For centuries, God’s people drifted along playing games with the laws and traditions of their faith.
Then Jesus came into our world as a baby in a manger — with a healthy dose of common sense and a sense of reality. Jesus brought a storm of righteousness into our evil world, so “Do what is right!”
Now, we’ve just seen two great storms in two days; the first was the inauguration of a new president who has transformed the legal, political, and social landscapes of our nation.
He, like Jesus’ followers in Acts 17.5, “turned the world upside down” or depending on which side you’re on, “turned the world right-side up.”
Then, the very next day, the fifth winter storm of the year named Enzo, transformed our geographical and public lives. You should know up front that winter storm names are not a real thing — the National Weather Service does not recognize them.
In fact, only the Weather Channel uses them, but schools were out, businesses were closed, most of us became shut-ins for a few days, travel was very risky, and lots of cars ended up in ditches. because we don’t know how to drive with ice and snow, and people didn’t use their common sense and a sense of reality to stay home.
One of the themes of Romans is that judgment is based on what we do!
“For God will reward each of us according to what we have done. Some people keep on doing good, and seek glory, honor, and immortal life; to them God will give eternal life. Other people are selfish and reject what is right, in order to follow what is wrong; on them God will pour out his anger and fury.”
— Romans 2: 6-8
Make no mistake, we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ, but Paul makes it clear that we are judged by our works — by what we do with our faith. James puts those two ideas together saying we are saved by a faith that works.
The Bible Commentary says, “We are saved by grace; it is the gift of a loving God who sent his only Son into our world to die for our sins. But judgment is based on what we do with that gift.”
So, do what is right.
Charles “Buddy” Whatley is a retired United Methodist pastor serving Dawson Street Methodist Church in Thomasville, Ga.
