Scripture: Romans 15:14-15
My brothers and sisters, I myself am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and are able to teach each other. But I’ve written to you in a sort of daring way, partly to remind you of what you already know. I’m writing to you in this way because of the grace that was given to me by God.
Thought for the Day: I like how Paul speaks of writing in “a sort of daring way.” The word daring is the same word we find in Romans 5 when Paul writes:
It isn’t often that someone will die for a righteous person,
though maybe someone might dare to die for a good person.
It describes someone who pushes the limits of an idea or challenges the preconceived thinking on a topic. Paul is presenting this daring and risky Gospel because of “the grace that was given” to him. In today’s world, we have become immune to the power of grace. The language of grace is tossed around to the point that it no longer carries with it a daring and even risk-taking appearance, yet the story of God’s work in Jesus Christ is that of a God who pushed and challenged the boundaries of welcome, acceptance, love and forgiveness. As Paul suggests – “we already know this” – but it is ok to allow our spirits to be shaken now and then by the revolutionary and boundary-challenging message of Jesus.
Prayer: I claim to need your grace, O Lord, but how often have I stripped grace of its power. Too often I use it to make me feel good, yet you have given it to change my life. Allow it to shake up my priorities so influenced by a greedy and self-serving world. Amen.
Continuing This Sunday
Sermon Title: Uncomfortable In Heaven
