Focus

Let yourself become open to God and the knowledge that comes from the Word. Ask God for a peace at this time.

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Read

Romans 3:21-31 (NRSV)

But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus.

Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one; and he will justify the circumcised on the ground of faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

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Reflect

Early in my ministry I remembered someone telling me the story of how the pastor took the visiting evangelist to the hospital to visit a member who would have to miss the revival services. After visiting for a while and offering prayer, the pastor asked, “Is there anything else we can do for you?” The patient said, “Would you pray for this man in the bed next to me?”

I always try to be kind and merciful to everyone I see. I may be the only person whom others encounter on a given day who will help them to know that we are all one in the Spirit and that we have all sinned and fallen short.

Sometimes the challenge is great. Recently I was gathering courage to visit a neighbor in a poor nursing home. Expecting to see her in a semi-private room, I needed to be ready to engage the second person. I found her in a three-person room and smiled, for the Lord was making me reach deep down to minister as we are called to do.

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Pray

O God, today we pray that we may know that we are one in spirit and recognize that everyone has sinned and fallen short of your glory. We thank you for the gift of your grace with redemption through Jesus Christ. Today, may we uphold your law of love and mercy with all whom we encounter. We pray this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Go with God.