June 16 | Romans 3:21-31

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DAILY READING

Romans 3:21-31

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REFLECTION

Salvation

By Kim Starr

It is thought that Paul’s letter to the Romans was written while he was in Corinth on his third missionary journey. Paul had never been to Rome to preach, but he desperately wanted to go there. Throughout his ministry, Paul faced opposition from those who misunderstood or distorted his teachings about the law of Moses and faith in Jesus Christ. Paul believed that some of this opposition had reached the church members in Rome, so he was writing to lessen any of their concerns before he arrived.

During this time, Jewish Christians, who had been expelled from the city by Emperor Claudius, began returning to Rome. There they found predominantly Gentile Christian congregations, which might explain some of the conflicts the church was having. Paul wanted the Gentile Christians to be integrated into the church, but he also had a strong desire for his people, the Jews, to accept the gospel. To promote unity, Paul taught how the doctrines of the church applied to all Christians. Paul’s letter to the Romans contains his most complete explanation of the doctrine of justification by faith in Jesus Christ rather than by the performance of the law of Moses. There are three parts to his explanation.

First, there is righteousness through faith. Every single human, no matter his background, has sinned and falls short of God’s glory. Those sins demand to be punished. However, God presented his son, Jesus Christ, as a sacrifice of atonement to die for our sins. It is through faith in the sacrificial death of Jesus, that we receive salvation.

Second, God is full of justice and mercy. By faith, humans are forgiven of their sins both before and after Jesus was on the earth. There is no distinction regarding the time when the sin occurred; it is simply sin. It is forgiven because Jesus’ sacrificial death atones for our sins and makes us right with God.

Third, salvation is not something we can earn. It is a gift freely given to us by God so long as we have faith in, and believe in, him. Bragging about what we have done, lauding our accomplishments over others, or performing religious acts is not appropriate, nor is it necessary. We cannot earn salvation by the things we do or say. God gives us salvation because of our faith in him. There is only one faith; faith in God alone. That’s it. The faith we say we have in God is the same faith that every other believer has. There are no degrees of faith or types of faith. You either believe in God or you don’t. If you do believe, that faith upholds the laws’ true purpose of salvation.

PRAYER

Oh, God, what a gift you have given! Thank you for sending your son, Jesus Christ, to atone for our sins. Thank you for letting our faith in you restore our relationship with you. Thank you for demonstrating to us that all believers that have faith in you are exactly the same. Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kim Starr

I have been a member of UALC since I was 2-years-old. Over my life I have participated in, and volunteered for, numerous ministries, programs, and activities, all of which have grown and strengthened my faith. I have been blessed beyond measure by not only being a part of this congregation, but also by being able to worship with three generations of my family.