Ephesians 2:11-18
When I read Paul's letter here which speaks of abolishing the law and commandments, I have to immediately think, is this the Roman Catholic Church he's talking about? There are so many rules, I'm just say'n. I often say though, that the rules Jesus actually did speak of make it more difficult for us. No longer are we simply bound by ten easy commandments. The lens for the ten are the 'great two'. That is "'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind.' This is the greatest and the first commandment. And the second is like it, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself'" On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:33-40). No, killing in that lens means of course no killing but also no killing of spirit, no bashing, maybe even no gossiping or bad mouthing. Not as easy. I don't see myself in a situation where I would be even near the verge of actually physically killing someone. But killing someones spirit? I may have done that and for that I am heartfully sorry.
Another interesting point is the mention of circumcision here. Forget about being cut or uncut, what does this mean? When those early church leaders gathered in Jerusalem for that first 'council', part of the discussion was whether you had to convert to Judaism before you became a Christian. This included a very important aspect to the men, even back then - circumcision. If you were 30 or 40 and wanted to be a Christian, would you have to be circumcised first? (insert "ouch" here).
The fact of the matter is, obeying myriad laws is not what keeps us together, does not make us followers of Christ and does not make us the beautiful people we are. It does not make us holy. All the good stuff is in our heart and soul. So, we are joined by a circumcision of sorts, in our hearts. No longer are we bound by a physical circumcision. We are bound by our willingness to cut out the bad stuff in our lives. The behaviors that take us away from Christ and each other. We cut out the 'things' that distract us from our real goal, things like devotion to money, accumulating things and sex. Yes, even that can be a distraction from God. Just remember it can also be a source and image of God's love too. Everything in proper perspective.
As I said the other day, one the most hopeful of the many good moments of this new Pope was to 'break church law' and wash the feet of women. This guy seems to get it. I am hopeful.
They say laws are meant to be broken. We are a faithful people not by the laws we necessarily obey but how we live, grow and emulate Christ.
When I read Paul's letter here which speaks of abolishing the law and commandments, I have to immediately think, is this the Roman Catholic Church he's talking about? There are so many rules, I'm just say'n. I often say though, that the rules Jesus actually did speak of make it more difficult for us. No longer are we simply bound by ten easy commandments. The lens for the ten are the 'great two'. That is "'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind.' This is the greatest and the first commandment. And the second is like it, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself'" On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:33-40). No, killing in that lens means of course no killing but also no killing of spirit, no bashing, maybe even no gossiping or bad mouthing. Not as easy. I don't see myself in a situation where I would be even near the verge of actually physically killing someone. But killing someones spirit? I may have done that and for that I am heartfully sorry.
Another interesting point is the mention of circumcision here. Forget about being cut or uncut, what does this mean? When those early church leaders gathered in Jerusalem for that first 'council', part of the discussion was whether you had to convert to Judaism before you became a Christian. This included a very important aspect to the men, even back then - circumcision. If you were 30 or 40 and wanted to be a Christian, would you have to be circumcised first? (insert "ouch" here).
The fact of the matter is, obeying myriad laws is not what keeps us together, does not make us followers of Christ and does not make us the beautiful people we are. It does not make us holy. All the good stuff is in our heart and soul. So, we are joined by a circumcision of sorts, in our hearts. No longer are we bound by a physical circumcision. We are bound by our willingness to cut out the bad stuff in our lives. The behaviors that take us away from Christ and each other. We cut out the 'things' that distract us from our real goal, things like devotion to money, accumulating things and sex. Yes, even that can be a distraction from God. Just remember it can also be a source and image of God's love too. Everything in proper perspective.
As I said the other day, one the most hopeful of the many good moments of this new Pope was to 'break church law' and wash the feet of women. This guy seems to get it. I am hopeful.
They say laws are meant to be broken. We are a faithful people not by the laws we necessarily obey but how we live, grow and emulate Christ.
So then, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, called ‘the uncircumcision’ by those who are called ‘the circumcision’—a physical circumcision made in the flesh by human hands— remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, so that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father.
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