I would like to propose a question. Who is Paul refering to in Galatians when he says, "we"?
"But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gosple contrary to that which we preached to you, let him be accursed." (Gal 1:8)
Because it seems that we, who are drawn to the gospel of Christ and believe and receive the Spirit because of it, need to always be vigilant in determing that the gospel we receive is not perverted. We have the right and obligation to point out ways in which we are taught to turn aside from the gospel of Christ by those who are in positions of authority. If we are being troubled by the authority for living the gospel, why should we submit to any yoke other than to the yoke of Jesus Christ which we first received?
"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery." (Gal 5:1)
And what is the gospel of Christ that we first received? Wasn't it to be servants of one another in love and not to bind under the law?
"For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Gal 5:14)
When the law hinders me in loving my neighbor, I think there is a flaw in the interpretation of the law. Just like the early Christians were persecuting the Gentiles because they were not circumcised. They were letting a law get in the way of loving their neighbor. Paul even had to repremand Peter for not standing up for the Gentiles and their right to remain uncircumcised (Gal 2:11-16)
"Are you so foolish? Having begun with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh?" (Gal 3:3)
I wonder why so many Christians think it is OK to act in unloving ways to people whom they judge to be sinners when our only concern should be love.
"Owe one another nothing, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." (Rom 13:8)
And while I believe it is right to discuss what is good and what is bad, no man should be bound by another's scruples.
"For why should my liberty be determined by another man's scruples? If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?" (Gal 10:29-30)
Now I am speaking as if to adults, for all children are obligated to follow the will of their parents and not determine for themselves. But honoring parents is different when one becomes an adult. With respect you listen, but you act according to your own conscience.
". . . for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their faculties trained by practice to distinguish good from evil. Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrines of Christ and go on to maturity, not again laying the foundation from dead works and of faith toward God, with instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment." (Heb 5:14-6:1-2)
I don't know about you, but I don't feel as if I need to be breastfed anymore, yuk! I respectfully decline because I am an adult.
Yucky, Ember! That's a disturbing visual!
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Querci. I could have just said, "I don't need to be fed with milk anymore." And I don't mean there is anything yucky about breastfeading . . . a baby, only that to be an adult, but to be treated and/or acting as a baby is not right.
ReplyDeleteLove is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Cor 13:4-7)
ReplyDeleteAnd we know that we are to love EVERYONE in this way, even those who we think are wrong, mistaken or do injury to us. . . or maybe even especially those people.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Mt 5:16)
When we condemn, make fun of, or are argumentative with people, I don't think we cause them to give glory to God.
Leaven said, "As I see it, we help others rise toward the fullness of life 'through, with and in' Christ by actively striving to listen to and see the unique gift that each person is, and by supporting the ongoing becoming of that gift."
ReplyDeleteHow do we live this gospel all the time, when some people don't even love themselves???
ReplyDeleteTrying to love and support a person who doesn't love themself can drain one's energy beyond what is healthy. I like what Leaven said about striving to LISTEN TO and SEE the unique GIFT that each person IS...and to support THAT, the journey of becoming THAT gift most fully.
When I love another who does not love himself or herself, I do not think to shun this person, or fear this person, or exclude this person in any way. I do not give unsolicited advice to this person. Rather, I love and support by listening, showing compassion, showing affection, showing respect for the parts that are healthy (which remain pure faces of God), and I strive to be always an example of Love to model Love. I support the whole person without chastisement. However, very importantly, I do not refrain from putting my own needs first, from having clear honest boundaries, and giving clear honest feedback when asked. It's like in a crashing airplane...we all have to put our own oxygen mask on first, if we want to be of service to anyone else.
Well put, Halcy and Leaven.
ReplyDeleteAnd Ember, I've thought it over carefully and have decided I want to be an adult too. No more "num nums" for me.
That is a good point you bring up, Halcyon8. I think there tends to be a lot of confusion over love because of the fact that we all know that to love someone is NOT ALWAYS equal with pleasing that person. But we can be loving, nevertheless. This is why I think we have to be SUPER HONEST WITH OURSELVES AND OUR OWN INTENTIONS. For example, I can tell someone that I do not want to allow her boyfriend over at my house. Even if I have good reason to do this, I can do it in a loving way, with loving intentions, or not. I can even tell my friend that I think she is making a mistake by dating that person, and that is not being judgmental, that could just be a loving opinion. I have to determine what part of her actions relates to me and my personal freedom, and what relates only to hers. How we act in any situation is not always apparent “black and white” right or wrong. We have to determine if we are acting in a loving way, if we want to say we are following the gospel of Christ. And we do know generally what “love” looks like, for example, as stated above in 1 Cor 13 4-7. We need to always ask ourselves when dealing with difficult situations and people, not only what we should do, but are we doing it in a loving way. I need to say or do this or that because of my convictions and conscience, but was I patient, was I rude, arrogant irritable, etc.? If so, it may not be that I should have acted a different way in my convictions, but only acted differently in my attitude towards the other person.
ReplyDelete