Justice: Something More than Fair
Pastor Joanie Reread Paul’s personal dilemma in his letter to the Romans. Does any of his inner conflict feel familiar to you?
I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me.
So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, with my mind I am a slave to the law of God, but with my flesh I am a slave to the law of sin.
Then read Paul’s solution in Romans 12.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Reflect: Spend time this week praying and meditating over Paul’s words in Romans 7:15-25. Consider those areas in your life where you find yourself doing what you know you should not do and/or not doing what you know you should do. End your prayer with Paul’s words in Romans 12:1-3.
Practice: Make a short list of ways you believe you should treat people. Consider where your love for God meets your love of neighbor. At the end of each day this week, think about each person you encountered – in person, via television, radio, podcast, news article, book, or even someone who came up in your thoughts or conversations. Examine your actions and thoughts about that person using the list you created.
Listen to Sunday’s sermon: Justice: Something More than Fair
This Week:
Wednesday, September 4th, 1:30 pm – Prayer & Inspiration
Wednesday, September 4th, 2:30 pm – Ladles of Love, Meal preparation & delivery
Wednesday, September 4th, 6:30 pm – Choir Practice
Sunday, September 8th , 9:45 am – Sunday School Series on Apocalyptic Literature
Sunday, September 8th, 11:00 am – Worship
Sunday, September 8th, 6:00 pm – Board Meeting
**Save the date cards are being sent out for Homecoming/130th Anniversary Celebration on October 20th. We have more postcards available in the church office. We would love your help making sure we get the word out. Please send postcards to former church members, family members, friends, and others who we want to welcome back for this special time of worship together.