Monday 03 June 2019
- Bible Book:
- Romans
For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. (v. 10)
Psalm: Psalm 100
Background
Today we find ourselves in the heart of Paul’s great theological exposition of Christian faith in his letter to the Roman Christian community. He has, by this point in the letter, argued that justification is by faith in Christ, and now begins the setting out of the consequences, the great therefore: we are at peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ because we have been justified by faith in him.
Verses 6-11 set out the heart of the Gospel, the death and new risen life of Christ being the crucial facts, proving God’s love for us and through which we are reconciled to God.
Perhaps most significant for this week leading up to Pentecost, Paul argues that the Holy Spirit is essential to the saving work of God in Christ (v. 5). This is fully explored in the wonderful chapter 8 on Life in the Spirit.
Singing the Faith 376 reminds us of the Spirit’s role in some of the biggest events in salvation history: creation, exodus, baptism). It could perhaps be headed 'The Holy Spirit’s Greatest Hits'.
Psalm 100, Jubilate Deo, is a pealing hymn of praise and thanksgiving, a summons to worship and a summary of why we worship. It is part of the liturgy of Matins in the Book of Common Prayer and the 1936 Methodist Book of Offices.
To Ponder:
- For Saint Paul, Christ’s death and resurrection are the keys to salvation. How do you feel about the fact that Saint Paul scarcely mentions anything else about Jesus’s life in his epistles?
- Look carefully at verses 5, the only mention of the Holy Spirit in the passage. What is being said? Compare Joel 2:28 and Romans 8:23.