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One Bread, One Body - Reflection for October 15, 2009

THE JOY OF JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH

"We hold that a man is justified by faith apart from observance of the law." –Romans 3:28

Our justification, redemption, atonement, expiation, and salvation work "through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe" (Rm 3:22). Therefore:

• "All depends on faith, everything is grace" (Rm 4:16).
• We should ask the Lord to give us a deeper faith in Him (Lk 17:5).
• We don't have to try to do the impossible by saving ourselves (Is 26:18; Ps 49:8).
• We are no longer under the curse of having to obey the Law without the power to do it (Gal 3:10; Rm 7:18).
• The pressure's not on us, for His yoke is easy and His burden light (Mt 11:30).
• We can't take credit for being saved. Our boasting is ruled out by the law of faith (Rm 3:27).
• We must let God's salvation be done in our lives (see Lk 1:38), although we don't have to do it ourselves.
• We should be forever thankful to the Lord for saving us.
• We should love people enough to tell them the good news of salvation.
• "Let us rejoice and be glad that He has saved us!" (Is 25:9)

"My being proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit finds joy in God my Savior" (Lk 1:46).

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Acknowledgement

Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:

· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College