08-25-21

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING
August 25, 2021
Scripture: Galatians 1:6-7
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.

Thought for the Day: There are some folks who have a wonderful ability to challenge or confront without really upsetting people. It is usually found in their sweet-tempered approach, often beginning with words of celebration or accolades for what has been done as a way of softening things up just a bit. And then, ever so gently, pointing out where some modest modifications might be considered. The Apostle Paul did not take a course on the gentle approach. After speaking beautiful words about the grace of God in the opening verses, he then unleashes on the Galatians. He doesn’t point out some areas for improvement or a place where a slight adjustment could help. He is brutal and straight forward, but that’s because they’ve lost sight of the most central part of the faith. They’ve made (or have followed others who have done so) the Gospel into something it was not, and then followed this “perversion” of the Gospel. Before the pandemic, I was working with a group of folks on writing their own definitions of the Gospel (the Good News). As they read scripture and prayed, experienced the grace of God in worship and fellowship, and as they witnessed the saintly acts of self-giving love, they began to form a short definition of the Gospel, one they could easily expand upon if asked. Too often people use a pithy saying or quote as their definition, but then asked to expound upon it, they are left perplexed because it was never personal. It was more like an academic definition one needed to memorize for some test, but had no personal or intimate witness to offer. Tell me your own story or something you personally witnessed that changed your life, and then tie it back to the Jesus who healed the broken, loved the outcast and subverted the unjust systems of the world. If we want to change the world, we need to offer some genuine Good News that captures the hearts and imaginations of others.

Prayer: Gracious God, there are so many, some intentionally and some unintentionally, who have perverted the Gospel of Jesus. They have used it for the defense of the most unholy and unkind actions. They have twisted it as a way of giving a blessing to the abuse and dehumanizing of the most vulnerable. They have called upon the name of Jesus, and then done unspeakable things in his name. It happens when we, those who claim to follow Jesus, don’t really know him. Help us, Lord God, to know the Jesus-life, and to grow in our capacity to reflect his life in the choices we make each day. It won’t be easy, but we trust your Spirit’s assistance in this work. Amen.

---

---

via WordPress https://ift.tt/3zcySTQ