Scripture: Galatians 1:6-7
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
Thought for the Day: The usual sequence would be for Paul to follow his salutation with a word of thanksgiving. Even if Paul had plans of critiquing a church, he would find something to first praise. People tend to hear critical analysis better if they have first heard something positive…that’s found in the first chapter of most leadership books. But in his letter to the Galatians, Paul seems to have forgotten that important technique. Instead, he greets folks (vs.3-4) and then goes right for the jugular. In his strong analysis of this situation, he speaks of how quickly they have deserted the one (God) who called them. The Greek word translated as deserting (metatithesthe) is used to describe a conversion from one point of view to another. Paul sees the people of Galatia converting to something that ignores the grace of Christ, which is more than unconditional love. Grace is the self-sacrificing act of Christ upon the cross. It is both freely given and immeasurable in value. So when Paul points out how the people are turning away from God’s demonstration of selfless-giving, he is stunned. There are many points of faith that could be up for debate, but in the mind of Paul, it is impossible to imagine faith without God’s act of selflessness for the sake of humanity. As a friend used to say, “That’s like Simon without Garfunkel.” Of course, he said that before they broke-up…but the point is that faith in the love of God must be rooted in the revelation of that love.
Prayer: It is easy to toss around the language of your love, Gracious God, but please help me to continue to keep in mind the depth to which you were willing to go so I would know of this gift. Amen.
LOOKING AHEAD…
1 thought on “Ecclesiological Etchings: 07-03-13”
We so easily drift or forget so much of what our Lord has provided. Thank you Bruce for leading us through this study of Galatians.