Romans 3:21-31 (The Message )
1. God Sets Things Right, Not Us
Paul’s letter to the Romans reminds us that we don’t “set things right” by our actions—God does it for us through grace. In the sermon, you mentioned how “God isn’t waiting for us to get things right. He already took care of that on the cross.”
- Question: How does it feel to know that God’s grace comes as a gift and isn’t something we have to earn? Can you think of times when you’ve tried to earn God’s love, only to realize it was already yours?
2. Walking at a Human Pace
You talked about how Jesus walked at a human pace—about 2-3 miles per hour. Not in a rush, but always moving forward in grace. You said, “Discipleship happens one step at a time. We’re walking with Jesus, not running a race.”
- Question: Are there moments in your life when you’ve felt the need to slow down and walk more closely with Jesus? How might walking at “God’s pace” change how we approach our faith?
3. Temptation to Climb Higher Ground
In the sermon, you mentioned how easy it is to think we’ve made it to higher ground spiritually. You said, “We think we’re walking with God, but sometimes all we’re doing is climbing up to a pedestal.” This can lead to a sense of superiority or separation from others.
- Question: Have you ever found yourself feeling spiritually “above” others, even unintentionally? How can we guard against slipping into self-righteousness in our daily walk with God?
4. Feet on the Ground, Not on a Pedestal
You shared that God wants us to have our feet on the ground—not up on a pedestal, but also not buried in the dirt of shame. “God is always putting us back in our place—not to knock us down, but to walk with us back home.”
- Question: What does it mean to have our “feet on the ground” spiritually? How can this help us stay humble while also accepting God’s love and grace?
5. We’re All Walking Each Other Home
You referenced the phrase, “We’re all just walking each other home,” showing how, in the Christian life, we’re not on this journey alone. We’re meant to walk with others in grace.
- Question: How can we support each other as we walk this journey of faith together? Can you share an example of a time someone walked with you through a difficult season in life?
6. Justification: God Aligns Us with His Love
You described justification like aligning a Word document—God takes what’s out of place in our lives and brings it back into line with His love. “It’s God saying, ‘We’re good’—not because of what we’ve done, but because of who He is.”
- Question: In what areas of your life do you need God to bring you back into alignment with His love? How does knowing that God has already made things right change how you live day to day?
Closing Reflection: In what ways does understanding God’s grace more deeply affect your relationships—with God, with others, and with yourself?
Quotes for Reflection
- “Grace is not a thing. It is not a substance that can be measured or counted. It is the personal presence of the living God.”
- N.T. Wright
This quote emphasizes that grace is the dynamic, personal presence of God in our lives, not something we earn or quantify. How does this reshape your understanding of grace?
- N.T. Wright
- “The greatest mystery of the gospel is not our sin, but God’s unrelenting love, which embraces us in our imperfection and calls us beloved.”
- Richard Rohr
Rohr reminds us that it’s God’s love, not our failures, that defines us. Reflect on how this truth impacts your sense of worth and relationship with the Divine.
- Richard Rohr
- “Justification by faith is about God putting the world back to rights, beginning with us. It’s about reordering our lives in alignment with the Creator’s love.”
- James Dunn
Dunn’s insight invites us to see justification as more than personal salvation—it’s the beginning of a wider restoration. How might this understanding impact how you interact with others and the world?
- James Dunn
- “The way of Jesus is the way of the cross. It is a call to downward mobility, to humility, to solidarity with those who are least in the eyes of the world.”
- Henri Nouwen
Nouwen’s words remind us that following Jesus involves walking the path of humility. How does this challenge you in your relationships and lifestyle?
- Henri Nouwen
- “To believe in justification by grace is to accept that we are constantly being forgiven, renewed, and invited to start again—this is the journey of faith.”
- Rowan Williams
Williams highlights that grace is an ongoing process of renewal. How does the idea of continual forgiveness and renewal change how you approach your daily spiritual walk?
- Rowan Williams
