We're Better than That...There's No Doubt Whatsoever

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I want to start today’s message with a confession. For almost all of our Let’s Do Lunch segments, I use selections from the daily version of what is known as the Revised Common Lectionary. What I appreciate most about this way of sourcing lessons for this series is it keeps me from falling into a trap of going simply to what I feel, for it is human nature to default to things we know best. By incorporating the RCL, I encounter parts of the scriptures that might not otherwise be apparent to me.

However, in light of recent developments in parts of our society with respect to how people of different demographics relate to one another - not just race, but also economics, sexuality, gender, religion, and so much more - I believe it would do us good to dive into some of Paul’s words found in the letter to the Galatians. When I see Galatians pop up in my various social media feeds especially in times where there is news of heinous violence (physical or rhetorical) towards an individual or group based off a certain demographic, usually I’ll see words along the lines of “there is neither Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female” drawn from the latter parts of chapter three.

However, I think that’s the easy way out. Looked at in proper context, those sentiments from chapter three are talking about harmony within the church in light of the work Christ has done to bring them together in him. 

The truly prophetic word for the church is found in chapter four, for good men and women of the faith are challenged to look at things in a different way.

From Galatians four, verses eight and nine, as found in the Common English Bible:

At the time, when you didn’t know God, you were enslaved by things that aren’t gods by nature. But now, after knowing God (or rather, being known by God), how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless world system? Do you want to be slaves to it again?

It’s pretty simple. A lot more simple than we try to make it, honestly. Many times, when we choose to live a life devoted to and following Christ, we - quite justifiably - make a big deal about leaving the past behind and moving into a glorious future. We can ride on a pretty good high as everything seems new.

Note, though, I say everything SEEMS new. But is it, really? Those things of which we are most conscious are definitely looked at in a new way. But what about those things that are more subtle? Those things that are more ‘muscle memory’…do we attempt to look at those things in a new and different way now that our lives are cast in a new light through the grace and peace of Christ?

Paul lays it out pretty frankly and starkly here - and notice the subtle nuance he introduces into the discussion about not only knowing God but rather being known by God - for those who claim to have awoken to a new life in Christ.

Simply this - are we going to allow ourselves to turn back again to the things of this world in which one cannot find life? Are we going to be those who excuse behavior that we know is not scriptural, not of Christ? Are we going to be slaves to a bankrupt value system that feeds off divisiveness, prejudice, and bigotry? Are we doing to be those who dismiss the evils of these kinds of values by saying, “Well, that’s just the way things are - you’ve got to accept it?”

Notice the good news here. Don’t bury the lede. Yes, Paul is challenging them to rise above the evil found when one follows the ways of the world. The GOOD NEWS is we don’t have to because we are known by God. 

Yes, brothers and sisters, you are KNOWN by God. Embrace and revel in this reality, and through this reality of being KNOWN by God we can, bit by bit, see the world transformed because we are instruments of God’s peace. 

May it be so now and always.