Happy New Year - 2020 A.D. Admonitions for A Happy New Year Galatians 3:26-28 (KJV)
MONTHLY SUNDAY SCHOOL BLOG
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
VOCABULARY
Admonition - Nouthesia (Greek), Admonere (Latin). To warn, to reprove mildly, to correct, to instruct, encourage.
Put On - Enduo (Greek). To be clothed with; to be confirmed with.
Happy New Year! Welcome to the year of Our Lord 2020.
This year's numeration is both particular and unique when you add twenty plus twenty you get forty. Forty is the symbolic number for testing (Jonah 3;4, Matthew 4:2) and also for Judgment (Numbers 14:33, Psalm 95:10). Only Our God knows for sure what is in store for us this coming New Year.
In the Book of Galatians, the Apostle Paul brought to our attention three (3) primary social concerns that were evident during his time. Those concerns were gender (male/female); class (slave/free); and race or ethnicity (Jew/Gentile). Unfortunately, these same three (3) concerns area big problem in this day and time. Also, in many places, women's rights and compensation are restricted; there is a rise in slave trade called Human Trafficking for sexual and labor or work exploitation; and white males with vase resources feels that they can conduct themselves in defiance of the Law of the Land.
The Apostle Paul directly states that neither gender, nor race, nor social status should matter when it comes to membership in the Body of Christ.
How Do We Help Our Churches?
Fight Sexism as hard as Racism - 1st Corinthian 9:26. Most Churches rally for "Black Lives Matter" But what about the right of Church woman to be ordained into the ministry, speaking form the pulpit or holding leadership positions?
Fight For Equality For All Believers -1st Timothy 6:12. The stopping of poverty and lack of resources within the Body of Christ should be a priority.
Privilege Has No Place In Church - Revelations 12:7. Might does not mean right nor does being white means that you are right.
Our churches in the year 2020 should reflect the solemn words of the Apostle Paul as we put on Christ and live as one in Christ Jesus.
Conclusion
The beginning of a New Year is a good time to look forward and to make valuable adjustments in our lives and our churches to better those around us and to impact the worId! The Apostle Paul indicated that the first century society had great concerns with gender, class and race. Some of the same concerns are happening in this day and time. But with the help of God's Holy Spirit and our mutual help and fellowship, we can endeavor to make our churches guiding beacons of light so that as one in Christ we can all give Him the Glory. Amen.
