The thinking this morning is around some words from St Paul: “As you have received Christ Jesus…continue to live your lives in him”. (Colossians 2.6)

From the story in Genesis 18, Abraham was in discussion with the three visitors who had turned up for supper. After hearing some nonsense from them predicting that his wife Sarah would give birth in her old age, Abraham was ready to change the subject.

Any subject, to move the conversation on as they enjoyed supper together. The question that arose was: what is wrong with society in the nearby cities of Sodom and Gomorrah?

The visitors thought that there was no remedy for the ills of society there, other than to simply burn down the Cities and scatter the people. Teach them a lesson! That’s what God would do!

Abraham had a different view. He thought God would be more merciful than that. The discussion ensued.

At its heart this is a discussion about how we understand the nature of God and how we expect God to react when things have gone wrong.

What is God’s attitude to what is wrong with Society today, and how does he deal with the wrongness found in human living?

How many God-fearing people in a society does it take for God to decide that he can withhold a general punishment? 50? 45? 40? 30? 20? 10?

Questions, questions! But, are they the right questions?

Not according to St Paul. In his letter to the church at Colossae, St Paul’s focus is on the importance of believers taking responsibility for themselves to live in faithfulness towards God through Jesus Christ.

The ills of society and God’s disappointment are outside of our control. Our job in life is to make sure we focus fully on our relationship with God. It was made possible to live this relationship with God, despite what is wrong with us, because of what God has done for us in Jesus Christ.

So, if we are going to influence society in any way at all it is most important that we put our relationship with God at the top of our life’s agenda. The emphasis in life has to be the attempt by each of us to live within the love of God, in gratitude for the pardon and peace won by Jesus Christ on the cross, and by accessing the grace and strength of the Holy Spirit to keep us going.

It is your Christian approach to life that makes the people you know begin to question their own approach. In being the example to the people you know, is when change can begin. If enough people begin to change, then society as a whole will benefit. So, it is up to us to keep the faith.

The point is summarised with the comment that “As you have received Christ Jesus…continue to live your lives in him”.

St Luke remembered that Jesus left us with plenty of support for us in this endeavour.

The first support given is a model for prayer. The idea is to hold a brief conversation with God in terms of what we call the Lord’s Prayer. Keeping in prayer contact with God is essential as we attempt to live our lives within the benefits received in Jesus Christ. It is good practice to say the Lord’s Prayer at least once per day.

The second support is some practical advice when dealing with other people. Rather than asking what’s wrong with society and how we can put things right, the idea is to be open to everyone. No matter how inconvenient it is, don’t be churlish, don’t see yourself as the one to mete out God’s judgement, no scorpions, no snakes, instead be generous: give fish and eggs. 

Feed society with an alternative narrative; live the narrative yourself.

Remember, we are attempting to live our lives in the light of Christ, and that it is this factor that will more likely lead to others coming to ask God for the grace and strength of his Holy Spirit for themselves.

Pray regularly, share generously. Don’t worry over much about what is wrong with society, for, “As you have received Christ Jesus…continue to live your lives in him”. It does make a difference.

The Revd Malcolm France