Romans 3:21-30 ~ God is One

"One Nation Under God" by artist Jon McNaughton

Romans 3:21-30 (English Standard Version)

21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.

~ God is one

The painting makes me a little uncomfortable. Many of the historical figures didn't profess a devotion to Jesus Christ. It seems like ramming white washing down the gullet. As a country, we haven't always had the best motivation or intentions. Slavery. But we have done well when compared to other empires. "There are no atheists in the trenches" is attributed to Father Cummings, in 1945 at the raid at Cabantuan (freeing 512 prisoners of war from a Japanese concentration camp). Wikipedia lists the latest variation as "there are no libertarians in a financial crisis."

When God first established Israel after the Exodus, the method of government wasn't established. God wanted each person to choose God and do the right thing. He wanted each of us to rely upon Him and act righteously. This didn't work. Another reason the painting is uncomfortable.

We could extend this argument to Separation of Church & State. I'd like to extend the argument, from the typical problems of a typical school board after an Act of Congress passed our official country motto "In God We Trust"& compare it to 10 years after prayer was abolished in schools. A vast difference between gum chewing and truancy versus teen-age pregnancy and drugs.

Let's think of the painting as individuals in a painting with Jesus. Just as the children of Israel were never fully worthy of God's gift of Israel and all of His promises, we are not worthy.
Maybe instead of the problems with the painting, we can see Jesus as the sustaining force of our nation, of our families, of "past" crisis and be.... grateful. Jesus Christ sees into the hearts of mankind and finds us redeemable. Pray for our nation. God still answers prayers. We still trust in God.


<><