5 July 2005

Let's jump in with a look at another look at 1 Corinthians with...a different set of eyes.

...let each of you lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God called you. This is my rule in all the churches. Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision in nothing; but obeying the commandments of God is everything. Let each of you remain in the condition you were called. (1 Cor. 7:17-20)

Paul is not simply writing off a small issue here. This is a identity making action. This simple cut of the foreskin was a mark that meant everything! But among us...it is nothing. So, if you are you are if you are not you are not -- we are the church together. I wondered how this kind of thought would fly when we take a look at those who are homosexuals (Please note that for this writer - being a homosexual is not like choosing or having it chosen for you -like circumcision...it is something you are.). Don't seek to try and change. You are who you are. You are in this position - do not try to be something else or look like something else or dance like someone else. Be the baptized follower of Jesus into whose life you have been thrust when the water of baptism was splashed over you with the words of God's promises. But know this - "obey the commandments of God!" We are born again into the promise of our baptism...into Christ, Jesus - no exceptions and no removal of that identity. Here is where we come in with the "and then." And then, live within the love of God that is brought out in such a wonderful gift as the commandments. No matter who you are - circumcised or not...male or female...gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered or straight, there is a character of life that comes through the water of baptism and we call it the way of the cross. It take some loving that is beyond our comprehension so that we literally need some guide along the way. People who welcome and call for full membership of homosexuals in the church are ask for nothing more or nothing less than Paul did of these folks in Corinth.

Connection: What matters in the life of the church...in the life of your congregation...in the life of a community of baptized people with whom you would like to live out your days?

We ask that you remain the God who has liberated your people throughout time. For we know that as you liberate, O God, you also bring us into a life that is filled with the blessings of your freedom and the character of your Beloved, Jesus. Amen.