Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
LENT: A TIME OF REDEMPTION
Romans 2:1-10
  Rev. Abraham Scaria

 Chicago MTC , IL

6 For he will repay according to each one’s deeds: 7 to those who by patiently doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8 while for those who are self-seeking and who obey not the truth but wickedness, there will be wrath and fury.
 

Lent is a time set apart for fasting and prayer, aiming at the transformation of the individual and the community in general. The major themes of these 40 days of fasting are sin and spiritual depravity of human beings; God’s initiatives for human redemption which culminated in the death of Jesus, God’s only begotten son on the cross; and the final redemption of human beings made possible through the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
 The passage for our meditation begins with a warning, “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself…” The use of the adverb ‘therefore’ makes it clear that Paul is here continuing what he was saying in the previous chapter. In chapter one, he explained how the fury of God’s wrath is going to come on the wicked people who are rebelling against God.
 
In this chapter a similar warning is given to those people who consider themselves as upright and make judgement on the wicked people. These are the people who justify themselves and think that they are righteous because they do good unlike the wicked ones. But Paul holds the view that, every one irrespective of their religious identity and moral standing are estranged from God (Rom. 3: 23) and can only be put right with God by His grace (3: 24).

Spiritual pride is a dangerous disease that can affect anyone in spiritual pursuit. As we fast, pray, and do charity during Lent, we may feel greater or holier than our fellow believers or non-believers. We may consider our spiritual expressions as pleasing to God or we may even think that we are spiritually in a much elevated place while others are still moving like worms on earth. The fact is that we cannot make ourselves holy because holiness is God’s attribute. When we are aware of our sins and repent, God will justify us by His grace. He will loosen our bonds and set us free from all kinds of slavery and will give us eternal life.

PRAYER

Lord, may our fasting and prayers teach us more about Your grace and instil in us a serious yearning for eternal life. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

Hypocrisy obviates eternity

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind wh...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tel...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things...
Read more