As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God. From now on, don’t let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus. Dear brothers and sisters, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Galatians 6:14-18

Dear God, there is so much debate still, even in my own heart, about what a “new creation” is supposed to look like. Should it be good enough for me that a person is pursuing you in worship even if they have, what I consider to be, obvious sin in their life, or should I see a sinless “new creation?” I suppose the answer to that question is the former because no one is sinless. We are all working out our faith with fear and trembling. I’m typing this at 7:37 in the morning, and I have already sinned today. I’m sorry for that, by the way. I’m sorry for allowing sinful thoughts and even words to gather and come out of me. I’m sorry.

So I suppose that loving others, Christians and non-Christians alike, should be what I lead with. If I can love those who disagree with me politically, socially, religiously, or even in interpersonal matters, then I can know the peace and mercy that Paul references to the Galatians here. But if I decide that I need to judge others for how they are failing in thought, word, or deed, then I will not experience that need. To be sure, I shouldn’t just ignore the sin in my life. And I should judiciously talk with others about sin, but only in times when you have given me a legitimate voice in their life and a divine appointment to do it. I’m pretty sure that time is never on social media or even in writing.

Father, help me to look beyond “circumcision” and all of the modern ways we apply the concept of judging the wrong thing. Help me to know how to be your representative to every person with whom I come into contact, and bring your Kingdom and will into the earth through me and your church. You know, beyond that, do it through whomever you please. Your Kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen