LAW and GOSPEL...

SCRIPTURE

Romans 2:12-16 (NRSV)

Gentiles obey the law instinctively

All who have sinned apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous in God's sight, but the doers of the law who will be justified. When Gentiles, who do not possess the law, do instinctively what the law requires, these, though not having the law, are a law to themselves. They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, to which their own conscience also bears witness; and their conflicting thoughts will accuse or perhaps excuse them on the day when, according to my gospel, God, through Jesus Christ, will judge the secret thoughts of all.

DEVOTION

I’ve often been impressed by the love, joy, and peace that I witness in the lives of my non-Christian friends. I have often wondered how it is—apart from a relationship with Jesus Christ--that they are able to live “good” lives in service to others!

But, today, Paul’s letter to Romans reminds us that even our non-Christian friends who have not heard the good news message are able to instinctively do what the law requires because God has written that law on their hearts and in their consciences.

Wow! This is why all human beings in their right minds are capable of love, desirous of peace, and seekers of joy. No matter where you find yourself, it generally unacceptable to kill, steal, or destroy. These are human virtues and values practiced across race, culture, religion, and ethnicity—with few exceptions.

Now, in every society are there degenerates? Of course! There are always people who flirt with and/or disregard the laws of society, but on the whole, as human beings there are some universal laws of right and wrong.

But, here’s what we need to know as Christians! As Christians, we must be hearers and doers of God’s Holy Word! We not only have the Law written in our hearts, but we have access to that same law in the person of Jesus Christ, with whom we profess to have a life-giving, affirming, and saving relationship!

We love because JESUS is LOVE. We serve because JESUS taught us to do so. We are peacemakers because CHRIST did the same. We are compassionate, because we have seen GOD’s compassion toward us.

Our motivation to do right is not born solely of a selfish desire to lead a “good life,” instead it is our soul’s desire to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves!

Our compulsion on a daily basis is to love and serve somebody to the cross of Jesus where they will meet the King of Love, receive forgiveness, be reconciled with God, and inherit the promise of eternal life!

My friends, let us take advantage of our non-Christian friends’ desire to live healthy, happy, holy, and whole lives. Let us share with them the good news that this kind of life always takes its genesis in the love, care, compassion, generosity, grace, and mercy of our Great God! Let us help them make ultimate meaning out of life by teaching them that Jesus saves and He saves to the utmost!

After all, when we are in Christ, life makes more sense, takes on greater meaning, and testifies 24/7/365 to how great is our God!

Let’s face it, the law makes so much more sense, when we also understand the gospel—or the good news—that God loves gave, and saves!

Our non-Christian friends only possess “half” of the story; therefore, it is our honor and joy to introduce them to the Good News whose Name is JESUS!

Go in peace and share this good news with others!

Amen! So be it!

Will you share good news with a non-Christian friend today?

Holy God, thank you that you have written your law on the heart of all human beings. Please help me to now share Your good news with them as well. I am so grateful that you love us so much that you gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life! I am so thankful that Jesus did not stay dead, but was resurrected just as he promised! Please help me to share this good news message with others. I love you and I want to share your love with others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.