“Called Into Liberty Only” ( Galatians 5: 13, WYC ) by Carley Evans

King James Bible (Photo credit: freefotouk)

One of my all-time favorite movie titles is “LOST IN TRANSLATION” written and directed by Sofia Coppola and starring Bill Murray and Scarlet Johannson. This title — and the film — say so much about communicating meaning from one language to another. Take Paul’s statement here in his letter to the Galatians:

“[Forsooth, brethren, ye be called into liberty only; give ye not liberty into occasion of flesh], but by charity of [the] Spirit serve ye together.”

The Wycliffe translation — as it often does — provides two different meanings of the same verse. The big difference is the location of the word “only.” In one version, “only” is placed after the semi-colon; in the one I’ve chosen to quote, the “only” is placed before the semi-colon, indicating that Christians are called to freedom only. We are not called to any sort of bondage! We are not in bondage to the law, nor are we to be in bondage to “the flesh.” Rather, we are called to liberty in Christ. In this freedom, we are called to “serve together” “by charity of the Spirit” according to Paul.

Look at the King James Version of the same verse:

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”

Here the “only” is placed after the semi-colon, rendering it as emphasis not to use freedom “for an occasion to the flesh.” Additionally, the Spirit is missing completely from Paul’s statement. Rather than the power of God, love is emphasized. And instead of serving together, we are called to serve one another.

No wonder we sometimes get a little lost; a little defensive of our views; a little wary of a different viewpoint. Yet, God calls us to unity. He also calls us to love. And, He calls us to freedom.

“Be United” ( 1 Corinthians 1:10, HCSB ) by Carley Evans

Paul (Photo credit: Missional Volunteer)

Paul writes to the church at Corinth – and to us:

“Now I urge you, brothers, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction.”

Obviously Paul is aware of differences of opinions among Christians; after all, he himself disagrees with Peter and does so openly in regards to following Jewish customs such as requiring circumcision and avoiding certain foods and celebrating special days and so on. The unity Paul urges Christians to have is a fundamental coming together under the headship of Christ. We are to have in common “the same understanding and the same conviction” when it comes to the Lord and our relationship with Him.

Unfortunately since Jesus ascended into heaven, divisions continue to blossom like  yellow weeds and then to spread like dead dandelions, splitting out into and carried by the wind.

The organized church is decadent and dysfunctional.

But what of the Church? What of the Body of Christ? Is the Church divided? What are the basic tenets of Christianity? And, do Christians — i.e. the Church — see eye to eye on these tenets? If so, then what are we fighting over? And, why? If not, then why not? Why is the Church incapable of having a common understanding and the same conviction regarding the Lord?

“Let Us Grow” ( Ephesians 4:15, HCSB ) by Carley Evans

Christ the Saviour (Pantokrator), a 6th-century encaustic icon from Saint Catherine's Monastery, Mount Sinai. NB - slightly cut down - for full size see here (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If Christians are perfect already, then why does Paul urge us to “grow in every way into Him who is the head — Christ?” His admonition makes no sense if we have accomplished the ultimate state, i.e. sinless-ness, i.e. holi-ness. Yes, we are declared sinless, we are positioned in Christ as holy, but we continue to make mistakes because we are still contending with the ‘flesh’ — what is that anyway? Some might say the ‘flesh’ is the sinful nature, the ‘old man.’ Or, perhaps the ‘flesh’ is as simple as ‘we are born human, not divine.’ I know — I hear the protest — that sounds like an excuse for sin.  Rest assured, there is no excuse for sin. We shouldn’t say, “Well, it’s Adam and Eve’s fault, you know.” Nor should we deny that we sin. Instead, God calls us to confess our sins one to another. If we don’t sin, how then can we confess?

And so, we are called to “speak the truth in love.” The truth is God asks us to “grow in every way” underneath and within Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Healer and Coming King.

“But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head—Christ.”

“The Priest Is The Lamb” ( Hebrews 7:25, HCSB ) by Carley Evans

“But because [Christ] remains forever, He holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore, He is always able to save those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.”

Under the old covenant, the priest literally stands between the people and God. Annually, the priest offers an unblemished lamb as a sacrificial substitute for the people, their sins burning up along with the body of the lamb, the sweet fragrance satisfying the wrath of the Lord. The people come to God through the priest; God accepts them because of the lamb.

The author of Hebrews may as well shout. For under the new covenant — the better covenant — the priest “remains forever,” and “always lives to intercede for [the people].” Under the new covenant — the final covenant — the priest is the Lamb! And, the sacrifice is once for all. And, the Priest lives forever, always able to intercede for each and every one “who comes to God through Him.”

“In Christ, All Alive” ( 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, HCSB ) by Carley Evans

Resurrection of the dead. Stained glass, region of Paris, ca. 1200. From the Sainte-Chapelle. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A monk tells me that all people everywhere eventually will be saved. I’ve read this view on the internet, on Facebook particularly. I’ve wondered about Paul’s statement that all things will be united under Christ, eventually. This is God’s purpose — yes? — to put all together under the authority of Christ.

“But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.”

Does Paul really mean us to believe everyone everywhere will be saved? Will everyone be “made alive” through Christ just as everyone died “in Adam?” Many will answer with a resounding “no,” reminding that salvation comes with faith in and confession of Christ’s redemptive work. Others will hesitate, not knowing with certainty because God’s thoughts and His ways are so beyond us. Is God’s will crystal clear, or is it a mystery? Do we see everything or do we see through a glass darkly? Do we fully comprehend the depth of His love, or do we grope to find its end? Is there an end to His love? Or is He ultimately so perfect, we melt away in dust and ashes?

 

“God’s Power” ( 1 Corinthians 1:18, HCSB ) by Carley Evans

What is the message of the cross? Paul writes that this message is “foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is God’s power to us who are being saved.” Therefore, it makes sense to know what this message is exactly. The message of the cross is that God’s power saves us. We do not save ourselves. The message is that Jesus comes that we might not die. The message of truth is that — outside of Christ — we are dead already, dead in our sin, unable to save ourselves. If not for Jesus’ inception into the world through birth, if not for His daily life on earth, if not for His death and then His resurrection and ascension, we remain in sin. The message of the cross is a message of the great cure, the only salve that heals completely. Nothing additional is needed.

Two find the message of the cross impossible — the “Greek” or the one who relies on knowledge and the “Pharisee” or the one who relies on obedience to an external regulation. Neither of these two persons comprehend or accept God’s power. Only the humble grasp its significance — understand that Christ is “the wisdom and power of God.”

“According To The Scriptures” ( 1 Corinthians 15: 3-4, HCSB ) by Carley Evans

La conversion de Saint Paul by Luca Giordano (1690), Museum of Fine Arts of Nancy. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Paul tells the church at Corinth that which is of most importance — good news that he is given; not a story he conjures but news he receives from God Himself. The truth Paul is given, he passes on to others. He writes:

^“3 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received:

that Christ died for our sins
according to the Scriptures,
⁴ that He was buried,
that He was raised on the third day
according to the Scriptures.”

This good news, says Paul, is “according to the Scriptures.” From before the beginning of the world, God devises His plan and reveals it over time through His Word. God gives this news to Paul on the road to Damascus and through experiences and further revelations. Every piece of information Paul receives, he verifies through the Scriptures.

The key, says Paul, to understanding this good news is to acknowledge Christ dies for our sins, is buried, and is raised again to life on the third day — all “according to the Scriptures.” Amen.

The Love Of God ( 1 John 3:16, KJV ) by Carley Evans

(Photo credit: angelofsweetbitter2009)

God displays His love for us — fully revealed through His death on the cross.

“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

Knowing God’s love for us, we ought to love one another — love that is sacrificial; love that gives up something precious for the sake of another.

“He Has Made Us Accepted” ( Ephesians 1: 6, KJV ) by Carley Evans

Acceptance is the act of taking or receiving something offered; it is a favorable reception; approval; favor. Acceptance is the act of assenting or believing: the acceptance of a theory; and it is the fact or state of being accepted or acceptable.

Paul tells us God’s good pleasure is to accept us. God’s plan from before time is to show us His favor and give us His approval. In Christ, God is pleased to gather us together along with all things in heaven and on earth. And what is the mystery of His will? His good pleasure that He purposed in Himself! When? Before the foundation of the world! Why? To the praise of His glory!

Here in the first chapter of Paul’s letter to Ephesians is the ultimate picture of God’s love for us:

^“3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

⁴According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

⁵Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

⁶To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

⁷In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

⁸Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

⁹Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

¹⁰That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:”

“The Good News” ( 2 Corinthians 5:21, NIV 1984 ) by Carley Evans

“God made Him — [that's Jesus, His Son who is also fully God] — who had no sin –[a man who is perfect, without blemish, totally pleasing to God] — to be sin– [to become sin itself] — for us –[that's those who believe the good news]–, so that in him –[in Jesus' accomplished redemptive work] — we might become the righteousness of God — [holy and blameless in God's sight.]”

And that’s the good news.