Devotional - May 8, 2024
Scripture: Galatians 2:15-16 “We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.
The overall gist of this text is clear. It is the basis of our Christian faith. We are all saved by God's loving grace expressed solely in Jesus Christ (John 3:16). Try as we might, we cannot save ourselves (Ephesian 2: 8-9). Yet, when you read this text, did something brush by you that didn't seem quite right. Something out of place or a little sour. Keep in mind, this is still Pauls' lecture to Peter about not sitting with the Gentiles. Paul refers to the Gentiles as the sinful Gentiles. It's not quite as bad as calling them filthy hobbits, but it's not the best reference either, especially considering the context. It makes you wonder what kind of face they made when they heard it? Is this guy for or against us? When talking about salvation we used to say, justification came in the moment we believed (Romans 5:1), sanctification is a process (1 Corinthians 6:11). It made light of the fact that, though you may have been saved in a moment, the new creation took a while to fully develop. It does and the development continues on. We are forever changing. We live one way in our childhood and teens and another as young adults in our twenties and thirties. Forty rolls around, some have married, had kids, divorced, changed jobs, moved, and the list goes on and on. And, we age, physically. And amidst all of that, we mature spiritually as we grow in Christ. Even in the moment when Paul is addressing Peter about his actions toward the new converts, the Gentiles, a little of the old Paul comes through. It does with us too. Rather than beating ourselves up for the digression, better to notice it, be aware of it, and let that bring change into our lives. If you read a little more in the letter to Ephesians, other than what I recently cited, you will see some change in Paul (Ephesians 2:10-13). Now some think Paul was trying to relate to Peter by saying it (sinful Gentiles). By doing so, he was showing that he understood Peter's actions for he too used to think that way. It's possible, we can't rule it out and it is not a bad thing to consider. Condescension will get us nowhere and it has no place in the Christian faith (Proverbs 16:18). As a Christian community we rejoice in the saving and empowering gifts we receive each day in Christ Jesus. Not to mention, there are so many proverbs across the theological and philosophical spectrum warning folks not to judge, or tell someone to change, until they know a bit about their situation and what their change entails. Paul may have been trying to relate to Peter as one who walked that road.
Pray with me..., Holy God, the grace and patience You have shown us, as we continue to change and grow over our lifetime is more than we can truly comprehend. You truly are with us and for that we are grateful. Hear us as we pray for our family members, O God. Bless them in accordance with their needs. And bless our church, so we may be the people You call us to be. In Jesus name, Amen.
God's peace,
Pastor Brian
