A couple of Sundays ago our pastor was preaching on Galatians 2. His main point was about legalism and adding to the Gospel. So far, so good. But while he read verses touching on different topics, he didn't mention them. I'm not saying you should dwell on every single topic every time you read, but these two topics seemed worth an aside or two.
In one verse Paul basically said "I don't care who said that, because titles don't mean much." In this American Idol generation, being a respecter of persons is kind of relevant. Even in Christian circles, we seek the spotlight and have our favorite preachers. God in His Scripture kind of frowns on that.
The comment in church? Crickets.
In another verse Paul mentions taking care of the poor as something he was already eager to do. It's worth mentioning that Nebuchadnezzar was advised through Daniel's counsel to show mercy to the poor before the former was humbled by eating grass. God sees this taking care of the poor thing as pretty important.
Again, crickets.
If you think I'm criticizing the pastor, you're wrong. I know him well, and have no doubt these issues are close to his heart as well. There's nothing unique about the omission of these topics from preaching, however. I've never heard it addressed, even when it's there in black and white print.
I blame myself, and all of the other "selves" who only support moral issues if they require no effort on our part. I'll pray sing and speak, but God forbid there's a command to obey. That's legalism, anyway.
If a decision or prayer produces no change in me, if I'll love the Lord but not my neighbor, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, I might as well die on the spot.
The following week the pastor mentioned reaching out to people we wouldn't normally, and keeping each other accountable for our actions in love. I hope we do exactly that.
1 comment:
I know you know this ... but that stuff gets comments in our church ;)
and some people still don't like to hear it.
Peace.
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