Week Five - Day 7
Today's Reading
Galatians 3:19--6:18
Paul still has some harsh words for the Galatians as he
moves through his arguments against what he sees as backsliding within their
faith. “I am afraid that my work for you
may have been wasted” (4:11), and “I wish those who unsettle you would castrate
themselves” (5:12). One has to wonder
how a congregation of today would react if it’s preacher said such things from
the pulpit on Sunday morning? I don’t
think they would be shaking hands at the door saying “Nice sermon, pastor.”
On the other hand, there are the words of Paul’s words that
have rung down through the ages: “As many of you as were baptized into Christ
have clothed yourselves with Christ.
There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there
is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”
(3:27-28). Paul may have chastised the
Galatians regarding their turning to the rules of the Law rather than relying
upon God’s grace, but he also reminds them of the eternal promise once given to
Abraham and now available to all through Christ Jesus. “For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again
to a yoke of slavery” (5:1).
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