What Really Matters

Today I enjoyed a visit from Carey Coffey the Executive Director of Teen Challenge of the Rocky Mountains. It was good to connect and hear of some reports of what is happening in the various programs. After lunch and a nap, I followed up on some job opportunities and got ready for an HOA Board meeting this evening. With the way my day went, I actually missed my normal workout routine.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “The important thing is faith—the kind of faith that works through love”. Galatians 5:6

Paul is confronting a false “good news” that was challenging the Galatians that related to the importance of following the law. The focal point of the contention was over circumcision. Circumcision was an important part of God’s covenant with Abraham. It would be a physical  sign of his offspring that would be as numerous as the stars. However, as a requirement for being right with God, it wasn’t necessary.

As I consider this, I am reminded of the friendship connection I made with the wife of Denver’s premier Rabbi. She was a State Senator and I supported her in maintaining funding for circumcision for children on Medicaid even though it was viewed by many as waste of money.

Outside of any present day medical pros and cons, we do know it is not an important matter when it comes to our spiritual life. We are “made right with God through faith in Christ and no obeying the law.”

As Paul continues his discourse he says what really matters is, “faith, expressing itself through love.” Our love for others is our faith in action. Faith does not result in arrogance, but in humble gratitude for what Christ has done for us. Some of the Galatians were missing the point and seemed to feel, “great no law, no rules.” Paul become emphatic he says,

God called you to be free, but do not use your freedom as an excuse to do what pleases your sinful self. Serve each other with love. (Gal. 5:13)

Sin is self-centered, Christ is other-centered. The law brings people into bondage and discouragement, faith brings hope and freedom to serve Christ and others through love.

Faith in Christ allows the words of the prophet to be fulfilled, “This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the LORD: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” (Heb. 10:16)

To this end Paul says, “Live by following the Spirit. Then you will not do what your sinful selves want… But if the Spirit is leading you, you are not under the law.” (Galatians 5:16-18)

God’s Spirit in us, gives us the strength to do what the law is not able to do…live right with God. And that “seed” of the Spirit in our life produces a harvest of fruit,

“…the Spirit produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control..Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their own sinful selves. They have given up their old selfish feelings and the evil things they wanted to do. We get our new life from the Spirit, so we should follow the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:22-25)

Faith, hope and love…that is what really matters, and that is what trust in Christ brings into our life.