“Most Important”

June 13, 2010
Galatians 2: 15-21; Luke 7: 36-8:3

In his letter, Paul reminds the Galatians what is most important: that one’s salvation – one’s real deliverance and freedom – comes from a faith in Jesus Christ.

We are fortunate to live where we do, in a country where we enjoy our freedom and benefit from the many rights that accompany our citizenship. When you think of the millions throughout the world who have never known such freedom, we are lucky beyond all measure. Some might even say blessed, because we have done absolutely nothing to deserve it other than being born here. It’s this country’s constitution and laws, written by its founding fathers and legislators over the years and defended by brave men and women ‘in uniform’ (and out), that have given us that freedom. Tomorrow, on Flag Day, the ‘stars and stripes’ will serve to remind us of that freedom.

Paul though talks about a different kind of freedom – coming not by birth, or works, or by anything other than a faith in God’s great mercy and love for us – revealed in Jesus the Christ. This is what justifies us all – Jew and Gentile, alike.

But what does our justification – our freedom – in Christ, mean? Paul said, “I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me.” (Galatians 2: 19-20) It’s a ‘grace thing,” Paul says, “and that’s good.” Paul refers elsewhere in his letter to being made new and becoming a new person. Using today’s words, we can hear Paul say he was being “repurposed.” God was now using the life Paul had thrown away. But Paul isn’t alone in throwing things away.

It is estimated Americans throw away twenty-one billion pounds of clothing each year. Fortunately, it does not all end up in the dump. About 10% of it winds up in resale shops such as Goodwill and Stuff Etc. and what once was called second-hand clothing is now called “vintage.” And sales are booming.

And vintage clothing isn’t all that is being ‘repurposed.’ Used tires are shredded to become playground cover and athletic tracks. And even a favorite snack has been repurposed. During the potato chip-making process, bits of the potato once discarded because of their size are turned into dehydrated potato flakes, which are formed into dough, rolled and cut into the chips, then baked, packaged and sold in a Pringles can.

God has been repurposing for years. Paul grew up believing that he would be — made right with God — by doing what was right according to the laws of the Bible. But Paul discovered God was creating a whole new ballgame. To become ‘right with God,’ he needed to focus on something entirely different. It wasn’t a matter of doing things right, but rather a matter of doing the right things. For us, it’s no longer a matter of living a good and successful life, but of living life successfully and well. So often our jobs, our stuff, and our lifestyles get in the way of our relationship with God – and that is sinful.

It isn’t just the bad things that can cause problems, getting between God and us – it can be the good things as well. Sometimes because they are so good they become counterfeit gods, around which our lives revolve. And God takes second place. That is when we have it all wrong and need to be freed.

It is a grace thing that ‘justifies’ Paul – and frees all of us – making us worthy to live eternally with God, all so that, “Christ can live in us.” In Luke 7:50, Jesus tells the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’ Keep in mind though that the story doesn’t end there, it doesn’t end with the woman being saved and freed from the things that has separated her from God. Luke writes that afterwards, Jesus’ followers, men and women alike – and no doubt this woman as well – “went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God.” They “went on.”

They were ‘repurposed’ and made new for a reason – to “go on through” town and country “proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God.” And so have we. Paul discovered that works didn’t get the job done. Being good wasn’t enough.

Faith in Jesus Christ is what frees us and makes us right with God. It is then Christ ‘lives’ in us. Having been changed, we can put our complete trust in Christ. Transformed, as Paul says, no longer living a life of this world, we are filled with the power and presence of Jesus himself. What’s important to us and how we go about living our lives are repurposed. Love and self-giving characterize our lives. And living now by Jesus’ faith: we reach out to the poor, we welcome the needy, we show hospitality to the stranger, and we counsel the troubled in our communities.

Repurposed by the cross of Christ, may we truly love and give ourselves for others as our Lord has done.