LOVE GOD – & DO WHAT YOU LIKE?

SERMON PREACHED BY FR. TONY NOBLE ON JULY 1, 2007

Gal. 5:25 "If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the spirit."

In last Sunday’s gospel we heard Jesus' famous challenge to his followers: "Take up your cross daily." I preached about this in the context of baptism - and also its practical working out in our daily life as Christians.

Today St. Paul takes the principal of living the Christian life, with all its difficulties and challenges, one step further. He begins by reminding the Galatians that Christ, by his birth and resurrection, has abolished the old covenant with all its laws and rules. Now, he claims, we have a new covenant of love - which gives Christians a certain freedom never enjoyed by the people of the old covenant.

For love is the fulfillment of the law. St. Paul sums up his point rather nicely by saying: "If we live by the spirit let us also walk by the spirit."

In our weekly bible study on Friday morning the group was eager to discuss St. Paul's list of the fruits of the spirit - as opposed to the works of the flesh. The works of the flesh listed by St. Paul are a pretty sordid list indeed - except perhaps "party spirit." Our group on Friday thought it referred to having a party! In that case there is no hope for this parish! Maybe that is why Oliver Cromwell and the puritans banned the observance of Christmas in England??

As we read this part of Galatians it seems as if St. Paul is saying that we have freedom as Christians from the old law, so everything is okay…...just as long as you love God and love one another. How many times have you heard that? It reminds me of a conversation that I had several years ago with a priest of more liberal views than me. He was justifying to me a liberal attitude to any rules of behavior for Christians, particularly as related to sexual behavior. I was trying to argue from the teachings of the church for some rules and discipline. He quoted to me the great phrase of St. Augustine: "Love God and do what you like." He conveniently omitted the next line which is: "But love God first."!!

Yes - if we love God first then everything falls into place. Everything else will follow a pattern of Christian discipleship, which does include rules. Those of you who are married or in a relationship know that without rules you cannot only live any sort of life together, and love is difficult.

The glib saying that you can do what you like as long as you love God is just an excuse for people to do what they like. And look at the havoc it doing in our world and in our Episcopal church today. And consider this - Muslim terrorists love God, and they do what they like!

Today's gospel on the other hand provides a stark contrast. People came up to Jesus wanting to follow him - no doubt enthusiastic young people. “I will follow you wherever you go” says one man. No doubt said with honesty and enthusiasm.

And what was Jesus' response? I'll put you on the reader's roster? Come to our bible study? Come to our luncheon? No! He says don't even go and say goodbye to your family. "Leave the dead to bury their dead." Such a strange response indeed.

What Jesus is saying is that nothing must come in the way of following him, or distract from that purpose. At first Jesus' admonitions seem uncaring and illogical but the final saying gives the clue: "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."

In the time of Our Lord they plowed the land by hand with a plow and an ox leading the instrument over the soil. The slightest turn of the head of the man would not only take away his attention, but any movement of his hands would see the plough going off in another direction - and what a mess that would create.

So you see our Lord is quite plain that if we are to follow him there is one view only - and it is straight ahead.

This call to radical commitment - leaving our family, leaving the dead - is not easy and applies especially in our church to the religious life and the ordained ministry.

Priests and religious are called and set apart - and nothing is supposed to distract them or divert their whole-hearted application. For theirs is a vocation, not just a job. They are not meant to be just an example of responsibility - but theirs is a commitment of the heart. And that is what we expect.

The catholic tradition believes that priests can best fulfill this by being unmarried - something that I and other Episcopal clergy have embraced. Of course it is not compulsory in our church, but it is in the Roman Catholic Church.

Such a calling for an unmarried commitment has its advantages for priestly ministry - and also disadvantages. I could not survive as a priest without your love and friendship. It is what the unmarried state requires.

So is it just the clergy that are called to make a special sacrifice of their lives? And everyone else just loves God and does what they like? Of course not! "Take up your cross daily" applies to all of us. All of us have to make a sacrifice in our lives if we are to put our hands to the plough and follow Jesus. It is harder when you have a job, or have a family to care for and provide for.

And what St. Paul says in Galatians applies to us also: "If we live by the spirit, let us also walk by the spirit." We are all called to live lives of love and discipline and joy.

On this Sunday before July 4 let me conclude with an example of an Episcopalian who not only lived out these 2 injunctions – but also Our Lord’s saying: "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."

Four Hundred years ago, on April 26, 1607, 3 ships landed at Virginia Beach to begin the colony of Jamestown. Over a hundred men and boys took that 4 month journey from London, which was quite an endurance. And amongst those was their chaplain the Rev. Robert Hunt, a priest of the Church of England. Chaplain Robert Hunt really is the first Episcopalian. And despite illness on board, infighting and rough seas he never looked back. His eyes looked forward to what lay ahead. Upon arrival in America he led them all in 3 days in prayer and repentance.

When they finally landed they carried ashore a seven foot oak cross, which they erected on the land. America was claimed for Jesus Christ - and by an Episcopalian!

On June 21^st services from the Book of Common Prayer began to be celebrated by Chaplain Robert Hunt under a tent. Unfortunately there is no happy ending. He died in the spring. Such a short ministry - yet so profound, and with a continuing legacy.

So on July 4th let us remember Chaplain Robert Hunt, and give thanks for him - and that 400 years ago he claimed this land for Jesus Christ.