Reflection: "One in Christ"In the 3rd Chapter of Galatians, we encounter a dramatic shift of focus.
Up until now, Paul has been talking in the first-person plural ("we"), when describing the past experience of the Jewish people, who were, in his words, "locked up" under the Jewish laws. Now he turns to the privileged position of the Galatian Christians who are all united in Christ (you are all . . . all of you . . . you are all), Union with Christ is the main emphasis of each verse: “faith in Christ Jesus (v. 26), baptized into Christ, clothed with Christ (v. 27), one in Christ Jesus (v. 28), belonging to Christ (v. 29).” This sharp contrast between the negatives under the system of Mosaic law and the positive privileges of union with Christ, reinforces Paul's rebuke for their foolishness at the beginning of the chapter. In the old set of relationships, under the law, Jews thought of themselves as the children of God and that the Gentiles were sinners. But now Paul tells them that Gentile Christians are: “all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” This must have been a shocking declaration for a Jew to hear. In Jewish literature, “sons of God” was a title of highest honour, used only for the members of the righteous tribes. But now Gentiles - the rejected, the outsiders, the sinners, those who do not observe the law – are also called “sons of God.” How could a Gentile ever be called a child of God? Paul's answer is clear – “through faith in Christ Jesus (v. 26)” So, we now see that all who believe in Christ are equals. Did you know that until about seventy or eighty years ago, in some churches, men sat on one side and women sat on the other? Why? Perhaps this was an established rule, and no one was game to question it. It probably sounded like a good deal for men - not having to care for a pew full of active children. Mums got to do all that themselves - things were different in those days. We now understand the folly of those rules. But are there still things which divide us from other Christians? One of the deepest concerns on the heart of Jesus, on the night he instituted the Lord's Supper in the Upper Room, was the unity of his followers. In John 13:35 we read "...everyone will know that you are my disciples, If you have love for one another." Not once, but three times that evening he commanded his disciples to, "...love one another...." It’s not just that mutual love and unity in the church is a nice thing, it’s an absolutely essential thing for the witness of the church in the world. In writing to the fledgling church in Galatia, Paul declares that when we are incorporated into Christ through baptism, all distinctions between us have been removed. "There is no longer Jew or Greek," Paul says, "There is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female..." Why do you think he says that? It’s because "all of you are one in Christ Jesus!" What do you think Paul would say if he came back today and saw somewhere in the neighbourhood of 6,000 competing groups on this planet - all claiming the name of Christ? Ok - many groups work together and acknowledge each other's legitimacy as Christian churches, but the fact is that there are hundreds of groups, including "fringe groups" that claim to be the "one true church." And there are millions of individuals who feel that their church is the only "true" church. What must this be doing to the heart of Christ? As the unity of Jesus with his father was the foundation of the gospel call - so too the message of reconciliation with God rests on the unity of the Body of Christ – the church. Today’s unbelieving world has no way to see the reality of the good news if the witness of Christ’s church is buried in the rubble of division and disunity. What an awesome responsibility has been given to us as members of the church of Christ. Our unity is not for your sake, or my sake, or for the sake of a jolly fellowship, where a good time is had by all. No - our unity in Christ is a command by Christ that we must obey and a passion of Christ's that we need to embrace. It probably wouldn’t be a stretch to label this call of Christ "Mission Impossible." It seems most unlikely that the church will get to a point where it has the kind of unity that Jesus commanded and prayed about so often. History is filled with the divisions of Christianity and with the horror of persecution, burnings at the stake, hangings, executions and holy wars – and all in the name of Christ. Thanks be to God that Christianity is pretty much done with the burning and hanging of heretics (although there is still some ugly religious persecution going on in our world) - but there is a long way to go before we might see the "Oneness in Christ" that Paul wrote about. The reading from Galatians will help us to get a handle on the meaning of this "Oneness in Christ." We need to be clear that the "oneness" Paul writes about here is not a simple kind of unity where everyone cooperates and "gets along." It’s not to say that this kind of unity is a bad thing - mutual respect among people of different races, classes, cultures and religions is an absolutely admirable cause to work for. If the human race could just get together on a decision agreeing that there would never again be a "Holy War," most Christians would fall on their knees and give thanks and glory to God. But - this is not the type of unity Paul is speaking about in our reading. His words, "...for all of you are one in Christ Jesus..." are addressed to a Christian people whose church was in danger of being torn apart and Paul addresses that danger by speaking about the foundation, the reality and the future of Christian Unity. The importance of God's call to us today is highlighted in the comment that was made a few years ago by an unchurched, non-believing man. "Don't tell me I need to believe in Jesus, when all of you who claim to be Christians don't even like each other!" He had a kind of a "Who needs it?" view of church and the people who attend. After examining it in prayer, I encourage you to do what you feel in your heart is correct and hold dear what you believe God has called you to be faithful to. Celebrate the faith in whatever way brings you closer to God in our Lord Jesus Christ. Debate the important things of your faith with sisters and brothers whenever the occasion demands it. But - for God's sake - when it comes time to turn your faith and witness to the world around us, give up your prejudices and lower your barriers in order that you might proclaim to the world the fact that we are: "One in Christ Jesus!" Pastor Rick “Go into this week knowing that you have a home in God. Wherever you go, God welcomes you. Whomever you are, God calls to you. Whatever you seek, God reveals it to you. No matter your journey, in God you find a home. We are a faith-filled people and our Creator, Sustainer and Wisdom God goes with us now and always.” Amen
1 Comment
Lena Beryl Blok
18/6/2022 02:11:56 pm
Thank you Rick for another challenging and thought provoking message.
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