The “Ultimate Welfare”

WED., APR. 24, 1996, 8:34 AM
OFFICE, PULLIAM

Though this affirmation about grace comes in the next portion of Paul’s letter to the Romans, I know you have “peeked ahead” and are quite aware of these passages, now firm Christian doctrine. Paul has been harsh (probably overdone) in his judgment of these Roman Jews. They know the law, and they are not keeping it fully. God wants this of them, His chosen people, and so he will be harder on them than on those who sin, but only against what they “feel” is right.

So, you know this harshness has a purpose. He must convince them that no matter how hard they try to do the right they fail. No one can earn the mantle of righteousness. And “relative goodness” is of no avail. You have to accept what you have not earned as a gift. My death, as Jesus, was the sacrifice for all of you, in all of your diversity. I did it for you. Consequently, says Paul, you are forgiven, accepted, and given righteousness.

And what’s the price? Belief and faith in Me, as Triune God, and humble acceptance of this “ultimate welfare.” For most Christians there is a need to be part of a faith community… a church with some approach to worship, study, and service that fits their spirits. Oh, a few can keep the faith through personal reading and study of the Scriptures, those who tend to be “loners.” Some need some time to find the compatible congregation, with compatible dogmas, creeds and interpretations. Yet all of these are just means to the continuing acceptance of this “gift.”

( 8:54 / 8:59 )

As God, I make it impossibly hard to be in My favor. Then I make it absurdly easy… or so it seems. It has been somewhat hard for you to feel this acceptance consistently, for you are a good, middle-class American, drenched in the ethic of hard work and reward for accomplishment. You are not firmly against monetary welfare in your culture, given to those who have no work for which they can be paid. Yet you are not completely comfortable, either, with this “giving to those who don’t work.” You feel there should be some standards and investigations… some confirmation that each recipient is “worthy”… really can’t live without this subsidy.

And how does this fit with this “spiritual welfare”? In this, no one can earn it. You have to take it as an undeserved present. You don’t have to do anything further to retain it except to keep the faith in Me, as real. However, because this acceptance of grace brings joyous appreciation there are strong motives to serve, in a number of ways. So you don’t have to do anything tangible to retain this grace… but you will, in appreciation, because life has so much more meaning now.

This is fundamental Christian doctrine, and you are a Christian so it does apply to you. But is it “the only way”? I have told you, as a mystical Christian, that this is both the only way and one of many ways I have devised and carry out. There is nothing wrong, mystically speaking, with a “way” being “only” and also “one of several.”

Sometime this year you will receive a Social Security check. In one sense you have earned this because of contributions when you worked as a “young man.” Your economic system can also calculate how much interest you have accumulated, with this money, these contributions, invested (even though this hasn’t happened). Then there is the difference in the value of your currency between when you contributed and now. But you can make a case that you have “earned” this government money.

In another sense the actual money you earned is long gone, and this and subsequent checks are just gifts… a form of welfare. “Thanks for being an older American!”