All Live Matters...The Bible Tells Us So

Walking in the Truth::Special THU Edition

Today's Truth from Scripture

"Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God thorough faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are al one in Christ jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise." Galatians 3:23-29

Today's Devotional Thoughts

When faced with the Law, we have a tendency to:

• Get all self-righteous, i.e., "I'M not the guilty party. It's THOSE people who need to change."
• Despair, i.e., "It is what it is. Nothing's gonna change. Why bother to even try?"
• Get defiant, i.e., "Don't tell me what to say or do! Either you hate black people & love cops, or you hate cops & love black people!"

In the face of what appears to be a racial tension that continues to grow in our country, how are we to "process" what's happening, as believers?

1. We shouldn't be surprised. We are sinful people living in a sinful world. Racial animosities have always existed. This does not excuse biased behavior, prejudiced speech, & hateful talk. 
2. We love pointing fingers. When black people get shot by police . . . when white people get shot by police . . . when policemen are targeted by snipers . . . it is human nature to look around for villains to blame. Once again, this does not excuse sinful attitudes, talk, & behavior.
3. Laws do not change people's hearts. Pass all the gun regulations you want, & you still won't get to the heart of the problem. Enact all the hate speech regulations possible, & you still won't get to the heart of the problem. SEE point #1.
4. What's the ultimate solution? What changes behavior . . . speech . . . behavior . . . What brings about a change of heart?

Back to the Bible . . . St. Paul lays out the case for the Gospel carefully & clearly to 1st century believers & to 21st century believers. It is only the Gospel . . . the Good News of forgiveness & life forever under God's grace . . . His undeserved love for all people . . . that brings about truly changed hearts . . . truly changed attitudes . . . truly changed behavior.

Did I mention His love for all people? [Actually, that's not my original thought.]

" . . . in Christ Jesus you are ALL sons of God through faith." (3:26)

"For as MANY OF YOU as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (3:27)

"There is NEITHER Jew NOR Greek, there is NEITHER slave NOR free, there is NO male and female, for YOU ARE ALL ONE in Christ Jesus." (3:28) *

* All emphases added.

• TO Jesus Christ, ALL lives matter. 
• IN Jesus Christ, ALL lives matter. 
• As we are called by God's grace to believe in Jesus Christ, we are enabled to: "[An expert in the law answered Jesus] . . . 'Love the Lord our God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 'You have answered correctly,' Jesus replied." (Luke 10:27b-28a)

Today's Prayer

Lord of All Nations, Grant Me Grace *
Lord of all nations, grant me grace To love all people, every race;
And in each person may I see My kindred loved, redeemed by Thee.

Break down the wall that would divide Thy children, Lord, on every side.
My neighbor's good let me pursue; Let Christian love bind warm and true.

Forgive me, Lord, where I have erred By loveless act and thoughtless word.
Make me to see the wrong I do Will grieve my wounded Lord anew.

Give me Thy courage, Lord, to speak Whenever strong oppress the weak.
Should I myself the victim be, Help me forgive, rememb'ring The.

With Thine own love may I be filled And by Thy Holy Spirit willed,
That all I touch, where'er I be, May be divinely touched by Thee.

* Source:  Lutheran Service Book, Hymn #844