistic observances:
7 “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered over;
8 Blessed is the man whose sin Adonai
will not reckon against his account.”[Romans 4:8 Psalm 32:1–2]
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Reflection Questions:
In today’s reading, the apostle Paul took over an accounting metaphor that was first used in Genesis 15 to convey a key Christian truth: God “credits” our faith to us as righteousness! Psalm 32 used the flip side of that image: “Happy are those whose sin isn’t counted against them by the Lord.” God’s grace sees us as much more than we are. God sees us as we can become as committed members of his family.
• Paul quoted Psalm 32. The psalmist (likely King David himself) wrote of a time when he hid his sin, and things got worse and worse. “Then,” he wrote, “I acknowledged my sin to you… and you forgave the guilt of my sin” (Psalm 32:5). When have you found peace and
renewed life by acknowledging how much you need God’s forgiveness, and accepting it?
• School grades, workplace paychecks, promotions—Paul said we get those, not as gifts, but because we deserve them. But God counts us as having a clean slate, and eternal life, even though we don’t deserve them. When did you last thank God for heaven’s gracious way of accounting, and really mean it? Why not thank God right now?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that instead of a stern, unbending standard, your heavenly
accounting toward me follows the generous standard of forgiveness and grace. Amen.
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Insights from Darren Lippe
Darren Lippe helps facilitate Journey 101 “Loving God” classes, guides a 7th-grade Sunday school class, is a member of a small group & a men’s group, and serves on the Curriculum team.Today’s passage in Paul’s letter to the Romans uses a snippet of the 32ndPsalm to offer additional context to Paul’s discussion of the amazing beauty of God’s grace. Let’s take a closer look.
Aside: Like the old preacher said, “Sometimes I feel like the carnival fortune-teller – I’m always reading Psalms.
The 32nd Psalm is credited to King David as he wrestles with the aftermath of his less than stellar actions during the whole Bathsheba/Uriah soap opera. David writes this Psalm as guidance for those listeners who, like him, might have fallen a bit short of God’s expectations. David offers his confession in verses 3-5, he applies his circumstances to our own state of affairs in verses 6-7, and in verses 1-2 offers the beautiful benediction found in our passage.
Aside: I’ve long thought it would be so cool if, ala the Dead Sea Scrolls, some Bedouin were to find some clay jars with the accompanying music to the Psalms inside. How might the music help us better comprehend the tranquility of the 23rd Psalm or marvel at the majesty of the 98th Psalm? (Sadly, the music would probably be part of a transcript of some talent show called, “Israelite Idol.”)
David opens with the word “blessed.” When you read the word “blessed” a smile should begin to form on your face – this is a condition of overflowing joy that is beyond earthly explanation. When we hear we are blessed, there is almost a state of giddiness that overtakes our whole demeanor – like that old Pepsi commercial of a young boy getting his first horse*.
What has caused this state of blessedness? David offers the explanation in the continuing phrase, “whose transgressions are forgiven.” The Hebrew word for forgiveness can mean to “carry out of sight.” Perhaps we can picture God boxing up our sins/iniquities & Jesus volunteering to haul them away for us. This old junk, which has been cluttering our everyday lives for years to the point we can barely function, is now stowed away- never to be seen or referenced again. The Psalm suggests there is a sense of a heavy burden being lifted, or a delightfully surprising clean bill of health, or a jail-cell door left ajar. We are free!
So, what might we do with this understanding of the 32nd Psalm? Our Jewish friends celebrate Yom Kippur next week. This Day of Atonement is a day set aside to ask God for His forgiveness for transgressions that had occurred the previous year. (Interestingly, scholars suggest that the 32nd Psalm was frequently sung during this ancient worship service.)
What if we were to set aside today as our own Day of Atonement? We could thank God for the love He so generously demonstrated with the sacrifice of His Son on the cross. We could pause & ask Him to forgive us of our many mistakes. We could promise to try to change our ways to minimize our miscues. We could then accept, without reservation, His grace & forgiveness & boldly begin the day absolutely blessed.
Absent the original accompanying music, I offer this tuneful conclusion to help us imagine the uplifting spirit of our Psalm: I know God wants to Take a Chance on Me. That there Ain’t No Mountain High Enough that can hold back His love. That the Bare Necessities of life include the Godly Good Vibrations that comes with His forgiveness. So we can finally Celebrate, beFeelin’ Groovy, & realize What a Wonderful World God has made.
(*If the “tuneful conclusion” left you feeling less-than-blessed, below is the link to the commercial Darren referenced. Editor.)
"A parable came to life—on two crosses" for Saturday, 8 October 2016
Luke 23:32 Two other men, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. 33 When they came to the place called The Skull, they nailed him to a stake; and they nailed the criminals to stakes, one on the right and one on the left. 34 Yeshua said, “Father, forgive them; they don’t understand what they are doing.”
They divided up his clothes by throwing dice.[Luke 23:34 Psalm 22:19(18)] 35 The people stood watching, and the rulers sneered at him.[Luke 23:35 Psalm 22:8(7)] “He saved others,” they said, “so if he really is the Messiah, the one chosen by God, let him save himself!” 36 The soldiers too ridiculed him; they came up, offered him vinegar[Luke 23:36 Psalm 69:22(21)] 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 And there was a notice over him which read,
THIS IS
THE KING OF THE JEWS
39 One of the criminals hanging there hurled insults at him. “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other one spoke up and rebuked the first, saying, “Have you no fear of God? You’re getting the same punishment as he is. 41 Ours is only fair; we’re getting what we deserve for what we did. But this man did nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Yeshua, remember me when you come as King.” 43 Yeshua said to him, “Yes! I promise that you will be with me today in Gan-‘Eden.”
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Reflection Questions:
Luke’s whole gospel showed Jesus’ love for all who are outcast and looked down on. That did not stop even when the Romans crucified Jesus—the most painful and humiliating form of execution they could devise. Acceptance and generosity often seem to come more easily
when we are safe and comfortable ourselves. That’s what makes this story so remarkable.
Even from the cross, Jesus’ prayer for the soldiers crucifying him, and his pledge to the man who asked for a place in his kingdom showed clearly that he wanted to extend grace to absolutely everyone. He had not a word of reproof for the thief not having worked all day—he graciously welcomed him home.
• While soldiers rolled dice to see which of them would get Jesus’ clothes, and religious rulers sneered, Jesus asked God to forgive them. They were not seeking forgiveness, and we do not know how many of them Jesus’ generous prayer reached. But what an extraordinary request the crucified thief made! What made him think this man crucified next to him would ever even have a kingdom? Have you ever felt (or known someone who felt) that “I’ve done too much—waited too long—I can’t turn to God now?” What does the thief’s request and Jesus’ response say to that attitude? Have you ever felt “unforgivable”? Can you accept that Jesus is willing to forgive you, no matter what you’ve done that needs forgiveness?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, your cross was all about forgiveness—and your actions made it plain that forgiveness was (and is) much, much more than just some religious theory. Thank you that every day I, like the thief crucified next to you, can trust in your forgiving heart. Amen.
Family Activity: God’s love is for all people. Consider ways your family can include others and let them know they are welcome in God’s family. You might invite a family or some friends to your home for a celebration of God’s love. Design colorful placemats, prepare a simple and fun meal and sing songs of praise to God! Maybe you would like to visit someone who is lonely or make cards for them. Name some of the gifts God has given you and plan a way to use them to share
God’s love. Pray that God would help you celebrate, give thanks for and spread God’s love.
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Prayer Requests – cor.org/prayer
Prayers for Peace & Comfort for:
•Tracie Wright and family on the death of her father Elven Stoddard, 9/23
•Bob Herndon and family on the death of his father Eugene “Gene” Herndon, 9/20
•Bill Gapske and family on the death of his sister Barbara Glenn, 9/20
• Jennifer Guttu and family on the death of her brother Rick Glenn, 9/20
•Vicki Meeks and family on the death of her brother Ron Malone 9/20
• Lisa Passmore and family on the death of her father Richard Pennington, 9/19
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