And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace. – Romans 11:6

Today's Scripture Reading (April 26, 2024):  Romans 11

An argument rages around me over climate change and what we need to do about it. Living in an oil-rich region of the country, some of my friends argue that the climate change warnings are overly dramatic. They say that we are just in a natural cycle of the planet; they contend that climate change is a constant on the earth and has nothing to do with our actions or anything else. Others take the reverse position. Climate change is out of control, something that we need to get a hand on now, and the only way that we can do that is by forsaking technology based on oil consumption and investing in carbon capture technology. Still, others try to take a middle position. Yes, we need to lessen our dependence on oil, but we can't do that cold turkey. Besides, our knowledge in the area of clean energy is lacking. Do we have the necessary materials to build the batteries we need to make a complete transition to clean energy? And what do we do with the batteries and other artifacts of clean energy at the other side of their life cycle? Do we have a plan for the end of their lives? All are good questions and ones I admit I do not have the answer to. Can we make the complete switch? Do we need a mediating point, a place of transition between one and the other? I don't know.

Paul isn't talking about climate change but rather a change in our spiritual status. Once, who we were in front of God was dependent on works. Our spiritual condition depended on keeping the Mosaic Laws and making the correct sacrifices. But everything changed with Jesus. Paul is teaching about a new way, one based on grace.

Some were teaching that Christian Spirituality needed a halfway point. First, you needed to convert to Judaism, with all of its rules and sacrifice. If you were a male, that meant being circumcised, something that was unthinkable to Gentile cultures. And then the grace of Jesus would take us the rest of the way.

Paul is clear: there could be no middle or transitional point of faith, no halfway mark where it was some works and some grace. The two concepts were antithetical to each other. Either you depended on grace or you relied on works, but it was nonsensical to say that you are dependent on both. Grace would always erase works, and works would always erase grace.

I don't know what the answer might be regarding clean energy, climate change, and future technology, but as to faith, we have to choose between grace and works. One cannot coexist with the other, so it is up to us to make the choice. But Paul is clear; he recommends the path of grace.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Romans 12