Commuter Bible John Ross

As we open Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus it becomes immediately clear that Paul is overflowing with joy in Christ. The source and origin of this joy is Christ Himself, whom Paul notes as the one who is responsible for our salvation. Take note of how often Paul uses the phrase “In Him” or “In Christ”. He goes on to make clear that it is not our works that bring such blessing and righteousness, but free grace through faith. Having received this gift, Paul then encourages the church to live worthy of God’s calling. Though we may often fail, we should make it our aim to grow into maturity, submitting to the order of King Jesus.

It seems like so much has been lost in the time of the judges, but the author of Ruth gives us a glimmer of hope. In a season of drought, a family leaves Israel and moves to Moab hoping to find relief, but instead they find sorrow. The wife, Naomi, becomes a widow without family to help her. Her daughter-in-law, a foreigner, commits to love her and care for her, returning with her to the people of Israel. There, she meets Boaz, a family redeemer who honors Ruth, cares for her, and in obedience to the Lord, redeems her into his own family. Ruth is part of a bigger story of redemption, as her lineage will include not only King David, but Jesus the Christ.

The call to love one another continues as Paul encourages church members not to quarrel over opinions. From one believer to the next, you’ll find that Christians have varying convictions about what is acceptable concerning things like dietary restrictions or celebration of particular days, and Paul says that’s OK. Let each one be convinced without quarreling with one another. Moreover, if your actions make another brother or sister stumble, you shouldn’t let your preferences take precedence over the good of your brother or sister. Paul ends by sending affectionate greetings to specific believers he knows.

When we consider that God “hardens hearts,” our minds may try to conceive of a defense for God or fight against the idea that the Lord would direct our steps in such a way. Paul recognizes this instinct and asks, “Is there injustice with God?” Absolutely not! If we have earned or merited anything in this life, Scripture says that our proper wages are only sin and death. We praise God that He has mercy on anyone, for what we deserve is hell and separation from a holy God for rebelling against Him. The free gift, that which is entirely undeserved, is to be made right before God the Father through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

True righteousness comes by faith in Jesus Christ, not by the works of the flesh. Paul has masterfully explained that Abraham is the father of all who come to faith in Christ, both Jew and Gentile, as by faith he received the promise before the institution of circumcision and then received circumcision as a seal of that faith. Today he explains that while Adam’s sin brings death to all, Christ’s obedience brings life to all who trust in Him. In this new life, we called to offer up every part of our being to God, rejecting sin at every turn. Having been redeemed you can walk confidently in obedience, for the Lord watches over your life.

Paul’s letter to the house churches of Rome is full of rich, theological truth, often presenting ideas that are both mind-boggling and comforting all at once. In today’s passage, Paul begins to present his case for a righteousness that comes by faith. He begins by explaining that the world rejects God because they love their unrighteous behavior more than their Creator. There is no one righteous and no one who seeks God, for all have sinned and fall short of His glory. The good news is that if we, whether Jew or Gentile, have faith in Christ Jesus, we will be declared righteous in God’s sight.