Lent – Day 14

Scripture      Romans 4:13-17

Reflection

It’s a natural thing for people  to seek an advantage, and if found, take it.  We pursue a better job by networking with friends and acquaintences who could open a door for us.   We seek a better seat at the ballgame by checking with a season-ticket holder who might not need their seats this week.  We contact the flight attendant in the family to see if they might have a buddy pass to lower the price of the trip.  Is there anything wrong with seeking an advantage?  Most of the time the answer is “no”.

When it comes to being welcomed by  God, do some people have an advantage?  Is having a priest in the family a leg up?  Does the fact that the last 4 generations of your family all went to the same church put you in a better position?  Do some of us born in a particular place, or to a particular race, or of a certain gender have an advantage in gaining God’s approval over others?

When it comes to our tendency to seek, and claim, an advantage, Paul the Apostle says it won’t help us much in our relationship with God.

“Therefore the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring – not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham.” 

In other words being born Jewish in Paul’s ancient world was no advantage in gaining God’s favor.  And in our time neither is being protestant, white, American, male – or any other adjective we would use to describe ourselves.  What does matter is something all can possess – faith.  Faith is the empty-handed acceptance of what God will do for us.  Faith is the stance of people who quit counting their advantages in order that they might receive God’s gifts.  Faith finally has little to do us, and that’s why so many of us find it so difficult.

Prayer Focus

Lord give me the courage to stand before you no longer citing my advantages, but relying only on your love displayed for all people through Jesus Christ.