Devotional - February, 7, 2024
Scripture: Galatians 1: 7-1… which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse! Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Like I said in the last devotional, Paul is very upset about these Judiasers who have made their way into the churches of Galatia. With their "knowledge" they seek to manipulate the people into their way of thinking, never understanding the real message of Christ. Truth be told, we all make mistakes in this area. We learn what we believe to be the truth about the Bible and ...oops, later we find we are in error. Afterwhich comes the tricky part, can we admit it? Can our ego allow us to say, "I made a mistake." I hope it can. Getting to that point is a process, but look at our writer. Look how much backtracking Paul had to do. But, in doing so, he arrived at the statement, am I trying to please people or God? Am I so worried about what people will think, or say, or do, that I have to lie and hope no one finds out? One would think folks would get beyond that point, but you and I know, that is not the case. I hope you live your life before God in the light of Jesus Christ. God sees and knows everything, and from that there, God leads you forward. You can't earn any points with God through ceremonies, or fasting, or anything else. At the cross, the Lord displayed his love for everyone, in hopes, that all would know they are loved and called to be with God. One goes from fearing God, to understanding and loving God. The changes they make are made because of the realizations that occur as the Spirit leads and teaches them. We make changes in our life, easily, when we get clarity. When we understand the situation and feel supported in making the change. "You are going to hell because you did or didn't do this or that...," is not going to bring the change God desires from anyone. Pauls' last statement is profound. It is a statement that reflects a lifetime of learning, and unlearning, and learning again. He had to get past his quest for approval by the religious hierarchy. The quest for approval starts early in life and for many never ends. It's unfortunate and manifests in so many ways. Yes, we want to do well and reflect well on our superiors and people we serve. But, we do it because we love what we do and we love them too. There's no competition or need being fulfilled. So too it is with God.
Pray with me..., Holy God it is easy to confuse the games people play on earth with Your grace and salvation. Keep us mindful of Your ways and the promise we have through Jesus Christ. Be with our loved ones, we pray. Bless them in accord with their needs. And bless our church O God, that we may be the people You call us to be, in Jesus name, Amen.
God's peace,
Pastor Brian
