Today's Lectionary Text
Romans 5:12-19
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned — sin was indeed in the world before the law, but sin is not reckoned when there is no law.Yet death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who was to come. But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the one man's trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many.
And the free gift is not like the effect of the one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification.
If, because of the one man's trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. Therefore just as one man's trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man's act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all.
For just as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.
Questions for Reflection
- How have arrogance and pride in your life hindered your relationship with God and others?
- Which behaviors, disciplines, or teachings of Christ reveal his humble spirit?
- What steps will you take this week to develop a heart more open to God so you may embody a spirit of humility?
Rev. Kathy Williams
kwilliams@greatplainsumc.org
and
Rev. Orlando Gallardo Parra
oparra@greatplainsumc.org
kwilliams@greatplainsumc.org
and
Rev. Orlando Gallardo Parra
oparra@greatplainsumc.org
Today's Devotional
This Week's Lenten Focus: Humility
This Lenten season, Bishop David Wilson, along with some conference staff and members of the laity, are inviting the people of the Great Plains Conference and beyond to “Pay Attention to God’s Voice” during this season of Lent. The theme for this week is "Humility."Humility is freeing ourselves from the false wisdom of arrogance and pride and emerges when our heart becomes pliable to the presence and righteousness of God.
The season of Lent is a time of deep self-examination and true acknowledgement of what we are willing to put aside to fully embrace and embody our God. Humility is not an automatic response for us. It is challenging for us to turn away from the urging of our inner desires and to put ourselves aside in the interest of God and others; however, God gives us the power of the Holy Spirit to do so.
If we are humble enough to obediently submit and surrender to God, we experience restoration, and our lives are beautifully transformed. We become more peaceful, more loving, and more giving and forgiving. Through the presence of humility, we develop hearts of gratitude and we become more self-aware of who we are in Christ.
Through the presence of humility, our choices remove us more and more from the urgings of the world and draw us nearer and closer to God.
Watch this video, which spotlights this week's Lenten focus word of "humility."
Prayer for Reflection
O God, we know that we cannot achieve salvation by ourselves. It is truly humbling to know that Jesus saved so many by his actions on the cross. We bow today in thanksgiving of your lovingkindness toward your creation. Amen.
