Read:
Reflect:
For Reflection: Here is one of the big “buts” of the Bible – maybe the biggest. Though these verses be few they are fierce – with apologies to Willy Shakes. These verses are cited as conversion causing / repentance producing verses for Martin Luther, John Wesley, and Karl Barth. Apparently, God uses this passage. Grace and faith are lifted up as the only way to righteousness and justification before God.
Has grace and faith transformed your life?
If so how?
If not, I’m pretty sure Paul is saying that you are trusting in faulty foundations.
Lagniappe:
Psalm 32:1-2
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Righteousness through Faith
21 But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed and is attested by the Law and the Prophets, 22 the righteousness of God through the faith of Jesus Christ[a] for all who believe.[b] For there is no distinction, 23 since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24 they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement[c] by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; 26 it was to demonstrate at the present time his own righteousness, so that he is righteous and he justifies the one who has the faith of Jesus.[d]
27 Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. Through what kind of law? That of works? No, rather through the law of faith. 28 For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of gentiles also? Yes, of gentiles also, 30 since God is one, and he will justify the circumcised on the ground of faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 31 Do we then overthrow the law through this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.