“Galatians is a powerful book that clearly articulates both what Jesus did on the cross and that Jesus’ actions are for all people everywhere.”
I've been listening to a new song from David Crowder, and Dante Bowe from Maveric City music called "God Really Loves Us." In a compelling ending to the song, we find the lyrics, "What a Father, What a Friend, What a Savior He is," repeated multiple times. I encourage you to listen to the song (you can find the link below). I can't get this refrain out of my head as I read the letter to the Galatians.
Galatians is a powerful book that clearly articulates both what Jesus did on the cross and that Jesus' actions are for all people everywhere. Galatians is both, as some scholars call it, "white-hot," in that Paul starts the letter defending himself and his message, as well as encouraging and hopeful. As we read through the chapters of Galatians, we are comforted with the reality that Paul is fighting to clarify that message of Jesus is for people like you and me.
In the message for this week, I highlight various layers of cultural complexity and complication, listing several reasons why some of the recipients of this letter, who once believed in Jesus, are going back to "the temple" -- that is going back to everyday Jewish practice and belief. One way we can enter into the story of Galatians is to understand, even relate to, the fact that many influences and voices are pulling us away from a lived-out faith in Jesus. It was hard for new believers in Galatia, and it's hard for us today as well.
Here is a spiritual formation practice I encourage you to practice each day this week. Start each morning reading scripture; I encourage you to read through Galatians each morning if you have the time. Then pray for the Lord to give you "eternal focus" throughout your day. That is, to be aware of the Lord's presence with you and giving you the capacity to respond to the Lord's guidance and direction. At the end of each day, spend more time in prayer, but this time write down 1) where and how you responded to the Lord's leading, and 2) where and how you were pulled away from living out faithfulness to Jesus.
This daily exercise aims to observe patterns in your life of which you might be unaware. In those instances, you have the opportunity for spiritual growth as you work with the Holy Spirit to address those areas. This exercise will also provide you with the opportunity to celebrate and reinforce areas of faithfulness in your walk with the Lord. Both of those outcomes are helpful.
I'm looking forward to our time together in the book of Galatians because, as Paul reminds us in Galatians 1:4, "Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen."