I'm going to bring an issue up in this part that's crucial to your family life and the way you live out the gospel in the home and in your community: sin. How are we to understand sin? We are insufficient to merit grace ourselves. How do we deal with this daily?
You might find yourself "floundering" in your sin as you enter the shock of a new culture. With transitions, expectations, language learning and environmental changes, it is definitely easy to wander into becoming judgmental, into complaining, and even into the pride of insecurity or the pride of arrogance (either, "I'm nothing and incapable", or "I'm better than them") - although all of these things are hard to admit, I know. At the core of all of these sins is a preoccupation with your own desires and your own identity. As some like to say, we tend to "navel gaze" when we are in sin, that is, focus on ourselves.
In Romans 1:18-32, Paul tells us all about the universal wrong that all of humanity is entrenched inAs F.F. Bruce notes that, "Paul's aim is to show that the whole of humanity is morally bankrupt, unable to claim a favorable verdict at the judgment bard of God, desperately in need of his mercy and pardon" (Bruce 77). All of these people talked about are left to the consequences of God's wrath. Instead of focusing on their Creator, they focused on created things and gloried in those instead of giving glory to God, who alone deserves it (Bruce 78).
Which sins might stand out to you in the list from verses 29-32? Possibly the three words concerned with aspects of pride? "Insolent refers to a lofty sense of superiority" or maybe arrogance (I have more to offer than to learn) or boasting (where I came from they did things right) (Morris 98)? Or maybe it's gossip and slander, which sound like harsh words, but they are easier to slip into than we realize. No matter what it is you might be struggling with, you're not separate from the rest of the humanity in a proclivity towards sin.
What do you do when you recognize your sin then? The Word has revealed to you that your works are insufficient, and your sin is abundant. What's your response to be now?
Ah, here is the incredible reality that is brought forth after a long discussion on God's righteousness, law and sin. But first, let's make one last thing clear...see verse 20:
"Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin." - Romans 3:20
Our only hope is this:
"But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." - Romans 3:21-22
Confess your sin today, tomorrow, and the next day. We are all alike - we are sinners. As you do ministry and engage in this new culture, you will fail. Probably lots of times. You will sin too. You have no self-righteousness apart from Christ. What is your response? Stop "naval gazing" (focusing on your own self and desires), and look to the righteousness of Christ - know that because your faith is the means through which God's gift of grace is given (apart from works, I repeat!), you participate in Christ's faithfulness, and you are righteous in him (Morris 176).
You don't have to live in the condemnation that is heaped upon you by your own thoughts or the accusations surrounding you in the world. Jesus Christ has placed his righteousness upon you and called you his own body. You may be insufficient to perform all the works you deem as "grace-earning", but this allows you to rely on Christ all the more. Daily, turn to him in repentance and faith, and teach your kids to do the same.
You might find yourself "floundering" in your sin as you enter the shock of a new culture. With transitions, expectations, language learning and environmental changes, it is definitely easy to wander into becoming judgmental, into complaining, and even into the pride of insecurity or the pride of arrogance (either, "I'm nothing and incapable", or "I'm better than them") - although all of these things are hard to admit, I know. At the core of all of these sins is a preoccupation with your own desires and your own identity. As some like to say, we tend to "navel gaze" when we are in sin, that is, focus on ourselves.
In Romans 1:18-32, Paul tells us all about the universal wrong that all of humanity is entrenched inAs F.F. Bruce notes that, "Paul's aim is to show that the whole of humanity is morally bankrupt, unable to claim a favorable verdict at the judgment bard of God, desperately in need of his mercy and pardon" (Bruce 77). All of these people talked about are left to the consequences of God's wrath. Instead of focusing on their Creator, they focused on created things and gloried in those instead of giving glory to God, who alone deserves it (Bruce 78).
Which sins might stand out to you in the list from verses 29-32? Possibly the three words concerned with aspects of pride? "Insolent refers to a lofty sense of superiority" or maybe arrogance (I have more to offer than to learn) or boasting (where I came from they did things right) (Morris 98)? Or maybe it's gossip and slander, which sound like harsh words, but they are easier to slip into than we realize. No matter what it is you might be struggling with, you're not separate from the rest of the humanity in a proclivity towards sin.
What do you do when you recognize your sin then? The Word has revealed to you that your works are insufficient, and your sin is abundant. What's your response to be now?
Ah, here is the incredible reality that is brought forth after a long discussion on God's righteousness, law and sin. But first, let's make one last thing clear...see verse 20:
Our only hope is this:
"But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." - Romans 3:21-22
Confess your sin today, tomorrow, and the next day. We are all alike - we are sinners. As you do ministry and engage in this new culture, you will fail. Probably lots of times. You will sin too. You have no self-righteousness apart from Christ. What is your response? Stop "naval gazing" (focusing on your own self and desires), and look to the righteousness of Christ - know that because your faith is the means through which God's gift of grace is given (apart from works, I repeat!), you participate in Christ's faithfulness, and you are righteous in him (Morris 176).
You don't have to live in the condemnation that is heaped upon you by your own thoughts or the accusations surrounding you in the world. Jesus Christ has placed his righteousness upon you and called you his own body. You may be insufficient to perform all the works you deem as "grace-earning", but this allows you to rely on Christ all the more. Daily, turn to him in repentance and faith, and teach your kids to do the same.
Works Cited:
Bruce, F. F. Romans - The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Leicester, England: Inter-Varsity Press, 1985. Print.
Morris, Leon. The Epistle to the Romans. Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans, 1988. Print.
Morris, Leon. The Epistle to the Romans. Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans, 1988. Print.
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