May 8th, 2008
A Free “A”
“It is God who justifies.”
Romans 8:33b
Every week (this week was no exception) I beg Tim to write the paper which I need to write for school. Every week (this week was no exception) he says, “No.” Now, before I get into trouble, let me just assure you that I am kidding when I “ask” him to do my work. I do my own school work!
Wouldn’t it be nice, though, if sometime he did? Today as I was reading Romans 8, I could understand the idea of justification by faith a little better when I thought of it in terms of my school work. Obviously, this is a very “loose” explanation of the doctrine of justification by faith, but perhaps it will help you understand it too.
Let’s pretend that one week Tim did write the paper for me. He put his name on it, and I handed it in to the professor. After reading it, the professor gave it an A and then picked up the phone and called Tim and me.
Professor: “I noticed Tami’s name wasn’t on this paper. Who wrote it?”
Tim: “I did.”
Professor: “But you’re not in the class.”
Tim: “I know, but Tami was struggling so much on the assignment that I decided I would just do it for her.”
Professor: “OK, well, you just got her an A.”
I did nothing but allow Tim to write the paper. Tim did all the work. The professor accepted it and gave me a great grade (I told you we are pretending!). That’s justification by faith.
I do nothing but have faith in Jesus. Jesus did all the work. I end up with the reward. You know the funny part? I often take the credit.
We often talk of the gifts God has given us of teaching, hospitality etc. as if they were ours. They are not. They were a GIFT! That means we have no right to boast about how great we are. We walk around so proud of all the ministries we are involved in, how we sacrifice for the church or for others, how we are a “light” in our communities. What in the world are we boasting about???? We did nothing that we can boast of. Jesus did it all. We just get the rewards. Of course, personally I am so grateful for the reward and for his effort on my part that I do WANT to serve him with my life. I want him to use me so others too know of this great “A” the professor will give if Jesus does the paper.