sin the virus cured by grace

Once again this year University Hill Congregation is hosting forty seven texts on its Lenten pilgrimage to Easter. You can find the daily reflections here. I was assigned Romans 5:12-19. This is my witness:

Here’s the problem. The original earthling - “adam” (literally “made of earth”) - was infected with the virus of sin. This virus then spread to all. It works like a gravitational force that draws humankind away from God with tragic consequences. Shakespeare’s tragedies - like many contemporary novels and movies - portray the ways in which all human actors are captive to this destructive force.

Here’s the news. God has broken the power of sin. A world that had been trapped in a cycle of death has been liberated. In Jesus Christ the problem has been rectified. The relationship that had been destroyed by sin has been been made right (righteous). Not just for a few. Not just for the believers. Not just for the upstanding. But for the many - for all. The cure is a free gift given to the world out of the abundance of God’s grace.

Here’s the situation. We live between the force fields of sin and of grace, between the powers of death and of life. We are caught up in the cosmic drama. Now like sunflowers that follow the sun we repent - we turn - and are drawn into God’s future as we look upon the face of Jesus Christ. This is amazing grace.

Prayer: “You are the One who overcomes sin with love and death with life. We are Your grateful children. Draw us close to You and to our neighbours - Your beloved world.”