Galatians 1:8-9
Sin is a powerful opponent. Even as a
believer, sin still calls my name. Our culture calls to us constantly, and
yielding to its call will lead us away for Christ. Sometimes its message is
very enticing, sounding almost too good to be true. I hear it in the two sides
of the political debate. Let the government handle it or individual rights to
handle it. If we yield to the government we don’t take responsibility for our
actions. If we insist on the individual we forget we live in a fallen, broken
world. Both government and individuals must play a role in creating and
maintaining a just and civil society.
At the base of this tug of war is the
content of truth. Paul in our passage today lays out the necessity of holding
onto the gospel message in its entirety. Small shifts in the Gospel make huge
impact on the practical outflow in society. For Paul the small shift was the
addition of a “doing” requirement for salvation. Not only did Jesus have to die
for our sins and rise again, but in order for you to get the prize you have to “do”
certain things.
Paul condemns this seemingly small change in
belief and practice in the strongest terms possible. But why? Because it cuts
right at the very heart of the Gospel. Nothing we do, no matter how good,
noble, self-sacrificing, or extraordinary could ever bring God’s favor to us.
Grace requires nothing from our side, or it would not be grace. So when Paul
hears that someone is trying to add works to the equation, he jumps in and
tries to stop it before it goes too far.
In our national debate I am all for
individual freedom, but the problem exists that the individuals do not hold the
same moral standards that would lead to a moral society. Some in our society
believe that other people’s property is theirs, as is evidenced by the recent
spread of “flash” mob lootings and thefts. And of the corporate looting and
robbing. And of the abandonment of responsibility to raise children that you
produce. Whole segments of our society now believe that someone else owes them
something. So they don’t live responsible lives. They use excuses to sponge off
others, or profit off their selfish desires.
For Paul the Gospel is centered on and wholly
dependent of grace. That is what we have to offer to the world. God accepts us
and then changes us because He loves us enough not to let us live selfish,
unproductive lives. He makes us fit to live in line with His character and
being, for that is where we will be for eternity.
