Text: Galatians 2: 15-21
We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by doing the works of the law, because no one will be justified by the works of the law. But if, in our effort to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have been found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again the very things that I once tore down, then I demonstrate that I am a transgressor. For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.
"If the law is in effect, the death of Christ is futile. If the death of Christ is significant and powerful, then the law can no longer have force." We say that the death of Christ is significant and powerful. We say that it is our life. (I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me) Wonderful words and yet, as church...as people who call ourselves the body of Christ alive in the world today...we easily slip in the works of law as though that is what is finally necessary to be considered one of the "saved." I would suggest that when we let ourselves fall for the old-age line that keeps on insisting on seeing some evidence of "getting it right" or "doing it right" in word & attitudes like, "Yeh, but it can be free...what if they don't change their ways," we are literally a people working to save people -- from Jesus!!! We are saving people from being outright and completely free and justified (period). Why are we in such a horrible mess in regard to welcoming all people into the church!?! We would rather have something less than the complete domain of the Crucified Jesus as our home. Therefore, we will continue to hang onto any and every little sliver of scripture that will let us ignore the all encompassing word of justification. Are we saying Christ has died for the world...for all or are we hesistant to lift high that banner? When we hesistate, we in our hesitation and silence bring back into our lives - the law and all of its ways of accusing. Therefore, we are proclaiming to the world in word and actions that - Christ died for nothing. Personally, I don't by that. For all...or for none. Remember this, our actions may appear to nullify the grace of God within our witness to the world but the Grace of God is something that can never be nullified - the resurrection is the boldest witness to that new age and the banquet feast set for all God's children.
Connection: Christ died for everyone you will encounter this day - no exceptions. O my, what a way to look at the world. I know that I am not able to completely let that guide my heart. We need each other to be a word of remembrance and then always a word of forgiveness and new life. Nothing nullifies God's Grace...nothing. What a gift to remember today.
Loving & forgiving God, we can only stand at the beginning of this day and give you thanks. We will stumble today. We will fall. We will judge the world around us. We will boast and brag and condemn and hate. We will love and care. We will honor and give freely of ourselves and our possessions. We will walk humbly and exercise compassion. But we know that in all that takes place this day - it is by your word of promise that we are your beloved - that alone sets us free to live again and again praising you as we reach into this day you have given to us. Amen
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
Monday, June 28, 2004
Tuesday, 29 June, 2004
Text: Galatians 2:11-14
But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood self-condemned; for until certain people came from James he used to eat with the Gentiles. But after they came, he drew back and kept himself separate for fear of the circumcision faction. And the other Jews joined him in this hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not acting consistently with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, "If you , though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?"
If the church is opened up for all - without stipulations to be followed in order to be on the inside - the church (people) need to keep one another focused on the vision. And yes, that may mean bringing word and action in line with one another. And yes, it takes others to help us follow in the way of that vision. Those who live within the gracious Reign of God that we have come to know in Jesus, don't need to fall in line to those who would call for anything more than the saving word of God to make our day. The circumcision party ( doesn't sound like a party at all to me!) wanted to live by the old ways of doing something "in order that..." They wanted any new followers of Jesus to go through the traditional "marks" of the people of Judaism. And yet, the only mark we take on as followers of Jesus is the cross marked on our foreheads at baptism. That is, we are marked by God's welcoming touch and nothing more. That is enough to establish us in a place within the Reign of God forever. No need to play games with religious actions and mandates so that we can judge one another's adherence to the faith. Paul is leading us to an announcement of freedom that comes with trusting the promise made to us in Jesus and having our lives rest in that alone. Forget the outside influences that attempt to set up all the religious hoops that neither serve God nor the community in themselves.
Connection: Speak up! When you hear the IF's of conditional religion - especially if it is said in the name of Jesus, simply say, that's not the vision of God's Reign that I see in Jesus. No hoops! No laundry list of what must be. Just the blessed assurance that in Christ we are the beloved(period).
O Blessed & Forgiving God, keep us faithful in our journey within your Reign. Do not let us fall into the comfortable world of legal hypocrisy in which we attempt to keep score of our lives even as you do not even own a scorepad. Remind us of your open and everlasting welcome into your arms. Amen
But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood self-condemned; for until certain people came from James he used to eat with the Gentiles. But after they came, he drew back and kept himself separate for fear of the circumcision faction. And the other Jews joined him in this hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not acting consistently with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, "If you , though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?"
If the church is opened up for all - without stipulations to be followed in order to be on the inside - the church (people) need to keep one another focused on the vision. And yes, that may mean bringing word and action in line with one another. And yes, it takes others to help us follow in the way of that vision. Those who live within the gracious Reign of God that we have come to know in Jesus, don't need to fall in line to those who would call for anything more than the saving word of God to make our day. The circumcision party ( doesn't sound like a party at all to me!) wanted to live by the old ways of doing something "in order that..." They wanted any new followers of Jesus to go through the traditional "marks" of the people of Judaism. And yet, the only mark we take on as followers of Jesus is the cross marked on our foreheads at baptism. That is, we are marked by God's welcoming touch and nothing more. That is enough to establish us in a place within the Reign of God forever. No need to play games with religious actions and mandates so that we can judge one another's adherence to the faith. Paul is leading us to an announcement of freedom that comes with trusting the promise made to us in Jesus and having our lives rest in that alone. Forget the outside influences that attempt to set up all the religious hoops that neither serve God nor the community in themselves.
Connection: Speak up! When you hear the IF's of conditional religion - especially if it is said in the name of Jesus, simply say, that's not the vision of God's Reign that I see in Jesus. No hoops! No laundry list of what must be. Just the blessed assurance that in Christ we are the beloved(period).
O Blessed & Forgiving God, keep us faithful in our journey within your Reign. Do not let us fall into the comfortable world of legal hypocrisy in which we attempt to keep score of our lives even as you do not even own a scorepad. Remind us of your open and everlasting welcome into your arms. Amen
Sunday, June 27, 2004
Monday, 28 June, 2004
Text: Galatians 2:6-10
And from those who were supposed to be acknowledged leaders (what they actually were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality) - those leaders contributed nothing to me. On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel for the circumcised (for he who worked through Peter making him an apostle to the circumcised also worked through me in sending me to the Gentiles), and when James and Cephas and John, who were acknowledged pillars, recognized the grace that had been given to me, they gave to Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship, agreeing that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. They asked only one thing, that we remember the poor, which was actually what I was eager to do.
I think it is significant to lift up what the "pillars" did during this meeting in Jerusalem. I think it was inspired and obvious. They "recognized the grace" that had been given to Paul. The folk in Jerusalem may have had a bit of a bias toward those who were Jewish and now were following Jesus - people who may have been continuing in the ways of the Jewish practices (circumcision to name one). And yet, what Paul is doing among the uncircumcised - even though it is among "them" - is the word of Grace given to Paul. To deny that...to stop that...to put a hold on that - would be to put a hold on the whole word of the Good News. I think they realized that. Blessed are they - those early leaders - for the presence of the Holy Spirit was able to press on through the barriers of our religious preferences and into the day full of Grace!
Going out to the Gentiles was big deal. Bigger than any of the "issues" that seem to keep us bound up and unable to open our doors wide to all of God's people even today. It is wonderful to see that there were these big differences between people/groups in the early life of the Church and that these differences were continually dismantled so that the Good News would be the word of the day.
Connection: Grace has a life about it. Put acts of grace and mercy and love next to the other ways we act in our day and there is quite no comparison. Though we continually fall short of the life within God's Gracious Reign, it is still a reality that is established for all time and we are able to enter it again and again. Why, because it is the Gracious Reign of God. Simply enjoy the acts of grace within your day and thank God for the Spirit of Life that makes them blossom around us.
God of Grace and God of Glory, be our pathway and our vision. In the face of what may prevail around us, grant us the grace to be people who stand and walk and live within your Reigning love. Amen.
And from those who were supposed to be acknowledged leaders (what they actually were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality) - those leaders contributed nothing to me. On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel for the circumcised (for he who worked through Peter making him an apostle to the circumcised also worked through me in sending me to the Gentiles), and when James and Cephas and John, who were acknowledged pillars, recognized the grace that had been given to me, they gave to Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship, agreeing that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. They asked only one thing, that we remember the poor, which was actually what I was eager to do.
I think it is significant to lift up what the "pillars" did during this meeting in Jerusalem. I think it was inspired and obvious. They "recognized the grace" that had been given to Paul. The folk in Jerusalem may have had a bit of a bias toward those who were Jewish and now were following Jesus - people who may have been continuing in the ways of the Jewish practices (circumcision to name one). And yet, what Paul is doing among the uncircumcised - even though it is among "them" - is the word of Grace given to Paul. To deny that...to stop that...to put a hold on that - would be to put a hold on the whole word of the Good News. I think they realized that. Blessed are they - those early leaders - for the presence of the Holy Spirit was able to press on through the barriers of our religious preferences and into the day full of Grace!
Going out to the Gentiles was big deal. Bigger than any of the "issues" that seem to keep us bound up and unable to open our doors wide to all of God's people even today. It is wonderful to see that there were these big differences between people/groups in the early life of the Church and that these differences were continually dismantled so that the Good News would be the word of the day.
Connection: Grace has a life about it. Put acts of grace and mercy and love next to the other ways we act in our day and there is quite no comparison. Though we continually fall short of the life within God's Gracious Reign, it is still a reality that is established for all time and we are able to enter it again and again. Why, because it is the Gracious Reign of God. Simply enjoy the acts of grace within your day and thank God for the Spirit of Life that makes them blossom around us.
God of Grace and God of Glory, be our pathway and our vision. In the face of what may prevail around us, grant us the grace to be people who stand and walk and live within your Reigning love. Amen.
Thursday, June 24, 2004
Friday, 25 June,2004
Text: Galatians 2:4-5
But because of false believers secretly brought in, who slipped in to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might enslave us - we did not submit to them even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might always remain with you.
Briefly, from Friday, Paul, Barnabas, & Titus (uncircumcized and all) went up to Jerusalem to meet with the elders there so as to talk about Paul's work among the Gentiles.
In the old camp song "Pass it On" one of the lines is: It only takes a spark.... The spark has to do with the Spirit and God's love. It only takes a spark...and that is enough...it move and grow. Well, we could say quite the opposite here. Whatever it was that the false believers "brought in," it didn't need to be much. One word about "conditions" one sentence phrased with an "IF...THEN..." so as to give the message that we must do something before we can be the people of God in Christ - has the potential to enslave us. The truth about the Grace of God in Jesus is quite radical. It is completely - for all - or it is for no one. It is completely - with no effort on our part needed - or we must work our way into God's loving presence...which is an impossibility...so you could say it is pure hell. Conditional love is the love that is for sale outside the Reign of God...it is love that keep people separate and attempts to tell us that this is the way it is to be. This "love" is not love at all!
"We did not submit to them even for a moment." It only takes a moment of giving in to conditional words spoken as though they are a part of the Good News to cause the News to be less than Good. That is why Paul is so insistent to say they didn't even fall into it for a moment. The truth of the Good News - God for us, for life - must be as clear as Jesus eating with the tax collectors and sinners...Good News excludes no one. Paul and his friends will be laying out to the Jerusalem leaders what happens in the world when the Good News is released...there is no end to its power and influence.
Connection: It is important for all of us to question jokes and comments that degrade others. Racial slurs, jokes used at the expense of others. stereotypes and the like need to be confronted. So it is with the Good News. When something conditional is tied to it, a simple - "I don't think the Good News is Conditional." Even using a version of the popular WWJD (what would Jesus do) encourages us & others to try and picture Jesus doing what we may be doing. Can you imagine Jesus telling a joke at the expense of others.
O God of Love, your word is like a breath of fresh air for it opens up our lives and enables us to look with new eyes at our world. Be the rock upon which we will stand today so that we may be a living witness to the love that we see in Jesus. Amen.
But because of false believers secretly brought in, who slipped in to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might enslave us - we did not submit to them even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might always remain with you.
Briefly, from Friday, Paul, Barnabas, & Titus (uncircumcized and all) went up to Jerusalem to meet with the elders there so as to talk about Paul's work among the Gentiles.
In the old camp song "Pass it On" one of the lines is: It only takes a spark.... The spark has to do with the Spirit and God's love. It only takes a spark...and that is enough...it move and grow. Well, we could say quite the opposite here. Whatever it was that the false believers "brought in," it didn't need to be much. One word about "conditions" one sentence phrased with an "IF...THEN..." so as to give the message that we must do something before we can be the people of God in Christ - has the potential to enslave us. The truth about the Grace of God in Jesus is quite radical. It is completely - for all - or it is for no one. It is completely - with no effort on our part needed - or we must work our way into God's loving presence...which is an impossibility...so you could say it is pure hell. Conditional love is the love that is for sale outside the Reign of God...it is love that keep people separate and attempts to tell us that this is the way it is to be. This "love" is not love at all!
"We did not submit to them even for a moment." It only takes a moment of giving in to conditional words spoken as though they are a part of the Good News to cause the News to be less than Good. That is why Paul is so insistent to say they didn't even fall into it for a moment. The truth of the Good News - God for us, for life - must be as clear as Jesus eating with the tax collectors and sinners...Good News excludes no one. Paul and his friends will be laying out to the Jerusalem leaders what happens in the world when the Good News is released...there is no end to its power and influence.
Connection: It is important for all of us to question jokes and comments that degrade others. Racial slurs, jokes used at the expense of others. stereotypes and the like need to be confronted. So it is with the Good News. When something conditional is tied to it, a simple - "I don't think the Good News is Conditional." Even using a version of the popular WWJD (what would Jesus do) encourages us & others to try and picture Jesus doing what we may be doing. Can you imagine Jesus telling a joke at the expense of others.
O God of Love, your word is like a breath of fresh air for it opens up our lives and enables us to look with new eyes at our world. Be the rock upon which we will stand today so that we may be a living witness to the love that we see in Jesus. Amen.
Thursday, 24 June, 2004
Text: If you want, read Gal. 1:14-24 as a background Paul provides as to the journey he made from the time of the revelation delivered to him and the time he goes up to Jerusalem to give a witness to the work he was doing among the Gentiles.
Then we begin for today:
Galatians 2: 1-2
Then afte fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. I went up in response to a revelation . The I laid before them (though only in a private meeting with the acknowledged leaders) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure that I was not running, or had not run, in vain.
Paul had quite a story to tell about he journey of his life. When he goes before the people in Jerusalem it with the understanding that what he was preaching was indeed the Good News. This is even in the face of what was the prevailing wind of the day which had to do with following the ways of the Jews. So, for example, something like circumcision was expected by those new to the faith...as it was among Jews. Paul leans on the notion of revelation to show that what he was about to say and do at Jerusalem and what he was about to included in this letter would be a word that was given to him. A word that would be his point of reference so as to make no dividing lines among those who follow Jesus as Lord. I intentionally left off the next verse until now because I wanted to emphasize the radical nature of Paul's visit to Jerusalem. It was a big deal to take Titus along with them. Why? Take a look at verse 3: But even Titus, who was with me, was not compelled to be circumcised, though he was a Gentile. Paul is putting into practice the immense freedom within the Good News. This was a real life sharing that wasn't simply theory. Here was a Gentile...a Gentile follower of Jesus...and yet he was not abiding by the "rule" among this early church gathering. But this word of life that comes in Jesus, will let no walls stand again. Was Paul's liberating word of God's grace in Jesus, spread in vain. Not at all as the council will rule in next week's lesson.
Connection: The life giving Good News...does it give life...or does it paint up a bunch of hoops through which we must move in order to be the followers of Jesus. Does it matter what someone is pictured to be (Gentile, harlot...whatever) when s/he has been given life through trusting that God come to bring all people back into a full relationship with God? Of course not. The gift is free for all. Is our love today as free for all as this love that can even bridge the most interalized and externalized boundaries - circumcision?!? It was alright for Titus to be there...it is alright for any of God's children to be among us.
Most Blessed God, you bring a new day before us and you invite us to share your loving Reign as we encounter the people around us and move about in your creation. May we be filled by the power of your grace so that our lives will beam with the freedom Paul proclaimed as he brought the Good News to those of his day. Amen
Then we begin for today:
Galatians 2: 1-2
Then afte fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. I went up in response to a revelation . The I laid before them (though only in a private meeting with the acknowledged leaders) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure that I was not running, or had not run, in vain.
Paul had quite a story to tell about he journey of his life. When he goes before the people in Jerusalem it with the understanding that what he was preaching was indeed the Good News. This is even in the face of what was the prevailing wind of the day which had to do with following the ways of the Jews. So, for example, something like circumcision was expected by those new to the faith...as it was among Jews. Paul leans on the notion of revelation to show that what he was about to say and do at Jerusalem and what he was about to included in this letter would be a word that was given to him. A word that would be his point of reference so as to make no dividing lines among those who follow Jesus as Lord. I intentionally left off the next verse until now because I wanted to emphasize the radical nature of Paul's visit to Jerusalem. It was a big deal to take Titus along with them. Why? Take a look at verse 3: But even Titus, who was with me, was not compelled to be circumcised, though he was a Gentile. Paul is putting into practice the immense freedom within the Good News. This was a real life sharing that wasn't simply theory. Here was a Gentile...a Gentile follower of Jesus...and yet he was not abiding by the "rule" among this early church gathering. But this word of life that comes in Jesus, will let no walls stand again. Was Paul's liberating word of God's grace in Jesus, spread in vain. Not at all as the council will rule in next week's lesson.
Connection: The life giving Good News...does it give life...or does it paint up a bunch of hoops through which we must move in order to be the followers of Jesus. Does it matter what someone is pictured to be (Gentile, harlot...whatever) when s/he has been given life through trusting that God come to bring all people back into a full relationship with God? Of course not. The gift is free for all. Is our love today as free for all as this love that can even bridge the most interalized and externalized boundaries - circumcision?!? It was alright for Titus to be there...it is alright for any of God's children to be among us.
Most Blessed God, you bring a new day before us and you invite us to share your loving Reign as we encounter the people around us and move about in your creation. May we be filled by the power of your grace so that our lives will beam with the freedom Paul proclaimed as he brought the Good News to those of his day. Amen
Wednesday, June 23, 2004
Wednesday, 23 June, 2004
Text:Galatians 1:11-12
For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
Each time I read these verses I think of Martin Luther's words as he begins his explanation of the third article of the Apostles' Creed that deal with the Holy Spirit. "I believe that by my own understanding or strength I cannot believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him." Paul's words here are the ones that back up the harsh words from v.9 (let that one be accursed) when he was talking about the "other gospel" that some are teaching (again - not that there is another gospel!). When you tie these words of Paul with words of Luther and than add the biblical words that speak of the Spirit - "blowing where it will" - who knows who will be and who is being blown away by the gospel of grace!!! In a day in the church when we are bitterly fighting over who can be a "full Member" of the body of Christ, isn't it odd that we want to dictate how the wind blows!?! I've started reading From None til Three by Robert Farrar Capon, and I already can tell he is going to help to stretch the meaning of grace so that it will challenge me to again see the root behind Paul's insistence on this Good News of God's Grace that still sets us off. If you are anything like me...and I think it is quite human...then you must know we all have limits and we want things to be somewhat conditional. We have job evaluations, we have grades in school, we have codes and expectations that must be followed...there are all sorts of ways our lives are run by conditions within our world. Not so with the Gospel...it is not of us. It is beyond our abilities to speak of it and to live as though it is our foundation. Paul is simply making that clear...right from the start. For we may never really believe what he is going to say about the Reign of God made know in Jesus.
Connection: We are a people called to be a word to the world that the world cannot hear on its own. When we are called to be a word...it means fully a word - life word...actions...speaking. Sometimes we think that must be in words alone. What if this day your trust in the Word of Grace that we find in Jesus is made known by action or even words that do not mention any kind of religious language? What if this kind of language comes after the witness of life has demonstrated the power of God's unconditional Reign.!
God of Grace, let you glory shine in our lives. Remind us that your love is radical - it is not and has never been the "way to be" in our everyday world...and yet it is the power of your blessed presence. Grant that we might walk in that presence. Amen.
For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
Each time I read these verses I think of Martin Luther's words as he begins his explanation of the third article of the Apostles' Creed that deal with the Holy Spirit. "I believe that by my own understanding or strength I cannot believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him." Paul's words here are the ones that back up the harsh words from v.9 (let that one be accursed) when he was talking about the "other gospel" that some are teaching (again - not that there is another gospel!). When you tie these words of Paul with words of Luther and than add the biblical words that speak of the Spirit - "blowing where it will" - who knows who will be and who is being blown away by the gospel of grace!!! In a day in the church when we are bitterly fighting over who can be a "full Member" of the body of Christ, isn't it odd that we want to dictate how the wind blows!?! I've started reading From None til Three by Robert Farrar Capon, and I already can tell he is going to help to stretch the meaning of grace so that it will challenge me to again see the root behind Paul's insistence on this Good News of God's Grace that still sets us off. If you are anything like me...and I think it is quite human...then you must know we all have limits and we want things to be somewhat conditional. We have job evaluations, we have grades in school, we have codes and expectations that must be followed...there are all sorts of ways our lives are run by conditions within our world. Not so with the Gospel...it is not of us. It is beyond our abilities to speak of it and to live as though it is our foundation. Paul is simply making that clear...right from the start. For we may never really believe what he is going to say about the Reign of God made know in Jesus.
Connection: We are a people called to be a word to the world that the world cannot hear on its own. When we are called to be a word...it means fully a word - life word...actions...speaking. Sometimes we think that must be in words alone. What if this day your trust in the Word of Grace that we find in Jesus is made known by action or even words that do not mention any kind of religious language? What if this kind of language comes after the witness of life has demonstrated the power of God's unconditional Reign.!
God of Grace, let you glory shine in our lives. Remind us that your love is radical - it is not and has never been the "way to be" in our everyday world...and yet it is the power of your blessed presence. Grant that we might walk in that presence. Amen.
Monday, June 21, 2004
Monday, 21 June, 2004
Text: Galatians 1:10
Am I now seeking human approval, or God's approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Paul has just showed his disappointment around the fact that some are following a "different gospel" which he says does not exist. There is one Good News! There are many things, issues, people, teachings, etc. that can sway us or move us into lives that may seem quite "good" "upright"...and the like. Then again, I keep remembering the way we look at the way set before us by our God. What are the weighter items of God's Reign? Mercy, Justice, loving kindness. In fact, in the face of all the attempts to make ourselves into some kind of "religious good person" there is the ongoing call that continues through the line of the prophets, into & through the life of Jesus, and in the early letters of Paul - it will seek a unified house...no division...the welfare of all. Paul and all the prophet, remember, were not on a journey of mere spiritual enrichment...it was enrichment only as it enriched the way we live in the world. We can make it in this world if we are able to please people...we can even make it big. On the other hand, we can have peace as we stay close to the way our God calls us - and then "making it" doesn't even become an issue. Instead, we may find ourselves concerned about the vision in which all people begin to "make it."
Connection: Driving force. If we are moved by people pleasing or pleasing our God in response to God's love, our day will unfold in front of us. What do you want to have lifted up to the world around you when it unfolds? Jesus would keep pushing for mercy...and the rest,
O God of our ancestors, you have been the rock for those in need and the guide to show them through the day's happenings. Be with us this day. Remind us of the foundation you have laid down for your people before all other builders stepped onto the scene. Amen.
Am I now seeking human approval, or God's approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Paul has just showed his disappointment around the fact that some are following a "different gospel" which he says does not exist. There is one Good News! There are many things, issues, people, teachings, etc. that can sway us or move us into lives that may seem quite "good" "upright"...and the like. Then again, I keep remembering the way we look at the way set before us by our God. What are the weighter items of God's Reign? Mercy, Justice, loving kindness. In fact, in the face of all the attempts to make ourselves into some kind of "religious good person" there is the ongoing call that continues through the line of the prophets, into & through the life of Jesus, and in the early letters of Paul - it will seek a unified house...no division...the welfare of all. Paul and all the prophet, remember, were not on a journey of mere spiritual enrichment...it was enrichment only as it enriched the way we live in the world. We can make it in this world if we are able to please people...we can even make it big. On the other hand, we can have peace as we stay close to the way our God calls us - and then "making it" doesn't even become an issue. Instead, we may find ourselves concerned about the vision in which all people begin to "make it."
Connection: Driving force. If we are moved by people pleasing or pleasing our God in response to God's love, our day will unfold in front of us. What do you want to have lifted up to the world around you when it unfolds? Jesus would keep pushing for mercy...and the rest,
O God of our ancestors, you have been the rock for those in need and the guide to show them through the day's happenings. Be with us this day. Remind us of the foundation you have laid down for your people before all other builders stepped onto the scene. Amen.
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