Are we trying too hard? Do we put too much emphasis on God’s rules and forget to let our faith guide us? Certainly, this was Paul’s message to the Romans. For those who were Jews, this wasn’t meant to slap their hands, but to slap them upside the head. What I mean is they needed a wake-up call.
When we allow ourselves to be only focused on the letter of the law and not take into account having faith, we miss the point. Paul wanted to set the record straight here. The Jews had been so preoccupied with following the law, they failed to rely on their faith to make them right with God. The Gentiles didn’t know the law, so I suppose you could say they were able to avoid that trap. Ignorance is bliss you might say?
But what about us? We know what the law says. It’s part of the Bible, and we trust the Bible. Don’t we? Yes, but we trust God more. The Bible is God’s word to us, but just as there are laws to keep and rules to follow, the more important message rings out in the new covenant. Jesus came and things changed. Jesus made it clear to us how we get an audience with God. It’s not by anything we do or don’t do.
Paul’s heart was wide open when he said, “Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved.” Paul could recognize how his own people were shooting themselves in the foot. They were so caught up in following a law that they didn’t see the truth path to righteousness. They were clinging to their own way. The way they had always known.
That whole notion strikes a chord in me. Have you ever said something like, “It’s how we’ve always done it”? In ministry over the years, that phrase was heard time and time again. There was no chance to move forward with attitudes like that. Or another one, “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it.” Well, sometimes when we are so in the midst of a situation we can’t see how broken it truly is. The Israelites were deep into their tradition. They couldn’t see or accept this new way of thinking and doing things.
Take some time today to reflect on your own mindset. Are you closed to new ideas? Or, are you always eager to try new things? Sometimes we need to have discernment when it comes to new things. A good rule of thumb is to always make sure your new activity is in line with the Scriptures. Always ask, does it glorify God?
The bottom line is that “all who believe in him are made right with God.”
Let’s pray. Lord, I come to you today overflowing with joy at the simplicity of righteousness. I don’t have to be the perfect child and follow every rule just so. I just need to have unwavering faith and trust in you. I can do that. You are an amazing God. Thank you for loving me and giving me life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
