Philip Yancey – Beginning with Pentecost, the Christian church dismantled the barriers of gender, race, and social class that had marked Jewish congregations. Paul, who as a rabbi had given thanks daily that he was not born a woman, slave, or Gentile, marveled over the radical change: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
One modern Indian pastor told me, "Most of what happens in Christian churches, including even the miracles, can be duplicated in Hindu and Muslim congregations. But in my area only Christians strive, however ineptly, to mix men and women of different castes, races, and social groups. That's the real miracle." http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/november/27.119.html
We are studying how to have true joy in a cynical world. Today I want us to look at how community combats our cynicism. When I am feeling the most angry and cynical, I also feel the most alone. “Everyone is against me. Everyone is an idiot. I am the only one who sees through this…” And that nastiest of all moods, self pity, which says “I just don’t get what I deserve.”
Christianity however calls us to see ourselves in a completely different light. When we become a Christian, we join with Christ and are united to him. Therefore, we are united to everyone else who is Christian. We have one mind and one spirit.
I am not cynical because I am not alone. I am one with people who are better and higher than me. As I pursue Christ by serving them, I enjoy that community on a deeper and deeper level. I’m not cynical because when I act consistently Christian, I don’t think about myself at all.
How do we enjoy that truth? Remember three things: Our identity, our Community and our Calling.
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