But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the “law” that requires faith. For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from observing the law. Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.

Romans 3:21-31 (TNIV)

Here Paul presents the heart of the Gospel. Paul reminds us of the hopelessness of the human condition (all have sinned and are unable to be in God’s presence because of it) and what God has done to solve the problem. We have been set free to love and obey God, not to continue acting as if we think we have taken his place. Beyond these comments, the text speaks for itself. Do you see Good News in it?

For trouble, if it merely turns us to God and hence renews our strength, ceases to be an evil, and becomes good; it becomes the best thing that could possibly come to us, next to God himself. For our growth in power and happiness depends upon the number of seconds out of each twenty-four hours that we are resting in God.

—Glenn Clark, The Soul’s Sincere Desire

Here again is more practical advise in how to respond faithfully when bad things strike us.

What do you say to these things [God’s command to Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac], Abraham? What kind of thoughts are stirring in your heart? A word has been uttered by God that is such as to shatter and try your faith. What do you say to these things? What are you thinking? What are you reconsidering? Are you thinking, are you turning over in your heart that if the promise has been give to me in Isaac but I offer him for a burnt offering, it remains that the promise holds no hope? Or rather do you think of those well-known words and say that it is impossible for him who promised to lie; be that as it may, the promise shall remain?

—Origen, Homilies on Genesis 8.1

Yesterday I preached on how Scripture tells us to respond when bad things happen to us. Here, Origen summarizes it nicely. We will either trust God to do us right or we won’t. If we do not know the God who loves us and gave himself for us very well, it is likely we will not trust him and so it behooves us to make the effort to get to know him better through regular prayer, Bible study, worship, and Christian fellowship.

Here Origen identifies the beginning of how to trust God. We must fix in our mind that God is always faithful and never lies. Therefore we can believe that he will deliver us, or at least help us to weather the storm, when we are afflicted. Abraham learned that by obeying God’s command to him. This is the only way you can ever learn to trust God; you must give him the chance to demonstrate his trustworthiness to you.

If even the recollection of your former slavery makes you ashamed, think how much more the reality of it would do so. You have gained in two ways—by being set free from your former shame and by having come to recognize your past life for what it was.

—John Chrysostom, Homilies on Romans 12

Paul did not say: “Let sin not exist,” but “Let it not reign.” Sin is within you if you take delight in it; it reigns if you consent to it.

—Caesarius of Arles, Sermon 134.3

Because of the weakness of its infirmity, the human race was unable to restrain itself from sin and had become subject to the death of hell. God was moved by the righteousness of his mercy, by which he always comes to the aid of the human race, and through Christ he provided a way by which he could reward those who were without hope. By forgiving their sins he released them from the law which had held them subject. Restored and made whole again by the help of God, they could reject the sins by which they had previously been held down.

—Ambrosiaster, Commentary on Paul’s Epistles

Confirm, O Lord, we pray you, the hearts of your children, and strengthen them with the power of your grace; that they may both be devout in prayer to you and sincere in love for each other; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

—The Leonine Sacramentary