Over-The-Top-Incredible Gifts...
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
- Romans 8:1
The first verse of the eighth chapter of St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans is one of the most outlandish, magnificent, shocking, overwhelming, breathtaking, over-the-top-incredible declarations of all time.
St. Paul is talking about forgiveness. He’s talking about Jesus taking my condemnation onto his own shoulders on the cross, so that I may know myself as forgiven and loved and free.
What do you think the freedom of “no condemnation” looks like? Here’s one example.
On July 16, 1990, the Detroit Tigers were playing the Chicago White Sox at Tiger Stadium in Detroit, Michigan. Steve Lyons, a player for the White Sox, was at bat. He bunted the ball and raced toward first base. The pitcher grabbed the bunt and fired it toward first. Steve threw himself into the air and dove at the bag, head first and arms stretched out. He was safe.
Steve Lyons accidentally drops his pants to brush away the dirt inside his uniform after sliding in to first base, July 16, 1990.
The pitcher for the Tigers begged to differ, and he started a shouting match with the umpire. Meanwhile, over on first base, Steve Lyons stood up and dusted off his pants. Then he felt some dirt trickling down the inside of his pants. He was so absorbed in the game, and he was so focused on having reached first base, that without any consciousness of what he was doing, he loosened his belt…
… and dropped his pants, to wipe away the dirt.
Twenty thousand jaws hit the stadium floor. And you can imagine all the jokes. One columnist wrote, “No one has ever dropped his drawers on the field. Not Wally Moon. Not Blue Moon Odom. Not even Heinie Manush.” Every time Steve went out on the field for weeks afterward, women behind the White Sox dugout would wave dollar bills.
I don’t know Steve Lyons. And normally, I would not condone the manner in which he got rid of that dirt. But the image of that man tearing down the base line and soaring through the air, the image of him so intent on the task at hand that he completely blanks on how he looks, is a picture of a kind of freedom - a kind of “no condemnation” - that is wonderful.
The freedom of “no condemnation” is a freedom from enslaving guilt, a freedom from the fear of not being loved, a freedom from self interest - and a freedom to take risks. It’s a freedom I crave - for you, for me, for Calvary/St. George’s. It’s a freedom that will be offered to us by the Lord Jesus Christ as we worship together this Sunday.
I’ll come as I am. You come as you are. We’ll receive the gift of Romans 8:1 together - that outlandish, magnificent, shocking, overwhelming, breathtaking, over-the-top-incredible gift.
Faithfully, Jim
What’s New?
Your CALSTG-TEAM is sharing ways for you all to stay connected and reminded of God’s presence through the summer. Here is the new line up coming your way…
Prayer Zooms | MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY | 6 PM
Noonday Prayer Service | THURSDAYS | 12:10 PM
Sunday Morning Prayer Service | SUNDAYS | 11 AM
Youth and Family
Connecting with your kids during this season has never been made easier. Chelsy Haynes has created weekly Sunday School videos for your family to enjoy at your pace. Each video is less than 10 minutes and is a simple way to share stories of the Bible.
Staying in Touch…
During this time, you can tune into our livestream events via calvarystgeorges.org. If you need pastoral care, please call the church office at 646-723-4178 or email us at info@calstg.org. Your clergy are here for you.
