Romans 4:5 (NRSV) 5 But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness.
In the Church of Christ tradition, there has been this lingering belief that we are set right before God by certain things that we do. If you were to hear the words ‘plan of salvation’ often the speaker would mean a list of things that you do. You hear. You believe. You repent. You submit to baptism. It sounds like you are saving yourself.
When we say that salvation is by faith it generates quite a conversation. Some would point to 1 Peter 3:21 (NRSV) which says, “And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you--not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
I have a hard time thinking that baptism is much of a work. It is an easy work, if it is one. Some have turned it into the main issue and I think that is a mistake. When that happens, we end up with an empty ritual. Apart from faith, baptism has no power. The bottom line for salvation (wholeness, the peace of God, living in the world that God has in mind) is the work of Jesus.
Romans 3:21-22 (NRSV) 21 But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction.
I know that it is a bold thing to suggest that the translation is wrong, and I do not do that on my own biblical expertise. My teachers have suggested to me that in verse 22 the correct translation should be (an objective genitive), “the righteousness of God through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who believe.” A righteousness, a right standing before God, has been disclosed, that does not come from your good behavior, from your ability to do the right things all of the time. How could that be? Through the faithfulness of Jesus, through his work on the cross (there is a work for you!), for all who believe. That is the plan of salvation.
Whom do you trust? Do you trust in your own goodness? Do you trust in self-righteousness? For me, I don’t think I have enough of that. Lord, have mercy!
Not my will, Father, but yours be done!
In the Church of Christ tradition, there has been this lingering belief that we are set right before God by certain things that we do. If you were to hear the words ‘plan of salvation’ often the speaker would mean a list of things that you do. You hear. You believe. You repent. You submit to baptism. It sounds like you are saving yourself.
When we say that salvation is by faith it generates quite a conversation. Some would point to 1 Peter 3:21 (NRSV) which says, “And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you--not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
I have a hard time thinking that baptism is much of a work. It is an easy work, if it is one. Some have turned it into the main issue and I think that is a mistake. When that happens, we end up with an empty ritual. Apart from faith, baptism has no power. The bottom line for salvation (wholeness, the peace of God, living in the world that God has in mind) is the work of Jesus.
Romans 3:21-22 (NRSV) 21 But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction.
I know that it is a bold thing to suggest that the translation is wrong, and I do not do that on my own biblical expertise. My teachers have suggested to me that in verse 22 the correct translation should be (an objective genitive), “the righteousness of God through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who believe.” A righteousness, a right standing before God, has been disclosed, that does not come from your good behavior, from your ability to do the right things all of the time. How could that be? Through the faithfulness of Jesus, through his work on the cross (there is a work for you!), for all who believe. That is the plan of salvation.
Whom do you trust? Do you trust in your own goodness? Do you trust in self-righteousness? For me, I don’t think I have enough of that. Lord, have mercy!
Not my will, Father, but yours be done!
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