DESIRES GRATIFIED (23)
Scripture: Galatians 5:1, Galatians 5:13-25
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Desires Gratified (23)
Christopher B. Harbin
Lectionary, Year C, Proper 8
Galatians 5:1, 13-25
What do we want out of life? We’ve heard that the one who dies with the most toys wins. We’ve heard about leaving behind legacies of wealth, honor, accomplishments, family, institutions, popularity, and having our names indelibly inscribed in the history books. We’ve heard about being remembered and admired. Some just want an accumulation of power, comfort, or pleasurable experiences. Paul calls for some reflection on this theme in looking at the desires, goals, and ambitions which would direct our steps. What desires or passions drive us? What are our lives directed toward accomplishing? What motivates our decisions, thoughts, attitudes, and actions? Today’s passage begins with Paul addressing freedom. He is, however, not discussing freedom from responsibility. He addresses freedom as God enabling us to live a different kind of life than what would be dictated by a legalistic approach to God. In fact, the section of text between the beginning of the chapter and the rest of today’s reading, focuses on how circumcision has no hold upon those who live by faith in Christ. Circumcision would call us to obey the strictest interpretations of the Mosaic code, while faith calls us to a completely different plane of living. If we bow to a legal code, we negate the benefits of faith in Christ. More accurately, perhaps, we negate what God has done to grant redemption and reconciliation through grace. Grace and redemption, however, have a very different purpose than what so often passes as freedom in so many conversations around us. This is not the freedom to do whatever we will. It is not the freedom that loudly claims, ‘‘No one can tell me what to do!’’ It is not the freedom to live without obligation, responsibility, or accountability. Rather, Paul says this is a freedom that calls us to willingly become slaves to one another. Now, wait just a minute! That does not sound ...
Christopher B. Harbin
Lectionary, Year C, Proper 8
Galatians 5:1, 13-25
What do we want out of life? We’ve heard that the one who dies with the most toys wins. We’ve heard about leaving behind legacies of wealth, honor, accomplishments, family, institutions, popularity, and having our names indelibly inscribed in the history books. We’ve heard about being remembered and admired. Some just want an accumulation of power, comfort, or pleasurable experiences. Paul calls for some reflection on this theme in looking at the desires, goals, and ambitions which would direct our steps. What desires or passions drive us? What are our lives directed toward accomplishing? What motivates our decisions, thoughts, attitudes, and actions? Today’s passage begins with Paul addressing freedom. He is, however, not discussing freedom from responsibility. He addresses freedom as God enabling us to live a different kind of life than what would be dictated by a legalistic approach to God. In fact, the section of text between the beginning of the chapter and the rest of today’s reading, focuses on how circumcision has no hold upon those who live by faith in Christ. Circumcision would call us to obey the strictest interpretations of the Mosaic code, while faith calls us to a completely different plane of living. If we bow to a legal code, we negate the benefits of faith in Christ. More accurately, perhaps, we negate what God has done to grant redemption and reconciliation through grace. Grace and redemption, however, have a very different purpose than what so often passes as freedom in so many conversations around us. This is not the freedom to do whatever we will. It is not the freedom that loudly claims, ‘‘No one can tell me what to do!’’ It is not the freedom to live without obligation, responsibility, or accountability. Rather, Paul says this is a freedom that calls us to willingly become slaves to one another. Now, wait just a minute! That does not sound ...
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