Galatians 6:14-15
“But far be it from me to boast except
in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
by which the world has been crucified
to me, and I to the world. For neither
circumcision counts for anything,
nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.”
ESV
I’ll never forget when I was doing a packed out wedding in a big auditorium, and the Mother-n-law to be looks at me right at the beginning of the service and shouts, “Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!!!”
I recoiled with the bride and groom, and we all gave her the look that said, “What are you on?” What we didn’t know was that the flower girl was rehearsing her last tumbling lesson and the ring bearer was excavating his nostrils right behind us on the stage.
I got so flustered I put my head down to burn through the service by just reading the vows to get it over with. During this ordeal I forgot to tell the people to sit down during the service. When I looked up to say, “You may kiss the bride.” I had a whole audience grinning and staring.
I wonder what Pope Francis felt like whenever he offered a prayer of peace by having two children release two brilliant white doves, and immediately these birds were violently attacked and taken down by two big ugly black birds. I’m sure everybody in Rome probably started bracing for the apocalypse.
What these stories illustrate to me is that this world is really not our home. Paul, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit came to the conclusion that it was just the wise thing to reckon yourself as dead to this world, and that in Christ, you’re a new creation. I believe this philosophy made life easier for Paul, and for us too if we embrace it. In this world there is pain, suffering, and brokenness, but in Christ, you’re always new.
By Aaron F. Jeffers
Free to Live Ministries 