Today’s author is Prince of Peace member, Scott Tunseth.
Today, we will look at the second half of Romans 5:1-11. Paul makes this bold claim: “While we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. . .. God proves his love for us in that while we were sinners Christ died for us” (5:6, 8).
I like how Walter Taylor Jr. puts it in his notes in Lutheran Study Bible: “Part of the wonder of God’s love is that Christ does not wait for humanity to become perfect before dying for us” (p. 1858). Good thing! It would have been a long, long wait! God’s timing was just right, is just right. Christ wouldn’t need to die to save righteous people, even though as Paul points out, “for a good person someone might actually dare to die” (5:7). No, Christ died to save those who could not save themselves by following the law well enough, or by doing the most good deeds, or even by giving more money to church than any of their neighbors. Christ died for all, and faith assures us that this is God’s work and not ours.
Martin Luther, in his explanation to the Third Article of the Creed, puts it so clearly: “I believe by my own understanding or strength I cannot believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him, but instead the Holy Spirit has called me through the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, made me holy and kept me in the one true faith . . .”.
When I want to remember the essence of faith, I often come back to Luther’s confessional statement. It’s so counter-cultural. We are used to seeing power praised, self-sufficiency honored, and strength worshipped. But God turns all of this on its head. As Paul says in another of his letters: “God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is week in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to abolish things that are, so that no one may boast in the presence of God. In contrast, God is why you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord’” (1 Corinthians 1:27-31).
The through-line of Paul’s argument is remarkably consistent. Back to Romans 5, where Paul says, “we . . . boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation” (5:11). We boast, first and foremost, about what God has done for us. And then, with thanks for this gift of life, we go . . . to live and love and serve.
Behold, Lord, an empty vessel that needs to be filled. My Lord, fill it. I am weak in the faith; strengthen me. I am cold in love; warm me and make me fervent, that my love may go out to my neighbor. (From “A Prayer of Martin Luther,” ELW, p. 87)