Passage of the Day - Galatians 3
Galatians 3 24 Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. 25 And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian. 26 For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. [Read Chapter]
The morning routine for me follows this pattern: wake up (slowly like a starting car in the cold of winter), shower, and then put on the outfit of the day. Fresh clothes…socks, boxers, pants, and the smell of new shirts. It is an especially clean feeling (when you are putting on fresh clean clothes). Have you ever, for whatever reason, had to put on an already worn pair of socks – or t-shirt. There is just something…well, just a little weird about it. The sock is already stretched out, it doesn’t fit the same.
Each year at this time we are invited back to the cross. It is there we face the horror of our sin, the devastation that it caused, the wrath that was required to be poured out, and the effects sin has. It should bring humility afresh – to know that we caused the cross. And yet, in the midst of the torture and excruciating nature of the cross – we are reminded of a relentless love. This compels us to worship, to serve, to proclaim.
Often times, what is neglected is the tomb. Oh, sure it is a happy ending to the story…and some people use it as a means of skipping the brutal nature and truth of the cross. However, it is the glorious and empty tomb that lead to new realities for those who have placed our faith in Christ. The cross where God’s wrath is poured for your sin, my sin upon Jesus is where we are forgiven. The empty tomb – that sin, death, and darkness have been defeated is the victory cry that we celebrate. Or as Paul says: “those who have been united with Christ in baptism (in his death…and resurrection) have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.”
It stirs these questions of myself:
Do I believe that? Or do I wear my past mistakes, current struggles, future fears like old dirty socks?
What are some old mindsets (old clothing) I need to let go of?
Since those who have placed faith in Christ are children of God, how can that set my motivation for life? For the attitude that defines my day?
When I am addressing issues and struggles in others, how can I point them towards this truth?
