Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
1What then are we to say was gained by Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh? 2For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” 4Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due. 5But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness. 13For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation. 16For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, 17as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”) —in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.
Universality is a clear theme for our time in these lines from Paul. This was a radical challenge in the first century and remains a challenge today.
Tribes are defined by many things, including ancestry, place, religion, and culture. Paul’s understanding of The Way was that a tribe is not what brings the kingdom of God closer or gives us a more fully human life.
For example, Abraham was NOT right with God because of ancestry, creed, or following a set of laws. It was only his faith in God and the desire to follow Him that was necessary, and Paul stated that this unearned gift was available to everyone.
Many Jews were enraged by this universal view of God and, to varying degrees, each of us tends to believe that God favors our tribe, if we are “good enough”. In contrast, the Way of Jesus and writings of Paul show that God is a gift for all, to be accepted with faith.
Tribe and good works don’t earn our relationship with God. Good work is our response to the relationship because we want to be part of bringing the Kingdom of God nearer to Earth.
Prayer: Dear God, Help me remember that I, and my tribe, are not more important to you than any other. We are all equal members of the team trying to bring your Kingdom closer to the Earth. Amen.
—Terry Rosborough