I have been in the Christian life for 50 years now. I have read the following scripture I don’t know how many times:
For through the law, I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; 20and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing. (Galatians 2:19 – 21)
I finally understand it, it is the description of being contemplative, of moving toward a deeper life. These scriptures are clear, it is not about the rules, the Law, or the orders of the Church. It is, instead, about the Life of Christ. It is the idea of “living into” that life. This is what “take up your cross daily” refers to. Each day, by choosing to do things God’s way, we live into the life of Christ. We accept more of that precious gift we have been given.
Don’t misunderstand, this is not easy. Intellectually, it readily makes sense but in living it out, if you are like me, it is hard to get past what society tells me, what Church tells me, and worst of all what I tell myself. Paul is clear, the old ways he followed (The Law) just don’t work.
It has taken me over 30 years as a contemplative to discover what these verses really mean. I wonder why the Church never explained this? I get it, control matters to any organization but so many are left to believe that they have to follow the rules, acquire the beliefs, and do what they are told. Christ is our example of what the Christian life is to look like, live in love with all and do as much good as you can as long as you can.
My concern is that the Church is too busy explaining the rules, the theology, and the behaviors required but never offer these simple thoughts of Paul as the life we are called to. Fr. Richard Rohr talks about the two halves of life, Paul is referring to the second half, where we truly become free. All of the “have-tos” of the world are replaced by the “want tos” that are the true essence of living the Christian life. To feel that one must follow what they are told is not empowering, the fancy name is social control. To be honest, Church is, most often, an instrument of social control.
To be empowered is to make choices because they are good choices, not because we have to do something. When “have to” enters in, empowerment leaves quickly. So, Christ came to empower us, let us do as Paul has said, “to live is Christ”.
TMM