Throughout Christian history, followers of Christ have struggled with an internal debate: Am I good enough for God? How can God love “a wretch like me”? What must I do or think or say or believe to earn God’s love? What tasks must I do to redeem myself?
In this paraphrase of Romans 4:1-3, written by Eugene Peterson in The Message, Paul speaks to that struggle, using Abraham as an example: If Abraham, by what he did for God, got God to approve him, he could certainly take credit for it. But the story we’re given is a God-story, not an Abraham-story.
Let’s face it, none of us live a life of devotion to God like Abraham. Or Paul. Or Peter. Or any of the saints, martyrs, Reformers, or great theologians. We know this. And yet, we think that we must live a life like these to deserve God’s love and grace.
So, Paul offers another thought: It’s not what Abraham did, it’s what he believed. It’s not the works, it’s faith.
Paul goes on in Romans 4:4-5 this way: If you’re a hard worker and do a good job, you deserve your pay; we don’t call your wages a gift. But if you see that the job is too big for you, that it’s something only God can do, and you trust him to do it… well, that trusting-in-him-to-do-it is what gets you set right with God, by God. Sheer gift.
People who are set right with God are people who embrace what God does for them while they are still on the “outs” with God.
It’s belief, my friends. So, we trust, have faith, and believe.
You can and should do good things as a response to God’s grace and love. But that grace and love is yours even before you get baptized, go on the mission trip, share that bag of food, or forgive your sibling. Just believe. That makes you right with God. Because God believes in you too.
Let us pray… A prayer attributed to Martin Luther:
Lord, I am not worthy to be a guest at your holy table, yet I have heard the sweet words of your invitation, and you have promised me forgiveness of my sins through your body and blood which I eat and drink in this sacrament. O dear Lord, I know that your divine Word and promise are true. I do not doubt them, and resting on them, I eat and drink with you. Let it be to me according to your Word.
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