This letter is Paul’s attempt to stand against the false teachers of Galatia who were saying a gentile had to become Jewish in order to be a Christian. If that was the case then the promise given to Abraham for all nations would not have meant all nations. It would have been nonsense for how can all nations move to become the nation of Israel. God’s plan was for every nation of the world to have the same blessing as Abraham. This is not referring to his wealth for Abraham was indeed wealthy. But it was his right standing before God. This is what Paul was referring to. This is the blessing and it is for everyone, of every tribe, language, culture and every nation without having to adopt practices of other nations.
“Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9 So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.” (Galatians 3 v 8-9)
Paul is saying there are no limits and we should not put limits on anyone because even before the Law Abraham, the father of faith’ understood the gospel.
The people so culturally different to us are family, heirs, full members of the kingdom of God and Paul insists they be treated as such. Paul was insisting that the Jews could fellowship with the Gentiles, they could eat with them and importantly they must not compel them to do anything for God to accept them. They are accepted and they are blessed.
Over these last several days there has been fear on our streets and many of us are praying for peace. Riots are happening in cities and towns and many from other nations of the world who have come here for safety are fearing for their lives. They are hated by angry racist mobs who despise their presence and who violently demonstrate their non-acceptance in what were peaceful communities.
Why am I thinking of this hatred within this devotion this morning? For one thing it is constantly in our minds but the other is that the anger on the streets is the deep end of the swimming pool but I am seeing anger in the church also and though this may be the shallow end it is having the same impact of destruction. The problem the Apostle Paul addresses 2,000 years ago hasn’t gone away. It may not be about circumcision but it is about culture, it is about character and the chemistry of personalities. It is about acceptance.
The hater believes they have good reason to do so even though there may be none. The hater hates because others do not fit into their world. The hater is ignorant and unenlightened. The hater is a seeker of justice though they are guilty themselves. The hater focuses on what others do but it is who they are that they really hate even if they won’t say it. Hatred is on our streets right now but it is in our churches, it is in our pews and pulpits alike. The followers of Jesus will deny they hate but their words are as violent, plotting downfalls is as violent and destructive gossip is as violent. Paul’s problem is still here. “I will not accept you unless you do this. I declare you will not be blessed unless you fall into line.” Thankfully there are many churches who are places of acceptance! Paul believed the promise given to Abraham was for Jew and Gentile and wrote this, ““Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you.” Romans 15:7
I stood before the congregation as I do most Sundays. Before me were people of different ages; different careers present and past; different scales of wealth; different nationalities, skin colour, gender, and even sexual identity. A young lady not used to public speaking came to the front to bring a presentation promoting an organisation. She was very nervous but despite the obvious struggle of a nervous stammer did very well and received an applause as she went back to her seat with people nearby saying, ‘well done’ with nods of encouragement. The Pastor came to the pulpit and called for the people to give to a local youth mission, ‘even though we may not benefit from this mission ourselves’. This church doesn’t have lots of youth but the ones they do have are catered for very well. This Church has a rich diversity of people, you wouldn’t necessarily arrange for this particular group of people to do life together because their difference is seen in a variety of ways. However, they all had been praising God using the same songs; they all would share the same refreshments after the service; they all shared the same Pastor and Eldership team who served them keeping this church in alignment with the Word and Spirit as much as they could. But they all were different. Some old in the faith but very young in spirit; some young in the faith but brow-beaten by life’s difficulties.
It wasn’t without tensions. It wasn’t perfect but it was a safe place.
During an appeal for anyone to come forward for prayer a man who had come to church for the first time that morning walked to the front. He committed his life to Jesus and everyone whooped and applauded bringing more praise to God.
As the man went back to his seat I said to him publicly these words: “Welcome to this Church. This is a safe place for you. You will grow as a disciple of Christ in this community.” Why was I so sure?
I was in a Church that understood the words of Paul and the promise of Abraham that all nations will be blessed. No matter who you are, the promise of blessing is for everyone and churches are places of acceptance. The streets may be places of hatred right now but there are many places of refuge. Let’s do all that we can today to not be people who divide but who are people of blessing and let us start with people who are different to us.
Missions Paul 