This was the verse that stuck out in meditation tonight. I suppose it's ironic, given the fact that much of the criticism of Protestant theology is due to its denial that there is such a thing as meritorious works, but it really can't be stressed enough: We cannot earn our keep with God. It is both necessary and biblical to speak of merit, but it really is like borrowing Dad's wallet to buy the clay to make him an ugly ashtray.
The challenge of what the Church does say to us regarding grace and salvation is that, knowing we have gone from enemies to sons, a son or daughter doesn't punch Daddy in the face just to make him prove his love. On the other hand, we're pretty broken in general; we may continue to need convincing. The reason he adopted us is because that other man hurt us on purpose, and laughed as others beat and battered us, leaving us to die.
So, I tend to think of the treasury of merits in light of that other verse: "And they had everything in common." It's a huge inheritance that will never run out. If you need it, just ask! But only a son or daughter can ask. Where do we really believe that Daddy is not Daddy, who loves us entirely?
The challenge of what the Church does say to us regarding grace and salvation is that, knowing we have gone from enemies to sons, a son or daughter doesn't punch Daddy in the face just to make him prove his love. On the other hand, we're pretty broken in general; we may continue to need convincing. The reason he adopted us is because that other man hurt us on purpose, and laughed as others beat and battered us, leaving us to die.
So, I tend to think of the treasury of merits in light of that other verse: "And they had everything in common." It's a huge inheritance that will never run out. If you need it, just ask! But only a son or daughter can ask. Where do we really believe that Daddy is not Daddy, who loves us entirely?
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