Galatians 1:6-10
Reflect
Notice anything different about today’s reading? If you are familiar with Paul’s other writings in the New Testament, he often follows up his greetings with thanksgiving and encouragement. Not so here. Paul immediately calls attention to a shocking revelation: the Galatians have forgotten the grace of Christ and have turned away from the true gospel. Can you hear the surprise and dismay in Paul’s tone? This “different gospel” isn’t just a slight difference of interpretation. Paul is calling it outright wrong. The result is confusion among the believers and condemnation of the ones leading others astray.
We become spiritually deceived when we trust in substitutes for Christ rather than Christ Himself. If we say we need both Jesus and something else (name anything you think you need for a happy and God-pleasing life), we are in danger of idolatry, placing our trust in something other than Christ.
Apply
Take some time to get honest with God. Is there anything that He would highlight in your life, your pattern of thoughts and behaviour, the way you spend your time, that is competing for your trust and affection? Anything that is leading you astray from the grace you received in Christ? Deception isn’t obvious – we aren’t meant to pick up on the reality that we are believing something false. But Holy Spirit leads and guides us into all truth (John 16:13).
Pastor Melissa
Pray
- Pray through the prayer section in our program.
- Pray for our Congregational Life Pastor, Mike Bartusek and his family.
- Pray for Dave Schneider, our Youth and Worship Pastor and Erin Gibbard, Youth Ministry Associate.