Justification by ________ (Fill in the Blank), 9-23-09

OK, Lutherans – here's your test, how do you fill in the blank?

If you answered “faith,” or “grace through faith,” or “grace through faith in Christ,” or something similar – Congratulations – you really were paying attention in confirmation class.

Maybe you even know some supporting verses like: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8; of “since all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:22-23.

Justification by grace through faith and not by works! So we have been taught and so we state with our words.

That's our confession. Why then do we insert other words in the blank?
Justification by “right answer” is a biggie. I've had two pastors tell me that it isn't worship if certain specific parts of the order are missing. Interestingly they claimed different parts as the critical piece. Each had a right answer for their own blank that excluded others.

Once again in the ELCA Churchwide Assembly the turbulent waters of sex and sexuality were roiled, and two opposing sides filled in the blank in ways that created division and hurt – in ways that risk ongoing separation.

Are we justified by our position, our current version of the right answer? I think St. Paul would answer, “By no means!”

For once, I wish we could be as passionate about sharing the good news or feeding the hungry as we are about sex!

When Jesus died for us it wasn't because we had the right answer, but because we were living the wrong answer and continue to live the wrong answer. The wrong answer has a lot of names, sin, separation, pride, presumption, or _______ (fill in your own blank). We all manage to curve in upon our selves – making it about our rights, our thoughts, our right answer.

We curve in but our Lord stretched out – on a cross - to make us right with God – a pure undeserved gift received in faith.

There remains common ground – at the foot of the cross.

“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8