2025-04-09 A Meditation on Sorting

“12 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.” (Rom 2:12-16 ESV)

The channels we are sorted into, on some level the orb of self-awareness fast forwards from its formerly patient and constructive position, and we cash in, feel the weight of an impetus stampeding forward, we are, after all, Grace not damnation. Our deeds, they seem slightly to reinforce this assessment: we are Saved. We have been “good folk”. And in that hour when the channels begin, the orb of judgment moves to its “Already” position, we shall still be aware and find visible our colleagues and neighbors in alternate channels.

Such was Dives and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). Such are we, as the time for public appeals diminishes, and the fact of the matter is, all are on their course, in their channel, fighting turf warfare of the Spirit, and trench battles of the Mind. More: planning and taking inventory. Taking stock. To be Grace has this supervenient Power of communicating across the Channel, of having a Last Stand for the sake of these to whom we were sent. Of positioning that orb somewhere in the “Not yet”, for just another day. Keeping it open, for just another day.

Because it is a mystical power, that of proper teaching. We are as those who dream, waltzing into a Last Stand courageous and bright: we are bright, brilliant in that stampeding Facts of Grace in our lives: we are those who “Get it”! It spoke to us. It came second nature to us. And the middling thoughts, the depressive thoughts, the “fact of the matter” that discourages: we are no longer seeing ourselves in terms of our irremediable sins, but with a chip on our shoulder and haste to Announce that Christ is Crucified for us, and we are keeping the day’s celebration.

We were greedy or slothful. We were quick to judge, or simply that self-centered brat that some adult figure saw in us. That is, that we see in ourselves: is it true, all have different degrees of damnation and sin in their character? And that we might be “less blessed” in regard to positive traits than others? That we might be self-centered and egotistical? That we might be covetous and capricious, bored and distracted? That we’ve just lost sight… thank you, sermon on the Mount… of those from whom and where our Calling originated in?

To perish “outside the law”… this may mean less without the legacy of Judaism in our mindset, but it relates to us today insofar as the law “written on the heart” is a law brandished, inculcated, discipled into those who never thought once to boast in their holiness. The laws of life in community, of not being a jerk or a manipulator. Of sincerity in relationships, romantic and otherwise. Of keeping the crew’s higher knowledge points somewhat secret. Of coping, with difficult family relationships, of getting a job (for so many, that is law), of caring for the weak and the vulnerable. All this… without a boast! Because the Law only brings about self-glamorization and pride. And Jesus would rather a fully-formed (in some trenches) man or woman who is minus certain Deeds and Observances, than one who is a boring trope cut from the repetitive cloth of the Jewish Tradition. The Jewish Inheritance.

Is that something we Believe? That the thief on the cross (fill in “thief” with any malfeasance of character) is more Jesus’ type of man than the scribe or the Pharisee, even though Christ came not to obliviate the law but to fulfill it? The thief… at least without the pretense! At least good—somewhat—to his friends (honor among thieves)! At least, for now, while dying, Heard. And we, now custodians of this Jewish Inheritance, though not Middle-eastern, not bloodlines, not heirs in the flesh, and rather audacious this much to claim!