The Daily Office for February 11, 2012
Scriptures
Psalm 87
Genesis 29:1-20
Romans 14:1-23
John 8:47-59
Reading (Romans 14:1-23)
Reflection
What was the nature of the weakness mentioned in verse 1 of our Epistle reading today? We actually don't know. But whatever were the particular religious scruples which caused differences between them, the basic problem was that some of the believers had not grasped the great truths Paul had just expounded upon eariler in his letter.
Those who are weak in the faith were Christians who did not have full understanding that salvation is the free gift of God and that the believer faces no condemnation whatever because of the atonement of Christ. Paul enjoyed his Christian liberty to the fullest and was totally emancipated from foolish superstitions and unbiblical taboos. Some of the Romans, however, were yet clinging to these taboos for they did not fully accept the doctrine of justification by faith alone. In relation to this, Paul addresses both those living freely in Christ and those in Christ who are still bound by fleshly legalism. The same holds true today. We shouldn't allow the weakness of legalism to blind us to the joy of justification by faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Collect for the Day
Almighty God, who alone can bring order to the unruly wills and passions of sinful humanity: give your people grace so to love what you command and to desire what you promise, that, among the many changes of this world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.