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Pastors Musings - July 2009 |
Minister’s Musings
Paul’s letter to the Galatians is, appropriately this month, about freedom. Paul says emphatically that Christ has set us free. But free from what and free for what?
In the United States we declared our independence from Great Britain on the 4th of July. The Revolutionary War was fought so that we might free from England and for self-determination. Self-determination was not settled back then. First of all, both England and America had slaves, people who had no rights of self-determination.* There were indentured servants as well, people who traded years of their labor in order to earn their passage fare. But especially in England, there was also little social mobility. It was assumed that if you were born poor or rich, that was where God wanted you to be and you should not change your social class, your trade, or anything else. It was only in America (the Colonies) that people began to change their status in life and were accepted into a new social class.
It is good to celebrate this independence and this self-determination. America has allowed people to grow to their full potential and this ideal of liberty has inspired people all around the world.
However, this is not the kind of freedom that Paul was talking about. In the area of modern Turkey that was called Galatia at that time, people had become Christians and were joyful in their new lives as disciples. But then some other people came and told them that they had to follow Jewish dietary laws, and follow the other laws in the Old Testament as well. Paul went ballistic! He wrote, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel! You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?” (Galatians 1 & 3)
Christ frees us from obedience to the Law. Our relationship no longer depends on how well we can tow the line, but on God’s love for us as shown in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
There have been many attempts to preach “another gospel” - a way that lays down regulations and rules about Christian living. And it’s good to always ask those questions, particularly about ourselves and our lives. Is not cheating our neighbor a rule for living as a Christian? I think if we live out the love that God shows for us, then we don’t cheat other people. But often we focus on behaviors: Don’t drink, don’t smoke, don’t chew and don’t go with those who do. And then we become burdened and feel guilty and estranged from God because we can’t live up to those standards.
Christ has freed us from obedience to the Law, but Christ has also freed us for . . . . . . service! No longer is serving the neighbor a “have to” but a “get to.” And it’s even better than that. Because Jesus told us that when we serve others we are really serving him. In the flesh. (In disguise.) In one of the soup kitchens the staff begin their time together with this prayer, “Lord, help us to recognize you when you come through the line today and to serve you with love and dignity.”
And even more! Because Jesus also works through us to serve others. We become his hands and feet, his eyes and ears, his mouth and his shoulders. Jesus lives through us! His freedom becomes our freedom.
As you celebrate Independence Day (enjoying a hot dog or a cheeseburger?) this year and during the month of July, I would encourage you to think also about how you are free in Christ. Christ has freed us from sin and death and from “having” to do all the things that are laid out in the Law. And Christ has freed us to live in the circle of God’s love, to grow in God’s unlimited grace and to serve others. God invites us to be a part of God’s mission to bless and heal the world, but does not zap us if we say no. But if we are open to “getting to” be a part of this mission, we will not only bless, but be a part of the blessing in ways we cannot imagine.
In Christ,
Pastor Betty
*For a wonderful story of how England got rid of slavery, see the movie, “Amazing Grace.”
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