Hello! Today we continue on in our reading through Romans where Paul spends more time trying to argue the point that we are made Christians by our faith in Christ not by any ritual, symbol, or law. The ramifications of this are serious as its the foundation for what we call grace; unmerited love given to us by God. Tomorrow we will spend some time in what Paul says we are to do in response to the grace. For now, let's build the foundation. Also a forewarning today's reading features the word circumsicion probably more times than than the entire OT combined haha. Which leads me to wonder....what do women think in response to this reading? How does it apply to them? Or are the men just that dense that they need Paul to say it 15 times? (Probably this! haha!)
Scripture to Read
Audio Bible
Questions to Consider
What point is Paul trying to make? How does it apply to you?
What symbols distinguish us as Christians to our peers today?
What does grace mean to you? Is it harder to accept or give grace?
Grace is a super important part of the Wesleyan tradition so I really, really encourage you to watch Bible Project's video on grace so that you can grow deeper in your Methodist beliefs.
For a more specific video for Methodism I invite you to watch these 3 short videos on grace as well.
Praying the Hymns
Our prayer for today is inspired by hymn 294 in our United Methodist Hymnal - Alas! and Did my Savior Bleed. I'm not a huge fan of the hymns that sort of fetishize Jesus' blood, but to each their own. I invite you to join with me in prayer either aloud or by meditation as we give pause to what God is saying to us in this hymn.
1. Alas! and did my Savior bleed,
and did my Sovereign die?
Would he devote that sacred head
for sinners such as I?
2. Was it for crimes that I have done,
he groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! Grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!
3. Well might the sun in darkness hide,
and shut its glories in,
when God, the mighty maker, died
for his own creature's sin.
4. Thus might I hide my blushing face
while his dear cross appears;
dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
and melt mine eyes to tears.
5. But drops of tears can ne'er repay the debt of love I owe. Here, Lord, I give myself away; 'tis all that I can do.