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Each week I offer a “sermon in progress” - first-draft reflections as I prepare to proclaim the Gospel each weekend at Trinity Lutheran Church.

Genesis 12:1-4a
Psalm 121
Romans 4:1-5; 13-17
John 3:1-17

This week's Scripture readings, in English and in Spanish. 

In Genesis this week we read of God’s gracious promise given to Abram (who will later receive the name Abraham). God's promise is not contingent on anything. It’s not a business deal with complicated terms that Abram must complete. It’s not a quid pro quo. It’s a promise of God. And it’s quite simple:

“I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” - Genesis 12:2

Notice that Abram here doesn’t do anything to receive, or deserve, or retain God’s promise. Nope. It’s just God’s declaration.

“I will make of you a great nation.”

It’s God’s work and will. It’s God’s desire.

“I will bless you.”

It’s all God. That’s how God’s promises work. Long before Abram acted faithfully toward God, God acted with promise and blessing toward Abram. It all begins with God.

Then, in Sunday’s Gospel we read the most well known verse in the Bible:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life.” - John 3:16

Notice that before any mention of our belief is the unambiguous assertion of God’s love for the world. “For God so loved the world …”

It all begins with God’s act. It all begins with God’s love. It all begins with God.

So much religion gets twisted into requirements of what we must do. Finger-wagging. Focus on us, our belief, our actions, our faithfulness … along with casting unholy judgments on those who don’t live their faith the “right way.” Let’s not go there. Such religion is a sacrilegious cesspool of pride masquerading as righteousness. Our prayers are to rise before God as beautiful incense, not as an offensive stench.

God so loves the world and all who are in it. God’s love is the beginning of all good things. God’s love is the source of our faith and hope, the wellspring of all joy.

God so loves the world.

It all starts with God.