Paul wrote today’s verse when chastising Peter who was going along with a group of people that had decided circumcision was critical to salvation. They were segregating themselves from the Gentiles — the non-Jews — for this reason.
The Old Testament law includes a lot of behavior that makes a person “unclean,” or unfit for participation in worship. The Jewish leaders took this even farther and declared them unfit for participation in society.
One of the things that Jesus came to clear up was this notion of what makes a person unclean and unfit for the presence of God. His answer was sin. All sin. Any sin makes me unfit to approach God. Ever.
But Jesus said the solution could not be found in the law. Not in any ritual or command or effort. The one and only solution to solving the “unclean” issue was faith in Jesus.
The Jews Paul was scolding thought they were clean because of circumcision and the Gentiles were not. They decided the Gentiles could not eat with them or come to their parties or join in any reindeer games.
But if circumcision offered salvation, what was the point of Jesus’s sacrifice?
There is nothing that can make a person worthy of being in the presence of God other than Jesus.
And because of Jesus, everyone who accepts His gift is worthy and acceptable.
That means everyone. Regardless of whatever sin I think they are guilty of. Or ritual I think they should undertake. Or effort I think they should make to change something about themselves.
Everyone. Gay people. Straight people. Women. Men. Trans. Black. White. Latino. Hispanic. Undocumented. Citizen. Republican. Democrat. Ex-convicts. Current convicts. Addicts. Homeless people. People living in mansions. Pedophiles. Yes, even pedophiles. Everyone stands on equal footing with God. We all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. Way short.
Back to today’s verse. That fallen life of mine was crucified with Jesus, thank God. And through my faith in Him, I live a new life that is acceptable. Not better than anyone else. Not worse either.
Dear God,
Thank you for making it so easy to be forgiven and cleansed by Jesus. I’m so glad I don’t have to know and try to obey hundreds of laws. Just the one: love. Remind me every day that I only have life through Jesus, not through being good or doing good. And remind me that I am no better than anyone else. Forgive me for looking down my nose at anyone who doesn’t seem to fit in as what I think of as “your kind of person.” Your kind of person is anyone who puts their trust in you. The end.
CamDevo 