Every time I begin to understand my role, things change! Work reorganizes, kids grow up, people move on, and life continues in different ways. What was stable for months or years now stands quietly for a few weeks at best. What happened to the “good old days” of clear roles and responsibilities?
As I see God’s face with more clarity, things change! The focus of who does the work moves from what I do to what God does. I see God working in our lives, I see steps towards heaven, and I know that life is never the same after you turn towards His face. It is easy to forget, or to lose sight of, your and my role in things. Does my activity matter anymore? Do my choices make a difference? How do the rules and ways of God fit into our lives? What is my role in my relationship with God?
Traditionalists suggest that my work determines my relationship with God. Others suggest that what I do does not matter. Paul answered the issue bluntly! “But by shifting our focus from what we do to what God does, don’t we cancel out all our careful keeping of the rules and ways God commanded? Not at all. What happens, in fact, is that by putting that entire way of life in its proper place, we confirm it.” (Romans 3.31)
What does this mean? God gives freely to all. We cannot do anything to earn or keep his relationship. It is critical that one understand this to clarify one’s relationship and role with God. Confirming God means to validate the truth of his relationship with us! God gives each unmerited acceptance, grace, and love. As we give unmerited acceptance, grace, and love away freely, we confirm God. God is constantly looking to nurture our journey, take our burdens, and comfort us in times of stress. As we in turn nurture others, taking on their burdens, and being true friends, we validate the rules and ways of God.
Confirming God is an awesome role that never changes!
