Monday, July 11, 2011
Galatians 1:1-10 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), and all the brethren who are with me, Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
FREEDOM (1)
Warm weather, green grass, blue waters, and fireworks were all part of the last week and probably will be part of the upcoming months too. Especially in connection with last Monday, our thoughts in the United States were occupied with Independence Day celebrations. The politicians and salesmen tell what America is really all about and many will recall the Revolutionary War and The Declaration of Independence. By it's very title that Declaration calls to mind the reason for which it was written, to claim liberty for all under it's protection. Liberty from tyranny -- liberty from oppression. Liberty for all men, the creed of the United States of America.
There is another document which screams liberty -- liberty at any cost. There is another writing that claims that liberty is the God-given right of every believer: The Epistle to the Galatians. It is the charter document not of just another nation, but the sacred declaration of freedom for the Church, the true Zion, the kingdom of God. "God-given" being the key phrase. Not born with it. Not deserving of it, but given nevertheless by God to all who believe in Christ.
