The English language abounds in four letter words. Some are not so nice but there are others that are wonderful like “glad,” “hope” and “love.” There is one that increasingly bothers me more and more. It is “them.” “Them” as in “those people.” I guess it is not so bad when we want to say something nice about “them” but it seems more times than not it is not that way.
“Them” are not “us.” “Them” are “those guys” who are not quite as good as we are. “Them” usually have sinister motives and are not quite as “human” as we are. “Them” are outsiders who can only be trusted if watched carefully.
Paul grew up in a “them/us” culture. He has much to say about this human disease. “. . . He (Jesus) came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household . . .” Ephesians 2:17-19 In Colossians 3:10-11 he wrote, “. . . (we) have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.”
Who are the “them” in our lives and what can we do to make them “us.” Could it be the change needed is not in “them” but in “us?” Jesus fed two crowds. The one was Jewish and the other was gentile. They both got the same meal.
Written by Roger Bothwell on February 1, 2012
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org