Romans 10:12-17
In the James Bond Movie, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, James is trying to prevent an evil plot by the villain, Bloefeld. Of course he won't carry out his plans if his demands are met. One demand is immunity from all his past crimes. The more interesting demand is official recognition of his title, Count Bloefeld. The character "M" in the movie comments "snobbery is such a peculiar thing". Of all the sins Bloefeld has committed, he still wants a socially accepted title. He is a snob.
Every generation has their haves and have nots. If not simply in wealth, it is in some other form. There seems to always be a marginalized group. I suppose people make themselves feel better by looking down on someone else. When Jesus said we 'you will always have the poor' he very well could have been speaking of the poor of spirit as well.
So in today's passage where it says there is no distinction between Jew and Greek it is a note from their time about equality. That was the frontier then and perhaps a bit of snobbery within Christianity itself. Was it something like "well I was born a Jew, you (Greek) are merely a Johnny come lately", something like that? Paul is quick to follow the Spirit and Jesus' own words and actions in dismissing this kind of snobbery, inequality or division.
There are certain things we as Christians are called to believe, at services we say a Creed in one form or another. We profess our beliefs. There is a foundational belief of Christianity. Indeed most religions and personal beliefs would say that if we believe in God, He/She is the creator of the entire world and that we are all brothers and sisters. A brotha from anutha motha some might say. We are all created equal and all equally loved. That is a foundational belief.
To carry that principle out is not always as easy as it may seem. Are we willing to treat everyone the same? In our own insecurities, are we willing to abandon the snobbery that pretends to raise us up? From cliques in school to belonging to the right club, the right religion, to living in the right house and going to the right colleges, society tends to train us into some forms of snobbery and a feeling we are better than someone else. It just isn't so. I pray that no one has to experience the apparent fall from grace in one form or another to see how bad snobbery is.
The issue of neither Jew nor Greek that is playing out in our own time is sexual identity. Someone once told me the issues of the LGBTQ is that they 'don't use their parts' the way God intended. A simplistic if not erroneous judgement for sure but it shows the snobbery of one group looking down on another and judging. In the world of LGBTQi, it is more than male and female. It is not simply about marriage equality, a challenge we seem to making great strides in. What of equal rights, respect and dignity for the transgenedred, intersex and bisexuals? Even many within the gay community exert some kinds of snobbery. I have heard some to say 'he's not bisexual, he's just afraid to come out'. How rude and arrogant is that?
The foundational tenet of respect and equality that says there is no distinction between Jew and Greek means equality and respect for all. God loves us all, values our journeys and most of all loves who we are and what we are called to be. It is not up to us to decide what someone else's journey is or where it is to go, that is God's domain. Ours is acceptance and love.
Every generation has their haves and have nots. If not simply in wealth, it is in some other form. There seems to always be a marginalized group. I suppose people make themselves feel better by looking down on someone else. When Jesus said we 'you will always have the poor' he very well could have been speaking of the poor of spirit as well.
So in today's passage where it says there is no distinction between Jew and Greek it is a note from their time about equality. That was the frontier then and perhaps a bit of snobbery within Christianity itself. Was it something like "well I was born a Jew, you (Greek) are merely a Johnny come lately", something like that? Paul is quick to follow the Spirit and Jesus' own words and actions in dismissing this kind of snobbery, inequality or division.
There are certain things we as Christians are called to believe, at services we say a Creed in one form or another. We profess our beliefs. There is a foundational belief of Christianity. Indeed most religions and personal beliefs would say that if we believe in God, He/She is the creator of the entire world and that we are all brothers and sisters. A brotha from anutha motha some might say. We are all created equal and all equally loved. That is a foundational belief.
To carry that principle out is not always as easy as it may seem. Are we willing to treat everyone the same? In our own insecurities, are we willing to abandon the snobbery that pretends to raise us up? From cliques in school to belonging to the right club, the right religion, to living in the right house and going to the right colleges, society tends to train us into some forms of snobbery and a feeling we are better than someone else. It just isn't so. I pray that no one has to experience the apparent fall from grace in one form or another to see how bad snobbery is.
The issue of neither Jew nor Greek that is playing out in our own time is sexual identity. Someone once told me the issues of the LGBTQ is that they 'don't use their parts' the way God intended. A simplistic if not erroneous judgement for sure but it shows the snobbery of one group looking down on another and judging. In the world of LGBTQi, it is more than male and female. It is not simply about marriage equality, a challenge we seem to making great strides in. What of equal rights, respect and dignity for the transgenedred, intersex and bisexuals? Even many within the gay community exert some kinds of snobbery. I have heard some to say 'he's not bisexual, he's just afraid to come out'. How rude and arrogant is that?
The foundational tenet of respect and equality that says there is no distinction between Jew and Greek means equality and respect for all. God loves us all, values our journeys and most of all loves who we are and what we are called to be. It is not up to us to decide what someone else's journey is or where it is to go, that is God's domain. Ours is acceptance and love.
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’ But not all have obeyed the good news; for Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed our message?’ So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.
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