I’m betting that most of you are looking forward to the time when we can all meet together again – in person.
And you’ve probably heard that places of worship can open for up to 50 people at a time. So does this mean that Lane Cove can recommence our Sunday worship services, or even open our building up to meetings and community hirers? Well, like all things in this world, at this time, it’s not that simple. There are many issues to consider (and I won’t bore you with them now), but be comforted by the knowledge that your Church Council is working hard on this and when a safe and meaningful worship experience at the church is possible, we’ll advise you and we’ll be there to welcome you back. Until then: This week, I’m focussing on our Epistle reading (Romans 5:1-8) and the Psalm (Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19). I have to admit that my belief is, despite a world in turmoil, there are little islands of peace everywhere. Of course, I’m referring to the people who have found peace with God. A person justified by faith in Christ Jesus can rejoice because of what comes from believing in him. Our relationship with God lets us rejoice in our spiritual understanding and in the knowledge that God is our Lord. Because of these, we are justified through our faith. The concepts "justified" and “faith" are probably best explained and illustrated by the life of Abram (later Abraham). From the beginning of his story in the bible, he was declared to be God's friend and he entered into a close relationship with God because he believed that God would keep his promise. Do you remember the story where God promised Abram and Sarai (later Sarah) that they would have children, even though they were old, and Sarai was said to be barren? In fact, God promised them that they would start a great nation.This special relationship with God was given as a gift to Abram. There was no merit involved on his behalf. It was by faith alone - believing that God would do as he had promised.And, so, we too can have a new spiritual position before God, because we have been justified by faith. Paul restates the great truth when he says in Ch 5, v 1: "Therefore, having been justified by faith . . ." Earlier in the book of Romans (Ch 3, v 23) the Bible makes it very clear that we are all sinners, when it says: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”. Most of us know that we’re still sinners and there’s no denying that fact, unless we’re completely naive and self-deceived. We know from personal experience that we’ve failed God on many occasions. Sometimes it is deliberate and sometimes accidental. However, because we’ve been justified through our faith in him, we can be forgiven. We celebrate the fact that we’ve been justified, or freed, because of Christ's death. And that’s where we come to that other word: "peace", which, to me, refers to a relationship characterised by God's peace toward the sinner. A divine kind of peace, that even King David felt, which allowed him to walk through the valley of the shadow of death without fearing the evil that was present there (Psalm 23). Last week was Trinity Sunday and we heard about how the Trinity spoke of that kind of peace which is found in the persons of Creator (God), Redeemer (Jesus) and Sanctifier (Holy Spirit). God the Father sees our faith in his son (Jesus) and forgives us for our sins against him. The blood of Jesus cleanses us of every sin and therefore we now have a new relationship with a holy God. We are justified by faith in what Christ did for us on the cross. The Father is satisfied with his son, he’s also satisfied with those who believe in his death and resurrection. God sees our faith and declares us right with him! Pardoned! Forgiven! Acquitted! This is a once-and-for-all act by God, whereby he declares us righteous in his sight. Keep in mind Paul's declarations on justification in Romans 3:28 "For we maintain that a man is justified by faith, apart from works of the Law" Paul also mentions in Galatians 2:16 that we have salvation by grace through faith, as opposed to a salvation by works. He writes, "a man is not justified by the works of the Law, but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified." So how do we become a child of God and receive this justification? In Galatians 3:26 Paul says: "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus". It’s not through our good works, our baptism, church membership, or taking communion. Our eternal life depends on our relationship to Christ. Ask yourself, “Am I a new creation? Have I put my faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone for a right relationship with God?” What are you depending upon for being right with God? I believe that only Christ will do. Our belief in, and relationship with, the risen Christ will be our salvation. Through him, we are indeed justified and it’s our faith in him that gives it to us. The bible verse that I have taken as my own personal philosophy of life, comes out of today’s Psalm reading, when, in v. 12 we ask the question: “What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me?”The obvious answer is “praise”. He gives us so much and yet asks for so little in return. So, please, go out into your week, month, year, shouting loud praises to God. Remember – it’s nothing you’ve done, but everything he’s done for us, that allows us to be free. Prayer of Intercession: God of all creation, what do you see when you regard the world? What does the harvest look like to you? And what would you ask of your people? We ask you to send your servants, Lord, to where people live in ignorance and fear, where people suffer because of drought, famine or disease, where there is violence and hostility, so peace appears to be a forlorn hope, where there is sickness, depression or despair. We acknowledge that the mission is huge and seems beyond us, yet, we believe that in the power of the Spirit, in the power of your grace and love, and in the power of the Gospel of Christ, anything is possible. Therefore, we beseech you to call us, equip us and send us, Lord, for we are ready to share in the miracles of your ministry wherever we are led. In your holy name we pray. Amen. Stay safe in his holy hands..............Pastor Rick
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