Galatians 4:1-11
It’s a little gutsy to ask someone to be your friend. It was gutsy in the schoolyard, and it’s gutsy on Facebook. Paul is celebrating that God sought to expand his friends list, reach beyond Israel. God took the initiative.
The Jewish community lived under a Law that could not be fulfilled. The rest of the world has lived under the equivalent of the Law for them: elemental spirits, the movement of the stars, self-actualization – whatever way of organizing life and priorities that has been consciously or unconsciously assumed.
God offers to take all from a state of inevitable frustration – from slavery – to being his children. He is God, after all, while we are not. In relation to him we become children (John 1:12), not buddies. Still, Jesus, in fellowship with his disciples, said he would call them ‘friends’ because he was sharing his plans with them (John 15:15).
I think the sum of Biblical teaching in this area is that we get to call God ‘abba’ (Dad), because his action through his Son and the Holy Spirit is that we have the opportunity to be the adopted sisters and brothers of his Son (who is his ‘one and only’ or ‘only begotten’ Son depending on the translation of John 3:16).
However we understand these things, I think it must hurt God when we reject or ignore him.
Question: How do you understand John 1:12 and the ‘one and only’ of John 3:16 to relate to each other?
Prayer:
God, I accept your invitation. Thank you that I am your child through Christ my brother, who is yet my master. Amen.
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1 comment:
Right on, Pastor!
While I am at heart a peaceful person and find no fault in movements that support peace, there is a "war" against the aims of the government which (established by God) is hugely misinformed in its grantedly sincere efforts to attain peace. Flailing against our government’s efforts in Iraq, demanding a swift withdrawal of our troops, is largely a misdirected effort. The very freedom to speak and protest have been, and will always be, purchased at great cost. No difference in the current conflict. Much blood was shed in the first place to attain our country's separation from the British Empire, and great cost and sacrifice are still demanded of a country that seeks to promote and continue its place in today’s world..
In the same manner, our own eternal salvation was purchased by the blood of Jesus as the Bible so clearly indicates. I would rather stake my claim on the Book that is the World's Best Seller, than on the misguided "wisdom" of ordinary men, no matter how bright they may be.
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