“No take backs!”
It is the hallmark of playground ethics the world over, the Hammurabi’s Code of kid culture, the Eleventh Commandment of elementary school: Once invoked, it means that the speaker cannot undo an action, change a rule, or default on a promise.
Paul opens his letter to the Romans with a sickening survey of the sorry history of humanity’s rebellion against God. Gentiles take it on the chin through the middle of chapter two and then Paul starts in on his own kinfolk until he winds up with the coyote howl of worldwide condemnation: “For there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Ro 3.22-23)
Now, as he draws near to the end of this lengthy exposition of the gospel, Paul falls back on some sandlot theology: “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” Or, to paraphrase, “No take backs!” God has purposed to redeem us from the fall, and God will accomplish that purpose.
During the filming of the epic movie “Ben Hur,” star Charleton Heston confessed to Cecil B. DeMille that he doubted he could win the dramatic chariot race. “Charlie,” the great director supposedly replied, “It’s YOUR job to stay on the chariot. It’s MY job to see that you win.” Victory is God's job. The gifts and calling of God are without repentance. No take backs.
Of course, this is only good news in the long run. Short-term, it can be a rugged business having no choice about being God’s chosen.
In his novel Son of Laughter Frederick Buechner imagines the patriarch Jacob looking back over his daring act in supplanting Esau as the blessed brother. The Heel-Grabber feels like a bare-back bronc buster strapped to a maddened mount:
When the camel you’re riding runs wild, nothing will stop it. You cling to its neck. You wrench at its beard and long lip. You cry into its soft ear for mercy. You threaten vengeance. Either you hurl yourself to death from its pitching back or you ride out its madness to the end.
It was not I who ran off with my father’s blessing. It was my father’s blessing that ran off with me. Often since then I have cried mercy with the sand in my teeth. I have cried ikh-kh-kh to make it fall with a sob to its ungainly knees to let me dismount at last. Its hind parts are crusted with urine as it races forward. Its long-legged, hump-swaying gait is clumsy and scattered like rags in the wind. I bury my face in its musky pelt. The blessing will take me where it will take me. It is beautiful and it is appalling. It races through the barren hills to an end of its own.
Get me off this camel, God! I don’t want to be chosen anymore. But the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. No take backs.
We belong to God through an implacable love that insists on saving us even through the times when damnation looks inevitable – and preferable! Maybe that’s why the final word is mercy: Four times in the last three verses of the passage Paul appeals to it, and the last time he invokes it on “all.”
So mount up! Torque down the cinch strap and get a deep seat in the saddle. Salvation in Christ is not the easy stroll the televangelists promised but a wild camel ride that at last brings us skidding ingloriously into the throne room of the Almighty. Don’t worry about falling off. Don’t dream of getting away. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. No take backs.
Jane, Stop This Crazy Thing!
Doug
Collect
God of mercy, you include all of humankind in your call to salvation. Grant that we who have been shown Your saving mercy might show that same mercy to others, that Your irrevocable mercy might rest on all. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Benediction
May you rejoice that God’s mercy covers your disobedience,
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
May you display God’s mercy to those who are disobedient,
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
May you hope in God’s mercy upon all who are disobedient,
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
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