No Advantage

Galatians 2:11-21

I have been part of the church as long as I have lived. I went to Sunday School, youth group, played in the band for a youth musical that toured around Ontario, studied, and studied, and studied, for ordained ministry, having attained the requisite bachelor’s degree (in music, since I thought I was going to be a music teacher until I got that God had other plans), I have served on countless committees, commissions, investigative teams, as convener of this and that, as Clerk of one Presbytery, and as Moderator of another, been interim-moderator for other churches I don’t know how many times, and I’ve been to five Presbyterian Church General Assemblies (that’s got to count for something!). I might say I’ve done a lot for God.

So let’s say someone comes along who has done nothing for God, or anyone. Not even thought about it. Lived entirely for himself. Until one day he looks deep into his emptiness, gets tired of dead-end everything. Accidentally, he listens to a Christian radio station and hears Chris Tomlin singing his version of Amazing Grace, and he’s convicted, done for, zapped, slain, dead and awakened all at once. Somehow he remembers some guy in a suit at a funeral for a friend say to get Jesus and a whole new indestructible worthwhile forever life, all you have to do is tell him you believe in him and you want him to take over. So he does. And this is pretty heavy for him because he knows he’s done some bad stuff, done and dealt some drugs, maybe, OK certainly, responsible for a death or more, who knows. He’s lived a side of life most people only get a glimpse of without even knowing what they’re seeing.

Who has the advantage before God, him or me?

Yes, it’s a trick question. The answer is neither. Well maybe him in a way because he may have, after all this, a more vibrant, personally shared faith than me.

How can there be any advantage, any distinction, any anything between us before the Jesus who went through what he went through for your sake and mine, and all of us together? How dare I even contemplate the question? There is one thing necessary for life. When was I saved? When was this guy saved? Over 2,000 years ago. We just have to claim it. Paul is careful always to talk about grace through faith, not because of faith or on account of faith because not even our faith is any kind of accomplishment.

I don’t know if anyone really understands what got into Peter, but somehow these visitors from Jerusalem got him off getting all of that. The richness of his heritage was really rich, really great, but was no advantage. It was even an obstacle if anyone thought of it that way, or required it in any way of anyone. There can be no thought of any advantage or anything that even seems like it.

One thing is necessary. Thank God.

Prayer:
Thank you, God, that you are not fair as we would understand that. Through Christ. Amen.