We’ve been studying Galatians, and a central question is, “What makes us different?” Or, “What should believers be known for?” In the early days of the church, the Jewish believers thought Christians should be known by the Jewish marks of identity: diet, circumcision, etc. In our day, some of us were raised in systems where Christians were known for what they didn’t do.

Once I spoke three times at a church in Estes Park: Thursday night and twice on Sunday. To illustrate the kind of legalism I grew up with, I mentioned one prohibition: regular playing cards were out, Rook cards were OK. After each service, someone came up to me and said, “I’ll bet you were raised in __________ church.” All three named churches were different, and none was the tradition I came from! So there’s a lot of legalism going around, apparently.

The weird thing is that the scriptures are clear in what we should be known for:

Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? (Isaiah 58.6, 7, NIV)

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6.8, ESV)

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13.34, 35, ESV)

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. (Galatians 5.6, ESV)