That is just the way it is ...

This morning's reading (Romans 1-4) was from a letter that has often been referred to as a summary of Christian beliefs. It is the letter of Romans in the New Testament. It speaks of subjects such as God the Father, Jesus, Spirit; chosenness; righteousness; sin; grace/mercy; justification; and sanctification.

The writer of Romans is at least wrestling with the "how-to's" of salvation -- what it means to be made right with God. On this subject, the human side of the writer wants to keep saying, 'It all depends on how well I do in the sight of God'. And the divine guidance in my own words to the human writer keeps on encouraging this thought -- 'You are not loved by God based on your works no matter how good they may be, but rather you are loved by God only because God wants to love you (even if it is in spite of yourself).'

Verses that stuck out to me were as follows. As a background to them, Abraham has always been seen as the father of Israel kind of like George Washington is seen as the father of the United States.

For if Abraham was justified by works,

he has something to boast about, but not before God.

For what does the Scripture say,

"Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.

Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due.

But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly,

such faith is reckoned as righteousness"

Romans 4:3-5

(bold & italics added)

The aim of the Judeo-Christian life is to be made righteous/holy/good/upright/godly/right by God. But it can only be a work by God on me and God's work on me enables me to work for God. Sounds so odd, but for all that is just the way it is.