Living in the Spirit
June 10,2016

Scripture Reading: Galatians 2:15-21

For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing. –Galatians 2:19-21

Which comes first a rule or a norm? The word “norm” is defined as an authoritarian rule, a standard of conduct or ethical value, or an ideal standard binding upon the members of a group and serving to guide, control, or regulate proper and acceptable behavior. * So what is the difference between a rule and an authoritarian rule? An authoritarian rule has a bases beyond the rule itself. Perhaps the only reason we obey the speed limit is the knowledge that we might have to pay a ticket if we fail to obey the law. That is a shade of authority and probably the one on which most of us fall back. Jesus calls us to a higher authority, the authority of doing what is right for the sake of its rightness. It is called justice. Actually it resonates also throughout the Mosaic laws and particularly the prophets. I commend to you Joan Chisttester’s book The Ten Commandments: Laws of the Heart to explore this further.

Discerning justice is a whole lot more complicated than following closely a check list of rules that, once obeyed get us through the turnstile of rightness. Thus we try to win the battle of being the people who establish the rules. We certainly want our norms to be at the top of the list. It makes life a lot easier since we are already practicing them.

How do we know that our norms are in synch with God’s or for that matter how do we know another’s norms are not in synch with God’s? What is just? What is really right? Discerning justice requires a very close walk with the Lord. It requires us to study the Biblical word of God and the Word of God in the person of Jesus Christ. Discerning justice is a precursor to doing justice which we are called to do.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for assuming that my norms are your norms. Broaden my vision to see your justice and help me take the difficult journey to make your justice my rules for living. Amen.

*http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/norm

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.