Being an American one of the values I hold in high regard is freedom. Last week I was in Washington DC and was able to visit the sites which celebrate the men and women who worked to bring about our national freedom, and who continue to work to preserve our national freedom. I am greatly thankful for the country I live in and the freedoms it allows me, yet it is not the end all, be all of freedom. My truest freedom is found in a Kingdom based not in this world, but one that rules eternity.
We allow so many things to steal our freedom away. Paul reminds us that freedom is the very reason Christ came, lived, died and rose. Yet we allow ourselves to get burdened by the yoke of slavery. In the United States this imagery of slavery carries a deep bitterness. Still we allow ourselves to be enslaved to things which only bring about further captivity and steal our freedom.
The products of how we live are the evidences of whether we are free or not. When we are burdened by the yoke of slavery we live according to the sinful nature as outlined in verse 19-21. When we are living in the freedom of Christ our lives are characterized by the fruit of the spirit, verses 22-26. The fruit of the spirit is not where we start, it is a result. We do not chose to do those things so that we might live by the spirit, rather our lives embody those things as we live free in the spirit.
Are you free?
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Galatians 4 -- More Than We Know
Galatians 4 continues the thoughts from 3 but puts a little different flair to it. The essence of the section is our relationship to God is closer than we might think. Additionally it is established and sustained differently than most pursue it. Some would say chasing after the law is something that was done in the past, you know in Jesus day. The reality is, we are still chasing the law, we have simply exchanged the laws we are chasing.
Part of the human condition is our propensity to codify and organize, to create boundaries and rules for ourselves and others to follow. This in and of itself is not a bad thing. Trouble enters the picture when we begin to hold up this order and rules as the primary, and push God to the margins. Many titles have been given to this process, some call it legalism, others call it orthodoxy. The reality is when the rules and organization become more important than God it is simply one thing, sin.
Since the incarnation in Jesus, God has removed the rigidness of the rules and we no longer live bound to the law. This does not mean however, that we are boundless and free to do whatever we want. We live under grace, which means we have the freedom to follow Christ will all our being. We have the freedom to live like and for the Kingdom of God. We so not have to live like the rest of creation, rather to work on living like creation was intended.
This is what Paul is reminding the church in Galatia, as well as you and I. We are not children of slavery, we are children of the promise when we place our life in trust to Jesus Christ.
Part of the human condition is our propensity to codify and organize, to create boundaries and rules for ourselves and others to follow. This in and of itself is not a bad thing. Trouble enters the picture when we begin to hold up this order and rules as the primary, and push God to the margins. Many titles have been given to this process, some call it legalism, others call it orthodoxy. The reality is when the rules and organization become more important than God it is simply one thing, sin.
Since the incarnation in Jesus, God has removed the rigidness of the rules and we no longer live bound to the law. This does not mean however, that we are boundless and free to do whatever we want. We live under grace, which means we have the freedom to follow Christ will all our being. We have the freedom to live like and for the Kingdom of God. We so not have to live like the rest of creation, rather to work on living like creation was intended.
This is what Paul is reminding the church in Galatia, as well as you and I. We are not children of slavery, we are children of the promise when we place our life in trust to Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Galatians 3 -- Human Effort
The beginning of chapter three brings with it one of the most harsh criticisms of the Scriptures. "Oh you foolish Galatians...", In our day and age to be called a fool is not something to be cherished, yet in Paul's day calling someone a fool was pretty high on the list of insults. Remembering in the Proverbs the opposite of wisdom was to be a fool. What has Paul so worked up? The church in Galatia had reverted to human effort in their journey more than the grace and righteousness offered through Christ.
It appears the Galatian church had returned to the law as the mode of salvation not the grace of Christ. More than the grace of God, the people were using their own effort to to gain a right relationship with God. Paul is clear the law has its place and there is an effort which must be made by humans, still this is not where our righteousness is found. It all comes back to the work of Christ on the cross and the Christless tomb.
In our day and age one of the greatest challenges we have is our own ability. We are very capable people and technology has allowed to extend that capability further than ever before. The danger is we will begin to thing we know better than God. Our even worse we will begin to thing we do not need God for wholeness. Basically, we can begin to live our lives for ourselves by our own human effort. Ultimately this will increase the distance between us and God. When we realize our need for God, and our dependency on the grace of God, we being to draw near to God. As we draw near to God we experience the wholeness that comes only from the grace infused relationship with God. Our only effort is a willingness to submit to the will and work of God, from there all human effort will fall short.
It appears the Galatian church had returned to the law as the mode of salvation not the grace of Christ. More than the grace of God, the people were using their own effort to to gain a right relationship with God. Paul is clear the law has its place and there is an effort which must be made by humans, still this is not where our righteousness is found. It all comes back to the work of Christ on the cross and the Christless tomb.
In our day and age one of the greatest challenges we have is our own ability. We are very capable people and technology has allowed to extend that capability further than ever before. The danger is we will begin to thing we know better than God. Our even worse we will begin to thing we do not need God for wholeness. Basically, we can begin to live our lives for ourselves by our own human effort. Ultimately this will increase the distance between us and God. When we realize our need for God, and our dependency on the grace of God, we being to draw near to God. As we draw near to God we experience the wholeness that comes only from the grace infused relationship with God. Our only effort is a willingness to submit to the will and work of God, from there all human effort will fall short.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Galatians 2 -- To Be Crucified
Contained in what we call Galatians 2 are found some of the more famous words of Paul, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me, The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me." v .20. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard that said to me, or sung in a song. But what does it mean to be crucified with Christ?
If we are crucified we are dead. No longer do we live. The greatest struggle of my live is there is too much of me living my life. When we are crucified with Christ, our identity is not longer with ourselves, rather it is found in Christ alone. It means our desires, hopes and dreams do not matter. Only the desires, hopes and dreams given to us by God through Christ matter.
When we live apart from our crucifixion, we make Christ out to be a liar and his sacrifice to be in vain. If we can gain righteousness on our own, then we do not need Christ. To be crucified means that we recognize it is Christ and Christ alone who brings life, and that our only life is found in him.
If we are crucified we are dead. No longer do we live. The greatest struggle of my live is there is too much of me living my life. When we are crucified with Christ, our identity is not longer with ourselves, rather it is found in Christ alone. It means our desires, hopes and dreams do not matter. Only the desires, hopes and dreams given to us by God through Christ matter.
When we live apart from our crucifixion, we make Christ out to be a liar and his sacrifice to be in vain. If we can gain righteousness on our own, then we do not need Christ. To be crucified means that we recognize it is Christ and Christ alone who brings life, and that our only life is found in him.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Galatians 1 -- God or Man
As we open the letter to the church in Galatia we find Paul writing a very stern and convicting letter. The church has been struggling to keep focused on the Gospel and Paul is writing to them in order to call them back to Truth. In this opening chapter the stage is being set for the rest of the letter. Paul is not happy and after reading the letter the church in Galatia will not be happy. Right up front Paul is letting them know they will not be pleased with him, but that is okay because he works to please God, not humans.
This is a real powerful statement, as well as being very convicting. Most of us live to please people more than we realize. None of us like to have people upset with us, so we often do things to keep them happy. The struggle with this, and there are many, is who we are suppose to be concerned with pleasing. It is not humanity which brings about our right relationship with God. It is not another human being whom we will sit before at the end of times to face judgment. No we will sit before the God Almighty.
People pleasing is a no win game. First, it is impossible to please everyone. Second, you cannot please the same people all the time. The most significant reason is where our focus belongs. We are to please God more than people. This will mean friction and unhappy people. Paul comes short of saying I don't really care is people are unhappy as long as God is pleased with the effort. Once again we lose sight of who the church is about, people or God.
This is a real powerful statement, as well as being very convicting. Most of us live to please people more than we realize. None of us like to have people upset with us, so we often do things to keep them happy. The struggle with this, and there are many, is who we are suppose to be concerned with pleasing. It is not humanity which brings about our right relationship with God. It is not another human being whom we will sit before at the end of times to face judgment. No we will sit before the God Almighty.
People pleasing is a no win game. First, it is impossible to please everyone. Second, you cannot please the same people all the time. The most significant reason is where our focus belongs. We are to please God more than people. This will mean friction and unhappy people. Paul comes short of saying I don't really care is people are unhappy as long as God is pleased with the effort. Once again we lose sight of who the church is about, people or God.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
2 Corinthians 13 --Wrapping it Up
Here we have the end of the record from Paul to the church in Corinth. As per usual there is the greetings to others and a few last encouragements. In those encouragements Paul says to examine ourselves. To test our lives in order to see if we are living and seeking the truth. I am amazed how easy it is to go through life and never stop to take a look at what it going on. Our propensity to live and unexamined life is staggering.
As Paul reminds us to test our faith, he also makes the assumption that we will pass the test. Yet there is still a need to take the test so we can measure our faith. When we live without testing our lives we run the risk of working against God, even when we are convinced we are working in the side of God. Testing ourselves also makes it easier to see the places where correction is needed, and possibly reduce the pain associated with the process of changing.
All of our journey is pointed at one thing, experiencing the fullness of the Kingdom of God. The way we experience that is through humble submission and examination of our journey. Then we must allow God to shine through our weakness and our strength. Ultimately, God must shine through everything we do more than we do. The examination of our lives is to ensure this is in the correct order.
As Paul reminds us to test our faith, he also makes the assumption that we will pass the test. Yet there is still a need to take the test so we can measure our faith. When we live without testing our lives we run the risk of working against God, even when we are convinced we are working in the side of God. Testing ourselves also makes it easier to see the places where correction is needed, and possibly reduce the pain associated with the process of changing.
All of our journey is pointed at one thing, experiencing the fullness of the Kingdom of God. The way we experience that is through humble submission and examination of our journey. Then we must allow God to shine through our weakness and our strength. Ultimately, God must shine through everything we do more than we do. The examination of our lives is to ensure this is in the correct order.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
2 Corinthians 12 -- The Thorn
I have to tell you I do not like this chapter of the Bible. It has nothing to do with some great theological dilemma, or even that I think Paul is wrong. The problem is that Paul is very right about something I would like to be different. There is an expectation I share with many that life should be easy, and when it is not we ask God to make it better and it happens. Big problem, that is not how it works.
We are never told what Paul's thorn is, but we know there is something which causes struggle for Paul, and he has put it before the Lord to clear things up. I would think when Paul asks God for something, the wish would be granted, much less when Paul pleads with God three times. This also makes me wonder about the statements in other places of Scripture that say we will receive what we ask for when we ask in the name of the Lord. So why didn't Paul have the thorn removed?
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (v.9) In other words, life is not going to be easy, pain free without struggle. What matters most is the work of God in our lives. I would love to have the answer be different, but it is not. We are called to faithfulness and trust, no where does this include a thorn free life.
We are never told what Paul's thorn is, but we know there is something which causes struggle for Paul, and he has put it before the Lord to clear things up. I would think when Paul asks God for something, the wish would be granted, much less when Paul pleads with God three times. This also makes me wonder about the statements in other places of Scripture that say we will receive what we ask for when we ask in the name of the Lord. So why didn't Paul have the thorn removed?
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (v.9) In other words, life is not going to be easy, pain free without struggle. What matters most is the work of God in our lives. I would love to have the answer be different, but it is not. We are called to faithfulness and trust, no where does this include a thorn free life.
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