Saturday 25 August 2012

Background

In today's passage Paul is continuing his theme of putting theimportance of faith above the fulfilment of the law - a theme thatas run through the previous chapters of his letter to theGalatians. He writes, "God sent his Son, born of a woman, bornunder law, to redeem those who were under law" (vv. 4-5).

He clearly has so much faith in what he is preaching; this isthe same message that he's been preaching throughout this wholeletter. As we reach the end of today's passage, we can see a bit offrustration starting to creep in (verses 9-11).

Isn't it the worst feeling when you're so passionate aboutsomething, and it just feels like you're talking to a brick wall?Nothing you say ever seems to make a difference! This must havebeen how Paul felt!

How infuriating! Paul is showing them this new and exciting wayof life, a life of faith, not by the old covenant law; yet theydon't seem to be bothered! They're returning to their old ways.

The well-known verse, "There is no longer Jew or Greek, there isno longer slave or free, there is no longer male or female, for allof you are one in Christ Jesus" (v. 28) appears in this passage.Paul is keen to emphasise that the message he is preaching is foreveryone, Jesus Christ is for everyone!

To ponder:

• Are there situations you can think of, where you've been sofrustrated that you want to give up? What happened? What was theoutcome?

• How much effort do we make in our churches and communities tomake everyone feel welcome, and make everyone feel included?