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. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. (Romans 3:27-28) What a line! I love this part of the Letter to the Romans. Paul asks the philosopher– reason out the methodology by which we so excitedly share what we (Christians) believe and practice. If you think about what Paul is saying, he is saying to the outsider that Christians celebrate a crucified and risen savior because the law of belief and hope compels them to celebrate the raising of a dead man. It is mind boggling to those who hold strictly to a rational sense of existence. People cannot believe that the Christians are doing so absurd– following the teachings of somebody everybody knew was crucified with no proof or evidence that he actually rose again. Paul says to them that this is exactly the beauty and rationale by which they do church, quite literally because the “law of faith” which is the action produced by belief, does not allow for any other way to live. Let me bring this back to our so-called Christian life now. Is our celebration of Christ’s powerful act of love for us highlighted by our absurd faith and incredibly zealous celebration of His life? Or do we hold ourselves to a lifestyle that still emphasizes a self embodied righteousness that tries to obtain a semblance of goodness through some forced behavioral modification? Rather, are we in a place where we know in our minds but haven’t allowed that belief to sink into our hearts to push us into an exhilarating act of celebration in our belief– which may, consequently, look like boasting to the eyes of those who don’t share our beliefs? Going into the weekend, I want you to ask yourself whether or not you are acting faithfully in belief or is your belief shallow and empty? If it is a real belief, allow the law of faith take you over and into a life that boasts in Jesus’ love for you and me.