­The Fruit of God’s Grace; Seperation

Romans 6:19-23
Psalm 1:1-4,6
Luke 12:49-53

You have heard that we Christians have so much grace that others don’t have and that’s what separates us. Grace sets us apart from the rest.

How?

In the first reading Romans 6:19-23, there’s a demonstration of how grace seperates us from others on how we use our bodies and  our attitude too.

We use our Bodies for the glory of God and that is for righteousness. This makes us slaves of God, servants of God.

The Gospel emphasises this seperation in the words of Jesus Christ that he came to bring fire.

Fire brings changes and fire separates elements that are mixed up, it purifies and sanctifies, just like gold is purified in the fire.

More forcefully, Jesus uses the word “division”, that he came not for peace but division amongst families.

How come Jesus is referred as prince of peace at the event of his birth, yet he came to bring division.

Yes, he remains a prince of peace.

The division in question is seperation. He came to separate through grace the people whom he adopts.

This means that once we become his by adoption, and live in his grace, our lives become so much different from others that we cannot compromise.

That life is a Christian culture. Christian culture contradicts many cultures and sometimes makes others treat us badly.

But don’t be afraid because happy is the man who has placed his trust in the Lord.

And be reminded of these words: I am the light of the world, says the Lord ; anyone who follows me will have the light of life.

© Fr. Henry Charles N.  Umelechi