Theology for Everybody: Romansنموونە

Paul says there are only two options: boasting or worshipping. The difference between boasting and worshipping is about whom you’re bragging about. Worship is where we brag on God; boasting is where we brag on ourselves. If we contributed, participated, or did something, then we can boast, “Oh, God chose me because He knew I chose Him.” But if it’s, “I don’t know why He picked me, but it’s awesome,” then that’s worshipping. The goal is not to know the why but the Who.

In the Protestant Reformation, there was something called the sola. Sola is the Latin phrase for ‘alone.’ There are five solas articulated by the Reformers:

1. Scripture alone—not tradition or any other authority or book 2. Grace alone—not through any human works

3. Faith alone—not through anyone or anything else

4. Christ alone—not Jesus plus anything; it’s Jesus alone

5. To God Be the Glory alone—no boasting; God gets all the credit

God works for you at the cross of Jesus. He propitiated the wrath of God from you at the cross of Jesus. It is received by faith in and grace from Jesus Christ. God does the work for you at the cross of Jesus. God works in you through the presence, power, and person of the Holy Spirit. You’re not perfect, but you’re new. God begins this process, bringing you into His eternal perfection and working through you along the way. You’ll love somebody, and God’s loving them through you. You’ll forgive somebody, and God’s forgiveness flows through you. You’re going to impart wisdom to someone, give financial generosity to someone, or extend grace to someone, and that’s all God’s works in and through you.

The Christian life is the best life. It’s the most exciting life. It’s not a list of things we must do so God will love us. It’s a list of things we get to do because God already loves us. We’re not working for the relationship; we’re working from the relationship. When someone loves you, and you love them, then you want to become like them. That’s why we want to become like Jesus.

If you think it is what you do for God in part or whole, it changes how you live and die. After I got saved, I heard that a friend of mine I went to high school with also became a Christian. When I met him, he was really excited; he was filled with joy and talked all about Jesus. As a new Christian, I was so excited for my friend. I went back to college for a few months, and when I had another break, I called my friend to get together. This time, he started talking about everything we need to do for God. He asked, “Are you reading the Bible?” I replied, “Yeah, I read it every day. I love the Bible.” He said, “Well, you must read the Bible, or God will be angry.” I responded, “No, I get to read the Bible. We’re doing the same thing for different reasons. You’re working for God’s approval, but I’m working from God’s approval. You’re working for a relationship. I’m working from a relationship. It’s very different.”

Every time I got together with my friend, there was another “to do.” Read the “right” Bible translation, and be baptized the “right” way. Eventually, my friend killed himself. He was trying to do everything right, but he realized he wasn’t perfect, so he killed himself. My friend killed himself because he couldn’t be Jesus.

Our trust is in Jesus. Our hope is in Jesus. Our righteousness is in Jesus. Our heaven is in Jesus. It’s all Jesus; it’s only Jesus. If you have Jesus, then you have everything. If you don’t have Jesus, then you have nothing.

Today’s Reflection

Are you working for a relationship with God, or are you working from a relationship with Him?