Christ at the Center of Compassion

Galatians 6:7-10

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If there is one truth of scripture anyone, believer or not, can affirm, it is this: What one sows, one reaps; what you plant - you harvest; causes have effects,  actions have consequences.  Yet, as strongly as we hold this to be true; and as much as we teach this to our children; there remains within each of us a secret hope that though everyone else may get what they deserve; some how, some way; I’ll get by -  no matter what I’ve done or haven’t done. Though I scatter dandelion seeds throughout my life; everything will still come up roses.  To that way of thinking Paul says, “God will not be mocked, for whatever a man sows, he will reap.” (Galatians 6:7)

Today’s passage is about spiritual agriculture.  The Apostle Paul lays out the laws of the Harvest.  His motive is one of pure encouragement, so that we will “not grow weary in well-doing.” (Galatians 6:9)   Seed-time and harvest is the cycle of our lives.  Before we learn to plant we need to learn to pray.  So, let’s do that right now:

Lord of the Harvest: We confess that we have grown weary in well doing.  The problems are too great; our ability to respond too feeble.  Generosity has been misused; kindness has been taken for granted.  So we face the temptation to give in and give up; and so do nothing more than to feather our own nest.

Yet, you continue to invest yourself in us.  You have sent your son Jesus Christ; you continue to pour out your Spirit upon our world; out of your love you continue to give - and you call on us to do the same - to love and to give.  Teach us Lord to love more deeply that we might plant seeds with our lives; so one day rejoice as we count the harvest.  This we pray through Jesus name.  Amen.

If I told you that the best way to lose weight is to eat two Big Macs a day and wash them down with a double fudge chocolate milk shake; you’d think that wishful thinking.  If I told you that the best way to enjoy good health is to smoke three packs a day; you’d think me naive.  If I told you that the road to financial security is found my maxing out your credit cards and never saving a dime; you’d think me foolish.  If I told you the best way to make friends is to stay locked up in your home; you’d tell me I am not realistic.  Why?  Because you know, we all know, for the most part, “life is what you make of it.”  We don’t lose weight by binging on fast food; we don’t avoid addictions by indulging them; we don’t

accrue wealth by spending it; and hermits don’t make friends.  What we do determines who we become.  The outcome of our lives is the natural result of we put into our lives.

We all hold this truth to be self-evident in every area of our lives, so we strive for a good education, look for a good job, work hard so that we can make something of ourselves.  We teach our children to do the same, to  work hard, do their best; and we promise them they will enjoy the reward that follows.  Even though, we as adults, know it doesn’t always work out that way - the righteous don’t always prosper, nor are the evil always punished; “it does rain on the just and the unjust”. (Matthew 5:45)

For the most part, though, we do have the conviction that you reap what you sow in nearly every area of our lives except that which is most important; and that is our relationship with God.  Somehow, when it comes to God, we all become a bit lazy.   We count on the indulgence of God as a jolly grandfather, who is content to bounce us on his knee; but has no real expectations other than that.  So we believe, we can misbehave; doing things we’d never do at home; but knowing that we’re at Grandpa’s house now - so the rules have loosened up.  Grandpas will put up with anything.

As Paul concludes his letter to the Churches in the region of Galatia; he surfaces this long common attitude for the purpose of burying it once and for all.  He warns,  “God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.  For he who sows to his own flesh will from flesh reap corruption; but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:7-8)

In other words the spiritual life operates on some of the same principles as those which govern the world in which we live.  That is - actions have consequences.  The difference though between the economy of the world and that of the Kingdom of God is determined by which field you choose to plant.  Where are you going to spend all of your time, effort, energy, commitment, thought?

There are two fields to choose from.  Paul calls them “flesh” and “spirit”.  In the fifth chapter he described in graphic detail what these two look like.  The “flesh” is characterized by “immorality, impurity, idolatry, jealousy, anger, selfishness and the like.” (Galatians 5:19) It is primarily concerned with self - my needs, my wants, my desires; and less concerned with others. The “Spirit” on the other hand is known by its concern for others - “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

We plant the seeds that bear such fruit as we pray, worship, study God’s Word; and live according to His Will.

Paul says there are natural consequences which follow the choices we make.  Choose to plant in the field of flesh he says, and you will harvest corruption.  Choose to invest yourself in the field of the “spirit” and you will receive eternal life.  And eternal life is more than just an endless calendar; it is the pure joy that comes from “knowing the true God”. (John 17:3)

The Bible is full of stories which illustrate how true is this principle of harvesting what you plant. Today I don’t even need to go there; because you know it’s true.  You’ve seen it in others; and maybe in your most honest moments - you’ve seen it in yourself.   You’ve seen people sow the seeds of the flesh and reap corruption.

 In his letter to the Church in Corinth, Paul described the consequence,

“If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw,  his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light.  It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work.” (1 Corinthians 3:12-13) The fire is God’s judgment; and God will not be mocked.

The quality of your life, the purity of your soul is determined by your focus - on the flesh or on the Spirit?  Now, I can see some are pulling at their collars; because such determinism seems rigid.  It’s like that old Peanuts cartoon.

Charlie Brown was walking with Lucy and Snoopy.  In the first frame Lucy is in one of her philosophical moods.  She says, “Sooner or later, Charlie Brown, there’s one thing you’re going to have to learn...”  Then in the next frame, “you reap what you sow! You get out of life exactly what you put into it!  No more and no less!”  The final frame shows Snoopy thinking about what Lucy just said.  A bit forlorn, he thinks, “I’d kind of like to see a little more margin for error!

So, would we all!  Except for the grace of God, there is no margin for error.  Life is exactly what you make of it. If not for Jesus Christ we would all “fall short of the glory of God”. (Romans 3:23)  But, God’s grace does allow for our margin of error; and “love does cover a multitude of sins”. (1 Peter 4:8)  But, we must take care that we do not presume upon that grace; take it lightly or take it for granted.  If we do; we become window shoppers, who walk quickly past the store front window on Sunday morning, glance at God and comment to ourselves, “Well, isn’t that nice” ;and then we move on to see what’s in the next window.  Then we miss what’s really on the inside.  God’s grace is something you have to put on.  You have to walk around in it.  You’ll find so satisfaction, no inner peace, no strength of spirit if God’s grace is just a bauble you glance at in passing. 

The New Testament concept of “Putting on Christ” (Galatians 3:27, Romans 13:14) is essential if we are to avoid “growing weary in well doing - to avoid losing heart”. (Galatians 6:9) Running out of gas is easy for people who are on the run.  And nobody is on the run more than the average member of this Church.

We all feel the tug and pull on our calendars and our checkbooks.  Maybe we’ve given our “all” on some long ago project; something we really put out for something believed in;  but the results were disappointing and the problems still persistent.  We gave money to the poor; but people are still poor.  We fed the hungry; but people are still hungry.  And on and on it goes.

So, we face the temptation to give in and give up; to throw our hands in the air and cry out “the problems are too many and the needs too great!”  Sociologist have even developed a label for such a feeling.  They call it “compassion fatigue”.  Ironically, the only people who really seem to suffer from this are those who really feel the suffering of other people.  Those who don’t care never weary of caring, because they never begin. 

Often, it is people from the pews who grow discouraged because they have planted; but have yet to see a harvest.  Maybe this is you.  If it is, remember this verse.  God does promise a harvest.  Seeds of love and sacrifice will bear fruit.  We may not see it right away. We may not even see it in this life time.  But, God promises there will be a harvest.

I learned that early on in my ministry, when I served as a student intern and Youth Director at the Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh.  Although this was a well off congregation with many member occupying the highest rungs of the social-economic latter, the surrounding community was largely blue collar.  Many of the kids who came to the Youth Group meetings were the neighborhood, but not the church.  Some of them were pretty challenging and one of them impossible.  His name was Kirk. He always wore torn blue jeans and ragged t-shirts and hair that was long and scraggly.  Every Wednesday night he came for the food and the games, but was never much interested in my Bible Studies.  He was always bored and often disruptive, but I plugged away week after week and never thought I made a dent.

I graduated Seminary and was called to a couple of churches in the area.  About 8 or 10 years later I went back to Shadyside for some kind of conference and when I went to the registration table and gave my name, a good looking young man behind the table looked up and said, “Pastor Greg do you remember me?”  I didn’t have a clue.  He said, “I’m Kirk.  I used to go to your Youth Group.”  Then he told me he had accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior, joined the church and was now serving as a Deacon.

Now, I would never had known that if not for this coincidence of him working the table and me coming to the conference.  How many others may be out there?  I don’t know.  But, God does.  I remember that when I grow weary in well doing.

One day Jesus went out preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity.  When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few, pray therefore to send out laborers into his harvest.”  (Matthew 9:35-38) 

Did you catch his solution to “compassion fatigue”?  What was his response to the great need that he saw? He cites a two-fold solution to the problem.  First, it begins with prayer.  “Pray therefore to the Lord of the Harvest”.  When you feel that hardness of the heart which tightens each time your generosity has been misused; when you feel the fatigue that wears out your soul each time you hear of another problem that demands your attention; when you want to just toss your hands in the air and mutter “let someone else do it” - stop and pray.

Prayer will be the conduit through which the power of God flows.  Cut yourself off from that and you will grow weary in well doing.  Create time to pray and you will experience a renewed energy.

Second, Jesus says, “Pray for more laborers”.   Many hands make light work.  The oft quoted statistic in the Church is that 20% of the people do 80% of the work.  I’ve never figured the statistics out at Eastminster, so I don’t know how well we’d measure up.  Even so, how much more could be accomplished if each of us took “the opportunity to do good”. (Galatians 6:10)

And opportunities are everywhere.  Vacation Bible School is coming up and we’re going to need some help there.  Sunday School will soon follow. In the fall we are going to need help in the nursery.  The Mission Committee does important work and could use some help as well.

Sometimes I hear people say, “I’ve done my time teaching Sunday School or helping in the nursery”.  Now, the only other people I ever hear talk about doing their time are those in prison.  They talk about doing their time and getting out, but that should not be the attitude of a disciple of Jesus Christ.  We should not equate helping to care for our children and teaching them the good news of Jesus Christ with jail.  We should see it as planting seeds for their future.  We may not always see the results of our efforts, but God does and the Lord will remember what we have done in this place and with our children.

If you have grown weary in well-doing, and have said to yourself, I’ve done my time, let someone else do it, pray to the Lord of the Harvest that he will send laborers into the field and pray that you will be one of them. 

Remember, God has been gracious; and so those who follow ought to be gracious as well. You see, disciples of Jesus always keep their eyes upon the future, “keeping their eyes fixed upon Jesus”. (Hebrews 12:2)  If there is one thing the empty tomb of Easter proves - it is that there is always a future.  Together, as God’s children; let us work to make that future better for our children and children yet to be.  So, continue to sow and plant your seeds of hope as you see the opportunity.

Let us pray:

Divine Sower, plant us deep into the furrows of your love.  Let us know the depths of your compassion, the warmth of your care, and the waters of your blessing. Let our worship breath through the crustiness of tradition, and sprout in wonder and praise.  Amen.

Christ at the Center of Law and Grace

Psalm 119:97-105

Galatians 3:21-29

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When I was growing up life seemed to be governed by a lot of rules.  “Look both ways before you cross the street”.  “Wash your hands before supper”.  “Don’t hit your sister”.  Often I would not understand the reason for these laws and would demand an explanation. “Why can’t I hit my sister? She yelled at me.”  Sometimes my parents would try to explain why, but sometimes after my 3 or 4 or 5 year old mind failed to grasp the reasons they told me, “Don’t hit your sister because I said so, and if you do it again then you are going to get a spanking or sent to your room or some other punishment they thought appropriate.”  Needless to say I preferred the freedom of childhood to do whatever I wanted without restrictions.

They were right of course and I know it was their hope that when I grew up I would look both ways before crossing the street and wash my hands before supper and not hit my sister not because I would be afraid they might send me to my room without supper but because it is the right thing to do.

There is a difference between doing the right thing because it is the right thing and doing the right thing because you afraid of being arrested, or ridiculed, or judged for doing the wrong thing.  The first is based on love and the second determined by fear.

The Bible tells us, “God is love.  There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”[1]

That’s where today’s scripture is going.  Before we begin this journey let us pray:

Let us pray:

            God of history; we come to you as a people troubled and divided; weary from endless debates on politic and power.  Scandal saps the spirit; and we nearly surrender to a jaded cynicism which drive us away from our responsibility to country and community.

            Help us Lord to listen closely, think clearly, speak fairly, respond lovingly.  Grant that we might have the courage of our convictions; but that our convictions be always clothed in compassion. Bring us to Christ, our Prince of Peace; (Isaiah 9:6) so that we might live as people of peace.  In his name we pray.  Amen. 

           

            Some say “rules are made to be broken”; and others respond “without law there can be no order”.  Without law we descend into anarchy; “where everyone does that which is right in his own eyes”; where larger community concerns are subsumed under the desires of an individual. (Judges 17:6)  So, when Paul writes “all who rely on works of the law are under a curse” (Galatians 3:10); those believers who had grown up memorizing the Ten Commandments worry that Paul may tear them down off their court-house walls, and throw them in the trash.  They wonder what shall be left to control the whims and desires of the “flesh”.  What will keep people from lying and cheating and stealing and killing?

            They don’t, for a moment, believe that deep down we are all really good people; and that everyone really wants to do the right thing all the time. They don’t believe that if we somehow finally create a utopian society where every need for food and shelter and employment is provided, people will finally stop hurting each other.

Sin for them, is a more profound reality which permeates every fabric of their lives. People are going to do bad things for all sorts of reasons. They saw it on the front pages of their newspapers, and in the actions of their neighbors, and in their most honest moments - in themselves.  Sin they believed requires restraint - and that is the purpose of the Law and commandments. 

It’s why we have laws and police officers and a justice system to enforce them. It is why we have armies to protect when others threaten us for no other reason that our religion and values are different from theirs.  It’s why we have borders and fences. It’s why we have the NSA and CIA and FBI. All of these things may restrict freedom, but they promise or at least work for safety and security.  Ever since 9/11 our leadership has been trying to find a balance between liberty and security.

             Further, Paul’s opponents don’t even believe we would know what the right thing is without the Law. Children are not born with an instinctive moral code hardwired in their brains.  They have to be taught by their parents and their teachers and their country and most especially by their God.  The Law is a teacher. It defines for us right and wrong, good and evil. Some people say we should not try to legislate morality, but every law ever written is an attempt to define the difference between right and wrong, good and evil, moral and immoral.  Every law ever codified is an expression and expectation of what behavior is acceptable and what is not. 

Sometimes we change these laws because what we once thought to be wrong we now see as being alright.  The people of Colorado for example have determined that using marijuana is now O.K. A judge in Pennsylvania and in many other states have decided that same-sex marriage is now legal.  Legislatures and courts are constantly tinkering with the law because values and beliefs change.  We’re still trying to get it right.

The people to whom Paul was writing believed that the Law is a teacher; and this teaching, came from God; and was delivered to Moses on Mt. Sinai. (Exodus 20) They believed this law is eternal and unchanging and that God does not change his mind.  God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. They did not believe we as frail, flawed, and faltering creatures have the right to change or alter God’s law.  They did not believe we can pick and choose which ones to follow and which are negotiable.  Their view is reflected in our Old Testament passage:

Oh, how I love thy law!

                        It is my meditation all the day.

            I have more understanding...

                        I hold back my feet from every evil way,

            in order to keep thy word.

                        Through thy precepts I get understanding;

            therefore I hate every false way.

Psalm 119:97, 99,101-104

            That’s why Paul’s apparent disregard of the Law of Moses was to their way of thinking a heretical act which denied that which God has given.  Without the Law, they believed we would have no understanding of what is good or what is evil, nor would we have any inclination to do the good and avoid the evil. They believed that Paul was not only throwing out the 10 commandments, but the whole Old Testament as well.  They believed without the law there would be no order and everything we descend into anarchy and chaos.

            So, Paul responds in a sense by agreeing with those who stand against him.  He wrote:

Now before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed.  So that the law was our custodian until Christ came...”

Galatians 3:23

            He says in effect, “You’re right, the law does restrain our base instincts, and it does instruct us in paths of righteousness.”  It is the way in which orderly societies are structured. Paul’s problem with this view is that he believed the rules were un-equally enforced.  He saw the application of the law favor some people and work against others. They may have had many laws but they often had no justice.

In a way our text for this morning reflects the tension which tugs at the heart-strings of our nation today.  It is echoes the argument between “grace” and “law”; between “truth” “consequences” It contrasts the value of “forgive and forget”, “live and let live” with the justice concepts of accountability of “crime and punishment.”

            Our current national political debates often focus on this question of whether the “rules” are being fairly and equally applied regardless of status or position.  People on both sides are making the argument that they are not.  One side believes the President is getting away with something because of his position; and the other believes that he is being singled out because of his position.

            This is the problem with life entirely confined by the rules.  Justice as an over-all concept is easy - we all think we know what it means.  We all believe in truth, justice, and the American way; but justice in a particular application is hard; because there are so many variables to consider; so that’s where we disagree. Justice, as applied in a specific application can be a hit or miss proposition depending on your perspective.  Ask any of the lawyer or judge and they’ll tell you this is so.

            This is the point Paul makes.  To think we are even capable of living solely by the Law is an illusion.   He writes “there is no one who is righteous”, and “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:10, 3:23)  If we were all treated justly by God according to the Law, according to the rules; we would all stand condemned; not one of us has lived a perfect life.

            “Sometimes people say I just want to get what I deserve, I only want to get what’s mine”, but if a video recording of the worst moments in your life were to be played for all the world to see you might change your demand for justice to a plea for grace.  Could any one of us endure such a broadcast without blushing?  Some of you might be more embarrassed than others; but all of us would want to edit that out and remove that unthinking moment when we acted as if we thought no else would see; would ever know. If we could we also would make embarrassing e-mails disappear.  But, those secret tapes can come back to haunt you; and even the Bible says there will come a day when the book will be opened up on you to reveal what you’ve done or haven’t done. (Revelation 20:12)

            Fortunately, Paul wrote:

Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God.

Galatians 3:25

            Our motivation for doing the right thing changes.  It is no longer driven by fear.  Righteousness is not our way of maintaining our reputation, or staying out of jail; or for fleeing the wrath of God. We don’t do the right things and avoid the wrong just to stay out of court or to stay in God’s good graces.   The motivation of faith is now one which only seeks to please Christ.  It is not a response of fear for Jesus said, “God sent the Son into the world not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:17) Christ is loose in our world and his mission is salvation. So, righteousness now becomes a response of love and gratitude for what Jesus has done, and is doing.

            Children of God may “fear” God in the sense that they look at God with awe and respect; but they also love God because “God first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) This is the message we can bring to a country and a church that is torn apart by division and strife.

            How we as believers now live is not determined by rules and regulations; but by the example shown to us through the life of Jesus Christ.  That is what Paul means when he says, in Baptism “we put on Christ” - almost like a new suit. It is our way of dressing for success.  Clothes may not make the man but they can influence the way we act.  That’s why you will sometimes see a sign in front of a restaurant on the boardwalk at the beach:

No shirt,

No shoes,

No service.

            A friend of mine describe Putting on Christ this way:

The follower of Christ always holds conviction with compassion, because that is what Jesus did.  All conviction without compassion quickly reduces to the harsh judgmental posture of the Pharisees.  All compassion without conviction reduces to petty sentimentality.  To the woman caught in adultery Jesus said, “I do not condemn you. [Compassion], and then he said, Go and sin no more. [Conviction] (ibid) (John 8:11)

            How our country and our church resolves this balance of compassion and conviction is really in God’s hands and remains to be seen.  Fortunately, we have democratic and representative process which will use public forums to openly debate and eventually resolve this question.  We need to keep in prayer those elected leaders whose responsibility it is to resolves these issue.  We need to pray for them because this is a great burden of historical proportions.

            As important as this question is; even more significant will be the measure of honor and respect and restraint which we ourselves bring to this dialog.

            The Apostle Paul, after pointing out how we all stand before God guilty of breaking His Law, offers God’s redemption which comes not by “our own doing, but is a gift of God”. (Ephesians 2:8)

Therefore, he wrote:

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:28

            Had Paul been aware, he may have included “there is neither Democrat nor Republican”, there is neither fundamentalist nor modernist, neither conservative nor liberal, neither evangelical nor progressive. We are one in Christ Jesus. 

            The choices are before us. We can be judgmental.  We can be sentimental.  We can settle for sound-bite theology; or surrender to jaded cynicism.

             Better still, we remember that we are one in Christ Jesus.  Better still, we respond with conviction and compassion.  Better still, we remember, our mission is to help people believe that a risen Savior is loose in this world, and he alone will get us through this mess, whatever happens.”

            Lord, we see the difficulties.  Open our eyes to new possibilities for a world which needs a risen Savior.  Amen

---

[1] 1 John 4:8

Christ and Conflict

Acts 10:9-13

Galatians 2:11-16

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            No one comes to Church looking for a fight; or at least they shouldn’t.  We find enough conflict brewing about the office coffee pot, some encounter enough trouble sitting around strained and silent dinner tables; even a cursory glance at the daily newspaper can weary the soul as we wonder, “will the fighting ever cease?”.  So, we come to this room we call a “sanctuary” looking for just that - sanctuary.  Church is the place we come to find peace.  Peace of mind; peace with God - Peace!

            It is for this reason Church fights carry more strain and stress than your garden variety office brouhaha.  For we bring the deepest part of ourselves to God; and when those beliefs, ideals and values are challenged; battles can quickly escalate.  Iraq and Afghanistan all attest to the power of Jihad - of Holy War.  And any number of ordinary congregations bear the scars of battles fought over theology, morality, politics, and even what color the carpet should be.

            In the second Chapter of Paul’s letter to the Churches of Galatia he describes a conflict between the two great lions of the early Church;  Peter, the “rock” on whom Jesus promised to build his Church, (Matthew 16:18); and Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles.  There were not two personalities which loomed larger in this fledgling Church than these; and when they butted heads, the walls shook and people cowered; and I’m sure some looked for the door because no one likes to see Mom and Dad fight.

            But, sometimes forthright words need to be spoken.  Sometimes you have to fight for the “right”.  Sometimes you need to stand against the current which you feel is pushing you out to sea of endless storms and chaotic waves.

            Our scripture this morning is about just that.  It is about a “fight” that needed to happen.  The dust has long since settled on that conflict; Peter and Paul kissed and made up and resolved their differences; but as long as people breathe they will bump into each other, so maybe we can learn something about how we can handle our critical differences by exploring theirs.  First, let us pray:

            Lord, you have been called the Prince of Peace, yet you fought for righteousness at every turn.  You did not turn a blind eye to those who were oppressed. You stood against sin and injustice even at the cost of your own life. Yet, even your enemies recognized your compassion, your understanding, your forgiveness.

            Give us courage we pray to stand for righteousness; but to never be self-righteous.  Help us to “speak the truth, but to speak the truth in love.”  And even in the midst of conflict grant us “your peace which passeth all understanding.”  Amen.

           

            A couple of weeks ago I made the observation that it is difficult for any of us to see Jesus unfiltered by our own experience, by our own culture, and even by our own bias.  We look at him through the only eyes we have.  If our eyes are western, we look at him through western eyes; if our eyes are young we look at him through young eyes.  Our own perspective will show through.  We are who we are.

            The only solution to that dilemma is honesty and openness to others.  We must be open to criticism or we close ourselves off to any self-correction.  If someone in love points out the manner in which we might be diluting the gospel by our own culture, experience or bias; we need to have open ears and open minds and even open hearts.  If someone, in grace, calls us on some action or attitude we take which is contrary to God’s Word we need to be receptive or take the risk of living in hypocrisy.

            This, of course, is much easier said than done.  None of us wants to hear the answer to the question, “Do you want to know what’s wrong with you?”  Not one of us would claim to be perfect; yet few of us are eager to hear how we might improve.  It’s just part of human nature.  Since the time of Adam and Eve, we have all been looking for “fig-leaves” to hide our sin. (Genesis 3:8)  Since the time of David, we have all concocted schemes to cover-up indiscretion. (2 Samuel 11)

              So, when someone approaches us with the expressed purpose of telling us that we are wrong; Clang - the gate slams shut, our windows shuddered and the bridge is drawn up.  Then, we rifle through our file of defensive rebuttals which usually turn the question back around, “You want to know what’s wrong with you?”  With clenched jaws or maybe even with disarming smiles beneath steel eyes we listen but do not hear.  An enemy is made that day; and enemies are made to be destroyed.  The greater your authority; the greater your ability to fight the wrong battles and get away with it.  Because you win, you assume you’re right.

            The Apostle Peter was a man of authority.  Jesus had assigned him that power one day in the region of Caesarea Philippi.  In front of the twelve he placed is hands upon Peter’s shoulders and said in effect, “when I am gone - Peter is in charge.” (Matthew 16)

            Peter was a dynamic personality and a charismatic leader, and he took that responsibility very seriously. But, if he had a fault it was in his tendency to shoot first and ask questions later.  He was in a word, “spontaneous”.  Sometimes those quick decisions quickly stirred people and lead them to follow him into the streets of Jerusalem to proclaim God’s Good News (Acts 2); but sometimes we find him not in front, but behind the crowd.

            In this story he did the later.  Their battleground is hard for us to comprehend today; but in those early days the dinner table became the symbol for all that separated and divided these new born Christians.  For some early believers had been taught from childhood  that Virginia baked ham and Oysters Rockefeller were strictly forbidden; while others had grown up on pork chops and lobster.  Jewish believers kept kosher - Gentiles did not.  Since the Gentile believers were the new kids on the block; the Jewish disciples had already filled the Session and the Board of Trustees.  They were the ones who wrote the Church by-laws and chose the new pastors.  They had staked their claim first.

            Now Peter had been one of the old crowd.  He had been raised from a kosher kitchen.  But, one day the book of Acts records,  he had a vision, and in that vision he saw a “great sheet” descending from heaven, and in that great sheet he saw all manner of animals, both those whom Jewish law considered “clean” and those whom Jewish law considered “unclean”.    And a voice said, “What God has cleansed, you must not call common.” (Acts 10:15) In other words, the new covenant established in Jesus Christ brought with it a new dietary freedom.  The Church would not be divided at the supper table.

            Peter accepted the divine authenticity of this vision.  He believed its message reflected the Will of God; but, when he gathered together with his old friends, his old habits re-emerged.  He turned up his nose at the pot luck supper dishes that these new Galatian believers brought; and hunkered down with his own pals over their specially prepared food.  It would be hard for these new-born Galatian Christians not to take this as an insult.  I think Peter knew this.  I know I learned this long ago.  If someone brings their favorite dish to a Church dinner; you eat it - and like it. Still, peer pressure is a powerful force.  It is like the current of a strong current pushing you out to sea.

            Those of us who are parents are always fret about peer pressure.  We wonder about the crowd with whom our kids hang out; because we want them to be surrounded by those who would influence them in a positive direction.   If our kids hang out with kids who seem to have a negative attitude towards life and towards our rules we become concerned. We know “peer pressure” is the name of the game in the teenage years.

            So, we tell them how important it is to choose their friends carefully.  We encourage them to stand up against the current; and to do the right thing even if you might be criticized or even if you become the butt of a joke.  We teach them to have the courage of their convictions; that they don’t have to go-along to get-along.

            And that is right!  What we mistakenly assume though, is that when they or we have breached that twenty-first birthday we automatically become immune to the power of pressure from our peers.  But, you know and I know that this is often not true; that sometimes we also go-along in order to get-along.  We remain quiet when we hear someone gossip and destroy the reputation of someone else because we don’t want to “make a scene”.  We turn a blind eye to someone who acts dishonestly at the office because we don’t want to get involved.  We let some sexist or racist remark go un-challenged, because we don’t want to be considered some “goody-two-shoes” fuddy-duddy.

            To live in our world today does require some discretion.  No individual can fight every battle, nor should you have to die on every hill.  You do have to pick and choose your battles; but many are afraid to stand for what is right for fear of the consequences they might have to pay.

            I believe Paul knew there could be consequences.  He was preparing to brace the most popular leader in the Church.  He did not know what the response might be; but, he saw the hurt Peter’s action caused.  He realized that when this most respected leader caved in to the latest public opinion polls, he was betraying his responsibility to lead, and he was causing great spiritual harm among those whom he was charged to guide.  His apparent hypocrisy which said “Do as I say and not as I do” confused those young in the faith.  Further, it served as a kind of wall separating himself from these believers in the most social and sacred of occasions.  For, then Church suppers provided not only for fellowship, but for worship as well.  The Lord’s Supper was celebrated as part of the meal itself; and Peter was letting the menu create church division.

            So, Paul stood up to Peter; toe to toe and eye to eye.  He told him that leadership required integrity.  He told him leadership demands some sense of consistency and connection between “what you say” and “what you do”.  He told him that spiritual leadership must always place the “Will of God” over the latest public opinion polls.  If a leader forgets that; if a leader just wets his index finger and holds it up in the air to see which way the wind blows; he will forever be wandering around in aimless circles leaving a trail of bewildered and confused disciples

            Paul reminds Peter of what he has known all along..  We are justified by our faith in Jesus Christ; and not by our table manners. (Galatian 2:15)

            Now, I am sure Paul received no joy from this confrontation.  He may have even been a tad nervous about criticizing the one to whom Jesus gave the “keys of the kingdom”. (Matthew 16:19) He must have certainly known that such a public disagreement between the two most notable leaders of the Church could not be good for public relations.

            Yet, he also knew and later wrote that “Christ is our peace, who has made us both one. And that Christ has broken down the dividing wall of hostility.”  How?  “By abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of two, so making peace, and that he might reconcile us both to god in one body through the cross.”  (Ephesians 2:14-15)

            Paul knew that where there is “no justice - there is no peace.”  And long as Peter treated these brand new Galatian believers with contempt; there could be no peace.  As long as he treated them un-justly, they would remain divided.

            So, sometimes you stand against the powers-that-be because it is the right thing to do.  A small group of German Lutheran Pastors believed this and signed their own death warrant at the bottom of the Barmen Declaration which in 1934 declared that Adolph Hitler and his policies were wrong.  A small group of black pastor led by Martin Luther King believed this and stood against the fire hoses and tear gas and attack dogs to march on Selma to declare that “separate but equal” was not!  In South Africa, one man speaking from prison for decades finally broke the bars down, and over-turned apartheid, and now Nelson Mandella holds the office that once held he and his people down.

            What these men have taught us though, and what we always need to remember is that you don’t have to be disagreeable to disagree.  These heroes of great movements fought for their ideals without bomb or bayonet, without curse or epithet.   They followed the Apostle’s admonition to “speak the truth in love.” (Ephesians 4:15) Truth and love are tied together.  If you can’t do both; you shouldn’t do either.

            There is an old prayer which reads:

Lord, forgive me.

I have not always been wrong,

but I’ve often been very unpleasant about being right.

            That is a sin for which many of us stand condemned.  Reflecting upon some long ago conflict we may still see ourselves as being in the right; but we may also blush when we remember how unpleasant we were; and we may regret the casualties we left; we may stand convicted of tactics we used which treated our opponents not as a children of God, but as the Devil himself.

            The good news of the Gospel is that for believers there need not be such thing as “irreconcilable differences”.  Paul and Peter resolved this conflict.  Peter remembered his vision and recognized how old friends can rekindle old habits.

           

           

           

The Spirit’s Harvest

Galatians 5:16-25

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            A few years back I was riding the Metro subway in Washington D.C., and sat next to a family from Japan, with Nikon camera’s strapped around their necks, and a big fold-out map of the city spread across their laps. Clearly they were tourists.  Their animated conversation indicated that there was some disagreement between husband and wife as to their exact location and the approximate point of their destination; so their frustration was mounting.  I tried to intervene.  Though their English was halting and my Japanese non-existent, I was finally able to show them where we were; and what stop they should get off so that they could get to where they were going.  They were very thankful and bowed profusely for my small kindness.

            I know the feeling; for I also have been lost in strange cities; and like all men, a bit reluctant to ask for directions.  Maps are O.K.; but there is nothing that beats the guidance of someone who’s been there before. 

            Sometimes I’ve heard preachers say, in fact I’ve said it myself, that God’s Word is kind of like a map to lead us through life.  God’s commandments stand sometimes as a Stop Sign saying “don’t go this way”.  Jesus words often act a indicator that there are times when we should Yield to the needs of others.  Finally, at the end of the Gospel Jesus said, “Go, into all the world”.   You get the idea.  There is a sense in which God’s Word in black and white offers direction to help us make our way.

            But, as that Japanese couple discovered; as I’ve realized time and again, maps are O.K. but there’s nothing that beats the guidance of one who’s been there before.

            In today’s passage, Paul offers one bit of advice for anyone who’s ever gotten turned around in life - “Walk by the Spirit”.  If you’re confused and not sure what to do - “Walk by the Spirit”.  If you have flat out just gone the wrong direction; turn around and “Walk by the Spirit.”

            God sent His Spirit to serve as a guide to help us get to where we should be going; to help us live the lives we should be living;  to show us how to love the way we should be loving, and give the way we should be giving.  The questions today are these: Are we willing to trust God’s Spirit to lead us?  If we are - How are we to listen for and understand what God’s Spirit might be saying?  These are weighty questions; so before we pick them up, let us pray:

            “Spirit of the Living God, fall a-fresh on us we pray.  Spirit of the Living God, fall a-fresh on us.  Melt, mold, fill, use.   Help us to weed out the works of the flesh: Immorality, Anger, Selfishness, Strife.  Let our lives be your Harvest.  Plant within us the seeds which will one day bear fruit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control.  Spirit of the Living God, fall a-fresh on us.  Amen.”

            There is a real tension in the Gospel and in our lives that stretches us between heaven and earth; between the Spirit and the Flesh.  In fact, there rages within us all a kind of “Holy War”; a battle between the hopes of the Spirit and the desires of the flesh.  The Spirit is centered in Love; the flesh in only the fulfillment of personal desire; and these two sometimes clash and come into conflict.  Love focuses on the other; but the Biblical understanding of “Flesh” directs all your attention to yourself only; your wants, your desires.  In this battle, sometimes the flesh prevails and sometimes the Spirit revives.

            In this letter Paul outlines an ethical system for living which is not based upon the Law; but rather focuses on the Spirit.  We are to do the right things, live the right way, not because we are restrained by the restrictions of Law and Commandment; but because we wish to embrace the Spirit of Christ in our lives. Those who “Walk by the Spirit” want to do the right thing simply because it is the right thing.  The goal is that we will, eventually, almost by instinct, do what Jesus would do in any situation.

            So, Paul says simply “Walk by the Spirit.” (5:16).   Let the Spirit be your guide.  Let the Spirit show you how to live.  Now, what does he really mean by that; and how do we know if we are really walking by the Spirit of God; or whether we are really being influenced by other “spirits?”

            The Apostle John warned us, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are of God...” (1 John 4:1) And I have heard people like Jim Jones and David Koresh and other lesser known religious frauds move in all kinds of radical directions; claiming all the time that they were simply following the Spirit of God.

            Such false prophets were common in Paul’s day as well; so he goes on to describe what a life in the Spirit will look like; and in contrast, what a life dominated by the flesh will look like.

            First, he begins with the negative.  He calls them “works of the flesh”.  That is, they have nothing to do with God and everything to do with sin.  He offers a list, which at first seems random; but upon closer examination may seem to have a subtle order.  The list begins with “immorality, impurity, licentiousness.”  (5:19)

These works describe various forms of sexual sins.  To the people Paul was addressing; this negative description of sexual practice which for them seemed ordinary, would be startling and even foreign.

             The concept of sexual expression being a blessing given by God to be enjoyed in the covenant of marriage was totally alien to their culture. When Paul introduced this understanding of God’s Will to people anywhere in the Roman world; it was perceived as a radical paradigm shift, wholly different than the way they were living.

             Sexual needs were perceived to be roughly on the same level as the need for food and water; and so such needs were fulfilled with the same casual regard we would have for picking up a sandwich at lunch time.  Paul, here indicates that such a casual attitude toward sexuality is a reflection not of the Spirit, but of the flesh. So, in many ways the Roman culture of Paul’s day mimics our own. 

            Paul then moves to the works of the flesh which corrupt relationships with others.  “idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, party spirit, envy.”  He had earlier referred to the real effects on life consumed by these works.  He wrote, “if you bite and devour one another take heed that you are not consumed by one another.”  (Galatians 5:15)

             I have a suggestion. Take this verse and carve it in the stone above the Capitol building in Harrisburg or in Washington D.C. For if anyone, needs to hear the truth of this verse it is the people who have the responsibility to lead our country and state. In politics “Biting and devouring” is raised to almost an art form.  These works of the flesh consume not only those who work on the hill; but many in the offices in which you work.

     “Enmity and strife, jealousy and anger, selfishness and party spirit”, is just another day at work for many for many of you.  “Walking by the Spirit” in such an environment is difficult, at times seemingly impossible.  But, the end result of such works is that we “consume and devour” each other.  We eat our wounded and relish the taste.

            Paul then warns, “those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” (5:21) That’s a frightening verse.  In fact, over the years, I’ve had more than one person call me on the phone or visit me in my office, terrified, petrified, mortified,  that they have done one of the things on the list I just went through.  They got to verse twenty-one, and depending on the translation you use; Paul says that they are now forever excluded from the kingdom of God; no hope, “no very present help in times of trouble.” (Psalm 46)   They believe they are now lost; eternally rejected from God’s Kingdom!

            If you’re one of those people; if you’ve done something that made that list; don’t worry, don’t fret; the judgment Paul speaks of focuses not on the occasional “doing” of these things; but in the constant “practicing” of these works.  That is, Paul is really saying that if your life is directed exclusively by these fleshly pursuits; if your day is dominated by them; then you will probably be excluded from God’s kingdom - not so much because God has shut the door; but because you have never taken the time to ring the bell.  Fleshly people are bored by matters spiritual.  They give not a single moments thought to God or God’s Will throughout their day.  God is not a part of their world; so they will not be part of God’s.

             So, when someone comes to me terrified that they are now excluded I always tell them that their concern alone indicates that they are probably  not guilty of “practicing” these things, even if they have been guilty of occasionally doing these things.  Their contrition is the first step toward their redemption. Confession is the first step toward salvation. The second step is to now deliberately turn away from these things and so begin to  “Walk by the Spirit”.

            Paul then launches into another list; a counter-cultural list which he calls the “Fruit of the Spirit”.  Where the “works of the flesh” were the result of things we do; the “Fruit of the Spirit” are the result of something God does in our lives.  This Harvest begins with seeds planted within us by God.  “We love because God first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) “The joy of the Lord is our strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) “It is God’s peace which passeth all understanding.” (Philippians 4:7) So, Love, Joy, Peace are blessings that God gives.  They are the fruit of His Spirit working in our lives.

            But, this garden needs to be tended by each one of us.  So, to “Walk in the Spirit” means that we walk through our garden weeding out the works of the flesh where we see them; and nurturing the fruit when we find them.

            “Patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control”: these are matters of character.  They are attributes that we can cultivate; simply by thinking about them a little more than we do; and by acknowledging those moments when we have been impatient or unkind; or by recognizing those times when goodness and faithfulness were the last things on our minds; and in confessing that we have at times been harsh or out of control in the ways we deal with others.  These are steps we take in order to “Walk by the Spirit”. 

            God’s Spirit is not in our control. Jesus said, “The wind blows where it wills.” (John 3:8)   Yet, we can do certain things, practice certain disciplines so that the Spirit finds in us a receptive vessel.  Prayer, Worship, Bible Study, Meditation: these are simple tools; essential to our spiritual growth when used; useless when kept in a box under the workbench; or brought out only on Sunday morning.  Paul concludes, “And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (5:24)

            And so he brings us back to the Cross; because he began to understand what God had known all along.  It would take something that dramatic, that profound to shake us out of our spiritual lethargy, to wake us up from our apathetic slumber.  When the sacrifice seems to great; and the desires of the flesh too strong; Paul bids us to lift our eyes to the cross once more.  When you are ready to give in and give up Paul calls our attention to Jesus who never gave in, and who never gave up; but simply gave, his life, his blood, his spirit for us.

            So, the question for each one who would “Walk by the Spirit” - “Am I willing to crucify the desires of my flesh?  Am I willing to take hammer and nail to the pleasures of immorality, impurity, and licentiousness?  Am I willing to bring to the cross jealousy, anger, selfishness?” Or will I squirrel these away to some corner of my life where no one sees; where no one will know? Will I just try to hide them away so that I can bring them out when no one is looking?  

            Well, the Spirit knows; and Jesus told us that when his sacrifice was complete; the Holy Spirit would follow and “teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that he said. The Spirit will guide you to all truth. The Spirit will convict you of all unrighteousness.” (John 14:26, 16:8,12)

            And so the Spirit acts as the guide, as the one who is on familiar ground; who whispers “this way”; who encourages “you can do it.”

            Today, this week, next week; many of you will get in a car, a canoe, or just find a trail to explore; and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation which just explodes in shades of crimson and gold.  In your wanderings; men, if you get a bit lost or turned around; don’t hesitate for a moment to ask for directions from someone who knows.  It will do wonders for your marriage; and make the day more pleasant.

            Today, this week, next week, next year you may find yourself a bit lost or turned around; and life seems dominated by all the wrong things; don’t hesitate to ask God for help; for God knows the direction you should go.  He promised to send his Spirit to help you, comfort you, guide you, even convict you of you sin so that He might plant those seeds to bring about a rich Harvest in your life. 

            When it’s all said and done; the important things in life can’t be measured on a spread sheet or counted by trophy’s on a mantle.  The real fruit; the sweetest fruit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.  This is the Harvest the matters.