Listening for Instructions

Paul cares deeply about how the members of the church relate to one another. He has seen the church at Galatia at its best and at its worst. He sees how their conflicts and quarrels keep them from creating a beloved community. So, Paul writes to convey two basic truths.

First, the members belong to one another. The members are responsible to one another. Therefore, they should check their pride at the door. Thriving faith communities are governed not by ego, Paul writes, but rooted in humility. This kind of humility can be counterintuitive. It goes against that within us that wants to shout, “Me, me! Love me now!” But the exhortation to bearing with and for one another remains the same.

Second, Paul writes that all members contribute unique gifts to make the community thrive. Sometimes this means receiving instruction humbly from an unlikely person. Sometimes it means continuing to work hard even when one’s contributions are not appreciated. And often it means planting seeds of faith even if the harvest does not come for years. Regardless of how our gifts are received, we’re asked to offer them.

Like in the early church, nothing kills our community life faster than members’ feelings of self-importance. Showing up at church believing that we’re better than someone else not only kills any spirit of Christian unity but also keeps others from feeling welcome. Today, we hear again the call to bear one another’s burdens, walk with one another, and uplift one another. As we respond to that call, our church becomes a stronger witness for the way of Christ while becoming a community of faith where newcomers feel welcome and find ways to grow in their faith.