Day Twenty One - Justice for Future Generations

When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.

When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs? (Galatians 2: 11-14)

Well, it is 4.30am, and time to talk to my laptop. In days gone by, writers dictated to scribes, then folk used quill pens. More recently, shorthand and typing became the norm. Now we have PCs, laptops, and mobiles to help record more permanent communications. I use voice-recognition software to ease the pressure on my arthritic fingers. Despite this evolution in transferring thoughts to word which others can read, I am, behind the times. I should be using more social media, including sound, and moving pictures, which can be posted on YouTube, Facebook, and other platforms. However, the key message of salvation through faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, remains the same.

In fact, this goal forms the first part of article 3 of the Congregational Federations’ (our) constitution, ‘The object of the Federation is the advancement of the Christian faith…’ In addition, Jesus does not recognise any cultural barriers. As Paul writes, ‘There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.’ (Gal 3:28)

I pray that we too will embrace diversity, in all its form, as we seek to further the Christian faith. This should be part of our cultural DNA.

We are at a similar crossroads to that experienced by Peter (Cephas) and Paul. In the UK, we are emerging from the socially isolating effects of COVID-19, heading towards our 50th anniversary, and reviewing how the Federation operates. So, where do we go from here and how will future generations judge our actions? I say judge because those who come after us will ask and assess how we performed. Will we give them congregational justice, as similarly others have asked for climate justice?

How did we manage the opportunity to advance the Christian faith following the Pandemic, and in preparation for our 50th anniversary? Hindsight is indeed a wonderful thing, and we will not get everything right, but we need to examine what we do, how we do it and make changes. Yes, I used the ‘change’ word. Perhaps, you would say; adjust, or update, or reposition? Use whichever verb you like but whichever you choose, be willing to feel the Holy Spirit leading you in God’s path, so Christ may be glorified. Grasp this opportunity to Glorify God and do not suffer from the slavish adherence to customs and practices long past their use-by date.

It can be easy to blame others, such as the deacons, the secretary, the minister, or even the Federation Council. But we recognise the Priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:4-5), so let each one of us take responsibility and work together to advance the Christian faith and leave a legacy for future generations.

Michael Rolton