Scripture: Galatians 4:15
What has become of the goodwill you felt? For I testify that, had it been possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.
Thought for the Day: Yuck! That’s disgusting! Is Paul suggesting self-mutilation for the sake of the faith? …probably not. It is thought that Paul was using a common figure of speech…at least common in his day. It would be like us saying, He’d give you the shirt off his back or I’d give my right arm for that. We don’t mean exactly what is said, but we want to somehow express the intensity of what was being felt. Paul recognized how the people of the Galatian churches had, at one time, been willing to deeply sacrifice on behalf of others. The sad thing is that I don’t believe anyone is looking for outlandish figures of speech to describe the sacrifices of today’s churches. Maybe that should tell us something.
Prayer: Provide me a heart, O God, that is willing to give almost anything for the sake of others. Amen.
