Friday 18 March 2022
- Bible Book:
- Galatians
The only thing I want to learn from you is this: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you have heard? (v. 2)
Background
Paul pulls no punches in this passage. He is angry with the Galatian Christians and calls them foolish and witless. Why is he so angry? He is furious because he has heard that they are considering getting circumcised. He thinks they are out of their minds after all that has happened to assure that they are fully part of the body of Christ without needing to follow the rules and laws of the Jews. Paul reminds them that they were saved by the Spirit, not by following the law. Having started out inspired by the Spirit of God do they now want to backtrack? This is Paul’s challenge to them.
This passage shows Paul’s frustration. He has spent his ministry working for a unity of Spirit embracing both Jewish and Gentile followers of Jesus and here the Galatians seem to be throwing all this effort away. Paul's point is that the gospel is for all God’s children without distinction.
To Ponder:
- If Paul had not resisted the pressure for Gentile Christians to conform to Jewish laws, what do you think would have been the outcome for Christianity?
- Have we and our churches been guilty of 'back-tracking'?
Prayer
All-loving God, inspire us, we pray, with such love and care for our fellow human beings that we never erect barriers or create regulations that prevent a fully inclusive Church. Amen.