Galatians 3:22
“But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.”
“Soylent Green is People!
Soylent Green is People!”
If you haven’t seen the 1973 Charlton Heston thriller, “Soylent Green,” I’m sorry to spoil the ending, but since it is supposed to take place in two years, consider yourself forewarned. Set in dystopian New York City 2022, resources are drained and poverty and overpopulation lead to daily riots. People are reliant on nutritional wafers called Soylent Green. Heston’s character, detective Thorn goes through the movie trying to figure out the source to this much needed and sought after nutrient, finally tracking it to a euthanasia center and discovering the terrible secret that what the public thought was a blessing that brought life, was actually a monstrous recipe created from death.
In a similar fashion Paul is revealing the purpose of the law, “The law is a prison! The law is a prison!” What the Judaizers thought would bring life, actually trapped everyone because of their sin. This was the plot twist for those relying on the law.
While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
- What have you relied on in the past that let you down or turned out to be something other than what you thought it was?
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you?
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you respond?
