April 3, 2011 - Lent 4, Year A (RCL)
Today we move on from Romans.
And we move on,
not because we’re done with it, and that letter of Paul
has nothing more to say to us,
but because, in their wisdom, the people who put together our lectionary
have worked out that what we need next
is not a continuation
of the Paul’s discussion of faith,
but something practical,
something about what the theory he’s been discussing
means for us here and now.
We’ve come to understand, at least in part,
that we are justified by faith.
We have peace with God.
We have access to grace.
We’ll share the glory of God.
There’s nothing we have to do,
just believe.
But we’ve also realized
that being saved by God
doesn’t mean
that God will wrap us in cotton wool.
We might have new life in Christ,
but we still live life on earth, with all of its joys,
and all of its hardships.
Suffering
is something
we have to live with;
but as Christians we know
that it is not the whole of life.
God is with us,
with us in our sufferings,
giving us strength, and perseverance, and hope,
and will even bring good
through something that appears
irredeemable.
So we’ve dealt with two big questions.
Are we saved?
and
What about suffering?
And then comes, the obvious one.
So what, now?
And that’s where
we turn to the letter to the Ephesians. Here is a letter, unlike the theoretical theological emphasis of Romans,
here is a letter
that focusses on the practical.
What does faith mean
for the here and now?
And what Paul in Ephesians answers, is,
that being saved
is not just what happens when we die.
It’s what happens now.
Before Christ
we were people of darkness.
Now
we are people of light.
It’s what Jesus said, reported in the gospel according to St John:
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me
will never walk in darkness
but have the light of life.”
We have moved from the realm of darkness
into the realm of light.
And because of that
we live differently.
It’s kind of like someone who migrates to the United States.
When they first arrive,
they are strangers.
But gradually
they learn more about the culture here.
They may have to learn English; their accent begins to change.
They come to enjoy different foods, burgers and hot dogs and pancakes.
And slowly, almost imperceptibly,
they become part of this country.
Almost imperceptibly
from the outside. But for that person
the changes are deliberate.
To mix with Americans
rather than sticking with the safety of other immigrants.
To learn to cook on a grill, and make Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
To develop those American ‘r’s in their speech.
All of them signs
that they belong here.
It doesn’t happen instantly. It doesn’t even come with your citizenship certificate.
It’s a matter of choice.
And what Ephesians is saying, is that it’s the same for us.
We are now citizens
of the kingdom of God, the kingdom of light.
Now we have to make the choices
to live as citizens of light.
There’s a time in the history of the people of God, back in the Old Testament, where they are challenged,
“Choose who you will serve.” It’s presented as a one time choice.
It’s kind of the same in the gospels. John the Baptist
preaches to people to repent, to make a 180 degree turn.
It’s a one time choices.
And the same thing happens with Jesus.
Do you want to be healed?
Do you believe?
Will you follow me?
But that’s only the beginning
of a life of choices.
Time and time again
we have to make choices,
choices to live
like Christ.
Light
or darkness.
Good
or evil.
Life
or death.
Or in more practical terms,
things that please God, versus things that don’t.
All that is good
and right
and true,
versus all that isn’t.
And to know what those things are, things that please God, think that are good and right and true,
we have to go back a few verses in Ephesians,
to the end of chapter 4 and the first part of chapter 5.
First, there are the things that we’re told to avoid.
Some of them are the big ones, some of the so called seven deadly sins, things that most of us probably don’t do as a matter of habit. Fornication. Stealing. Lying. Greed.
But others are more subtle.
Don’t let anger consume you. Don’t let yourself become bitter. Don’t say nasty things about other people.
Don’t be a contentious person, arguing for the sake of it.
Don’t tell obscene or vulgar jokes.
Don’t get drunk.
All of them choices.
And on the other hand, the things we should do, the things that please God, the things that are good and right and true.
Speak truthfully to one another.
Work for a living,
and share what you have with those who are in need.
Be kind to one another.
Forgive one another.
Be gentle.
Say things that build others up.
Be thankful - to one another and to God.
It sounds obvious.
But it kind of is. But it’s not easy.
You know how it is.
It’s not so much that we plan to do the wrong thing.
just that
it’s easy to get caught up in it.
When you’re hurt by someone, it’s easier to get angry or bitter
than to forgive.
But Christ calls us
to forgive.
When you’re talking with someone,
it’s so easy to point out
someone else’s faults.
It’s harder
to look for their gifts, and be thankful - not just to God,
but to go thank them
in person.
It’s always easier
to talk about what’s wrong in the world, and especially in the church,
than to focus on what is right.
And so I invite you, as we move toward Easter
and the season of resurrection and light,
to remember that everything we do
is a choice,
and to choose to do
what pleases God.
To choose to do what is good and right and true.
Because that’s what it means
to be children of the light,
to follow our Lord and Savior.
And if we all do it, we will find
that the light of Christ
will shine brightly among us, here at St James
and in other parts of our lives,
and we will know for certain
not just the presence and love of God’s people,
but the presence and love of God himself,
and the richness
of God’s blessing.
© Raewynne J. Whiteley 2010