Of Family, Love, and Works
For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen…
– St. Paul, Letter to the Romans, Chapter 9, verse 3
I think in order to make this statement, you would need to have a real zeal and love for your people; a deep devotion that compares to what most people experience only in family. I doubt Paul says anything lightly, and so I think this is perhaps a keen insight into the loving man that is Paul. Not a devotion to theology, but a devotion to his people and his God.
I am deeply committed to my family — not just the one I rear and provide for, but also for the family that reared and provided for me. Their mere being provides for me; their fellowship fills me up; their love inspires me. I am driven to demonstrate how great my family is in what I do – not to earn my place, for that has already been provided, but out of faithfulness, obedience, and love.
And in this way, I find myself before God – my Father through Jesus. How can I be faithful with idle hands – or worse hands that know no obedience? Just as with love, faithfulness is not idle – it is active. And so, my works – my obedience – are needed for my faith. Not to earn my place before God – that has been provided to me by faith – but to demonstrate that I have a place before God, that my faith is real. We know God is faithful to His people by the great things He does for us. Why would the reverse not be true?
I could be wrong, but I think Paul feels the same way.
I’ve thought before that I would trade my salvation if I had a guarantee that someone else could have it who otherwise wouldn’t. Not so deep down, though, I’m glad that God won’t let me do that.
I, too, wish to be faithful, obedient and loving. Lord help me.