This Sunday, June 26 the lectionary catches us six chapters into Romans (6:12-23). Since Easter was so late this year, we've missed several weeks of earlier passages that help put this in context. To catch us up, here is one of the key themes we'll be talking about that's already been introduced: the relationship between our culture and our faith. Divisions had arisen in the Roman Christian church because after Claudius had expelled Jews (including Jewish Christians) in 49 C.E., Jewish Christians returned to find their church was now run by Gentiles whose numbers had increased. Tensions were inevitable. How could they now live together as God's people, coming from two very different cultures? How could they remain different and yet share a common identity? In this Sunday's reading, Paul takes the approach of seeing each of us, Gentiles and Jews, as slaves, and that we can either become slaves to sin or to God's righteousness (6:23). The good news is, "we have been set free from sin" and can live in the realm of right-relationship with God that Jesus won for us! Our identity in living out of that realm challenges us to fully rely upon God's merciful love.
This week's question is: what barriers, differences and challenges block you from living in your God-given identity? What helps you to live in the realm of God's grace rather than sin? (Share your comments and questions below!)
Peace,
Pastor Jon
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