Logical progression

After Romans 5:1-11

First came justification,

the basis for faith, and

then peace. Second

came faith, which

submerged us with

grace. Then (third)

came suffering,

accompanied by

endurance, character,

hope, hope without

shame because of love

poured out, submerging

us, a gift.

Photograph by Annette Schuman via Unsplash. Used with permission.

The mathematics of faith

After Romans 4:1-12

It’s about subtraction

and addition. Faith,

that is. The formula:

sin is subtracted, evil

is taken away, wiped clean.

Guilt is washed away.

Righteousness is added,

a transfer of assets 

to our bank account,

counted as payment

in full, sufficient by itself,

sufficient in itself.

The mathematics of faith

turns mathematics on its head.

It’s a gift, underserved,

unmerited, unearned but

freely offered and

freely given.

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The law

After Romans 3:1-20

We love the law.

The law is a sweet thing,

designed to keep us in line,

aimed at limiting our behavior

and action, focusing on reminding

us that we fail in the face of it. Perhaps

that’s the point. Even when we think we

keep it we don’t. We can’t, even when we

set ourselves as our own little laws, wearing

our self-made crowns, congratulating ourselves

on how good we are especially when compared to

the person standing next to us, to me. Yes, we love

the law,

our law.

Photograph by Anna Sullivan via Unsplash. Used with permission.

Not even one

After Romans 3:1-20

I obey the law, well,

mostly, except for

an occasional lapse

with speed limits or

responding to an errant

driver or when I’m

treated unfairly or

I have to wait in line 

or when those politicians

do something really dumb

instead of normal dumb or

when I don’t get my way 

because I should. 

No, I don’t kill, outside

the tongue; I don’t steal,

except when I take credit

I shouldn’t; I don’t covet,

except for the BMW;

I don’t worship other gods,

apart from everyone else,

like when they worship 

money, position, power, 

righteousness, achievement,

whatever. 

No, not even one,

not one,

not one righteous.

To be judged by the law

is to die by the law.

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The prosecutor speaks

After Romans 2:12-29

The prosecutor stands, casting

his voice at the accused,

those who know but don’t act,

those who believe but don’t do,

those who speak the right words,

make the right claims,

teach the right precepts,

espouse the right behavior,

boast in their belief but

do none of it,

break all of it.

The prosecutor casts his voice

and pronounces the crime

of uncircumcision,

the judgment of condemnation.

Photograph by Ben Rosett via Unsplash. Used with permission.

Attorney for the defense

After I John 2:1-11

He stands before the judge

and jury, speaking for the defendant,

a curious position as the judge

and the jury know the guilt

of the accused, he admitted it,

confessed it, so that all that’s left

is the final judgment and

the sentence, expected to be life

at best or the death penalty.

But the defense attorney argues

for the accused, the guilty one,

asking for a declaration

of innocence, seeking a finding

of not guilty, shocking judge

and jury and courtroom alike,

until the attorney shows them

the holes in his own hands.

Photograph by Claire Anderson via Unsplash. Used with permission.