Today’s scripture: Gal 1:1-10 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (David Zier):
We are beginning the Book of Galatians today. During the time of the writing of this letter, Paul was reaching out to gentiles, who were making up an increasing number of new Christians. At this time, the relationship between gentile Christians and Judaism was an issue, especially as it concerned the process of becoming Christian and the requirement of observing Jewish Law. Theological controversies have always been with us! Let’s begin.
Today it seems so confusing that we hear so many theological viewpoints. The two I find the most confusing is “God wants you to be rich, live in a big house, and live large” or “Tear down everyone else and elevate yourself as the pure and right Christian.” I don’t read either of these Gospels in Jesus’ words, yet in our society today there are messages out there indicating that this is what it means to be Christian.
The Jesus I read about helped lepers, helped a blind man, and said, “Whatever you do to the least, you do to me.” Jesus was with the most despised of his day, those that others wanted to be separated from. Jesus asks us to be generous and to focus on God in our lives, not on how much money we have, what kind of house we live in, or how many fancy dinners out we can have: “Do not worry about a thing, what you eat, what you wear.” Jesus was concerned about our spiritual growth, and wanted us to follow him, and become more God like: forgive others, show mercy and grace, and love well. Am I wrong? What about today?
Today, same-sex marriage is dividing people so that some can say, “My religious liberties are being trampled on because I don’t agree the Bible says that.” Some want laws that say, “I can do whatever for religious reasons because it is my belief.” Okay, then I say, “No prejudice or bigots because that was not in Jesus’ gospel, so we need to exclude those that are. That is not my religious belief.” It goes both ways, but is that what Jesus really wants from us? When does it end?
It seems as if living in a prosperous society where the social norms of the day have incorporated wall street, 401k plans, high incomes, lottery winnings, large homes, stainless steel appliances, and a Lexus in the parking lot with one of those big red bows on the top, have drawn us to a different place from where Jesus was teaching. I am not saying there is anything wrong with any of these things individually. But what we have, what we want, what drives us, where we live, and how we view ourselves more as “individuals” instead of part of a “community” has taken us somewhere else. We incorporate these things from our society into the message, just as for newer Christians at the beginning. Am I taking this too far? What Gospel am I truly living in, and according to whom?
Thought for the day: What does the Gospel of Jesus Christ say to me?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.