Day Eight

Day Eight. January 17. Galatians 1:1-10

Our reading of the letter Paul wrote to the churches in Galatia has finally begun. Remember, Paul is talking to people he spent a great deal of time with over the course of his missionary trip there and then back again. He appointed elders and leaders in these various churches. They watched him get run out of town and stoned and yet still come back to them again. Paul invested in them deeply and so his concern for them was deep. People had come to visit these churches who were not truly following Christ. They were a harmful sect, that created rules and regulations to be strictly followed, instead of worshippers of Jesus, longing for close relationship with the living Christ.

Paul starts by declaring his credentials. He reminds these believers that he was directly called by Jesus Himself on that road to Damascus. His heart is for the Lord Jesus in all he does and he starts by reminding them that Jesus gave His life for our sins. This letter starts with praise to the One who saves us, the one who extends grace and peace to those who follow Him. “All glory to God forever and ever!” exclaims Paul in verse five. This letter is going to be all about knowing God and following Him closely.

Were you surprised at the abrupt change in Paul’s writing starting with verse six? Paul dove right in to the controversy that prompted his letter. He was pretty worked up about what that false sect was saying. Trying to get to Heaven on our own through good works instead of reliance on the mercy of Christ was foolish and wrong then, and it is today as well. At the heart of our faith is the deep humility we carry as sinners, knowing we are needy and forever grateful we have a Savior who rescues us. We cannot save ourselves. Paul will expound upon this all week long as we read. It’s that important.

Do you ever feel you have to earn your way into God’s good graces? It’s easy to slip into that mindset. If we can just follow the rules well, then God will like us better, we foolishly think. And if we mess up too many times, He’s bound to be disgusted with us, because we are disgusted with our own selves. Satan loves to keep us in this place of bondage, where we live under a heavy load of trying to be perfect and failing over and over to measure up. We are going to study the better way to walk with the Spirit as shared by Paul in his letter to the Galatians. Oh, there is freedom in knowing just how amazing and never-ending God’s forgiveness and grace actually is!

My verse: Galatians 1:6a “I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from
God, who called you to Himself through the loving mercy of Christ …”

My response: Oh how easily we turn away from You, Lord God!! We choose rules or a group of people or some cause and elevate it. When what You want from us is relationship, day by day, moment by moment, branch attached to Vine abiding. Help me not to replace time with You with lesser things.