Today's Reading: Romans 9:30-10:4

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 25:23-44; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. (Romans 10:3)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. I used to wait tables when I was in college. Every once in a while something strange would happen: I would bring the bill to the table and one guy would insist that he pay it, and then, just as insistently, the other guy says, "No way! I got this." Most of the time the issue resolved quickly, but sometimes it escalated into an argument, each one refusing to let the other pay for him.

Who wouldn’t want a free meal? Why try so hard to refuse another’s generosity? The apostle Paul knew something about why. He knew that some people are determined to earn things themselves and can’t accept a gift.

In Romans 9, Paul is writing about salvation and why so many of his fellow Jews would not believe in Christ as God’s perfect righteousness for us. Think of it! Christ gives Himself for us. He pays the debt of sin with His life. There is now no reason for anyone to be condemned. Trust Him! Look to Him for salvation and you will have it! All your sins are covered and He wants you to receive what He purchased for you with His own blood. Christians respond with faith that says, "Amen! Yes Lord! You covered me with Your robe of righteousness. Unworthy though I am, You have had mercy and greatly blessed me. For all You have done for me in Jesus, thank You, thank You, thank You!" This is the way faith responds to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

However, for some It is too much to admit they are sinners. Like two guys in a restaurant fighting over the bill, some just don’t want to feel like they owe anyone anything. That’s why so many Jews, after generations of legalism and ingrained works-righteousness, rejected the idea that they weren’t good enough, that they needed righteousness to be given to them by another. Like so many, theirs is the way of pride, not humility, and that’s why they refuse the meal. They don’t want to receive a gift. Even if He is the Son of God.

By God’s grace through the Holy Spirit, you have responded to the kind invitation in faith. God has brought you out of the ignorance and pride of unbelief and enlightened you with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

The humble heart and lowly God raises up on high; Beneath His feet in terror the haughty soul shall lie. The heart sincere and right, That heeds God’s invitation And makes true preparation It is the Lord’s delight. ("Arise, O Christian People" LSB 354, st.3)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch