Wednesday, February 29, 2012

A Thought


“As many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law.”  Romans 2:12

We’ve heard the saying, “It’s not what you know; it’s who you know”.  Well, it seems St. Paul is turning it around on the Romans: “It’s not who you know; it is what you know by which you will be judged”.  This may be an oversimplified statement, but it makes the point of righteousness (justice) that the Lord requires even from those who know nothing of Him.  It is more often referred to as “natural law” which defines certain inherent attributes of humanity.  It is always right to treat others well, it is always right to feed someone who is hungry, and it is always right to hold others accountable for their actions; just as we might reasonably expect all these things as well!

Knowledge of the Lord and being “doers of the word” (James 1:22; Romans 2:13) is not centrally focused on whether or not we are “saved” (that word has been so overused to the point of being as vague as the word “love”!) but whether or not we are willing to live each day in accordance with the Lord’s requirements.  It is as much about taking care of others as it is about being cared for.  Imagine such a world!

Know this, however.  Divine mercy has its place in this, also, because how we live and work and worship together helps to define the relationship we have with our Lord.  That is, if we forgive those who have hurt us, we will be forgiven by the One whom we have harmed … over and over again.

Blessings,
Michael

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