We live in crazy times. This includes hate crimes at Jewish synagogues and Islamic centers but also at universities, schools, residential areas, retail areas, and night life. Protest marches organized to be peaceful turn violent. We are frustrated with deep political polarization. Social media fuels hatred with false narratives and mean-spirited reactions to other posts. Wars keep happening and are hard to interpret as having a clear and beneficial purpose. Extremists dominate political parties and many civic organizations. The cost of living keeps climbing with no relief in sight. Trust has eroded for most professions. Forty-nine percent of Americans feel angry on any given day.
I could go on, but I am depressing myself, and I am certain you as well. Even as people of faith who worship a God of love, we find ourselves distraught by all the chaos around us. How can we experience the Christian faith to rise above the madness around us? The “Fruit of the Spirit” passage above sounds idyllic and only possible for people living in isolation. In reality, Paul was writing to a church living in chaos. The region was a melting pot of nationalities and religions at odds with each other. Anarchists wanted to overthrow Rome. The church was dealing with false information about how to be a follower of Christ. Freedom in Christ was leading to ungodly, disturbing, and immoral behavior. This is illustrated by a list Paul provided in Galatians 5:19-21. “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, wild partying, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Goodness! Written almost 2,000 years ago and yet, very descriptive of life around us today.
For the next three months of Summer, the messages on Sunday will focus on finding and experiencing the “Fruit of the Spirit” amid all the distractions and chaos. Even in the craziness, there can be “love, joy, and peace.” Join us every Sunday at 10:00! Consider this your personal invitation.