9/25/17
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.
Psalm 25:1-10 speaks of our dependence on the Lord and the Lord’s compassion for his people. There’s an underlying question we should ask. Why does the Lord show his care for us? Is it because of our obedience? Our goodness? Is it entirely from the Lord’s compassionate nature?
There are Christian groups who will affirm that God’s grace operates with no reference to the Christian’s obedience. If God’s grace depends on our good works in any way, it is not grace at all. This is true in matters of redemption. God saves his people regardless of their sin. He saves his people regardless of what he knows they will or will not do in the future. Salvation is not dependent on our obedience.
That is not what the Psalmist is talking about. Here the Psalmist is reflecting on the interaction between God’s gracious salvation and a life of godliness in line with God’s law. The text acknowledges that God makes demands on his people and that his people try to live in accord with those demands. it also confesses that we fail. We are, by our very nature, sinful. we need God’s redemption.
What’s the good news here? God delights to save his people from sin and shame. He has revealed his desires for them, for their good. The people of God respond by trying to live a life which is pleasing to God. He continues to forgive them.
There’s the right balance. God saves his people regardless of their sin. His people live in him, trying to please God simply because it’s good. God sustains his people even when they fail. It’s all part of God’s grace in this world.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.
Psalm 25:1-10 speaks of our dependence on the Lord and the Lord’s compassion for his people. There’s an underlying question we should ask. Why does the Lord show his care for us? Is it because of our obedience? Our goodness? Is it entirely from the Lord’s compassionate nature?
There are Christian groups who will affirm that God’s grace operates with no reference to the Christian’s obedience. If God’s grace depends on our good works in any way, it is not grace at all. This is true in matters of redemption. God saves his people regardless of their sin. He saves his people regardless of what he knows they will or will not do in the future. Salvation is not dependent on our obedience.
That is not what the Psalmist is talking about. Here the Psalmist is reflecting on the interaction between God’s gracious salvation and a life of godliness in line with God’s law. The text acknowledges that God makes demands on his people and that his people try to live in accord with those demands. it also confesses that we fail. We are, by our very nature, sinful. we need God’s redemption.
What’s the good news here? God delights to save his people from sin and shame. He has revealed his desires for them, for their good. The people of God respond by trying to live a life which is pleasing to God. He continues to forgive them.
There’s the right balance. God saves his people regardless of their sin. His people live in him, trying to please God simply because it’s good. God sustains his people even when they fail. It’s all part of God’s grace in this world.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
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