For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all.” vs. 32
Romans 11:29-32
Paul knew that the Jews and Gentiles had nothing in common on the basis of their heritage or religious background. But what they did have in common was disobedience. All people are created good and are in the image of God, and all people are broken. To put it bluntly, all people are sinners! That’s what we have in common with every person on earth, no matter what our ethnic, national, or religious background. We know this, not because of what we’ve been taught, but because of what we’ve experienced. After all this is how we connect and identify with others, it’s not on the basis of our goodness but because of our common brokenness. Even if sometimes we act as though we are more good than others, in our hearts we know we aren’t. And that’s good news! It’s because of our disobedience, our sinfulness, our brokenness, however we want to label it, that we can be confident of the overwhelming and universal mercy of God. Another way of putting it is this: there is absolutely nothing in our pasts, no sin or brokenness, that can define our future. In Christ, as a forgiven sinner, every day provides a fresh start for me to show off my intrinsic goodness! And that’s true for every one of us, Jews and Gentiles alike!
Thought for the Day: How is today’s fresh start going for me?
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