Living by Faith

PRAYER PRACTICE

Prayer Journal – To begin your daily worship today, grab a pen and paper and write out a prayer to God. Not sure what to write? Try using ACTS to frame your prayer. Begin with adoration for who God is. Then move on to confession – being real about where you have fallen short in the last day or two. Give thanks to God for all that He gives (including forgiveness for the sin you just confessed!). And then finish with supplication – with your prayer requests to God. When you are done, tuck this away somewhere (so you can read it later and see how God has answered your prayers) and then move into hearing from God through His Word.

DAILY READING

 Galatians 1:13-17; 2:11-21

Discussion Questions

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

What can I give him?  Give him my heart
      From Rule Follower to Rebel for Jesus

by Elaine Pierce

What's the last big disagreement you've had with a family member or friend? I know that many families, mine included, have had widely varied responses to the Coronovirus pandemic, and that has caused a lot of tension and friction. I know families have come to blows over their choice in the presidential election. Friendships have been ruined because of politics. And these are just two examples that come to mind.

This never happens in the church, right? Wrong. Our passage for today is an excellent example of how to deal with conflict. How to enfold non-Jews into the saving faith of Jesus quickly became an issue in the early church. Paul strongly disagreed with Peter's approach.  He didn't mince words:

When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. (Gal. 2:11)

Why was it so important to Paul that Gentiles should not be subject to Jewish customs (circumcision, for example)? If Paul had ignored this situation, how would the church be different today?

Our human nature longs for rules to follow. If only we toe the line, and check the boxes, we will earn the right to heaven. Paul clearly knows this - his life before Jesus met him on the Road to Damascus was one that was "extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers"(Gal. 1:14). His encounter with Jesus changed all that. As he studied and grew in his faith, he came to realize that following the law is NOT how we are justified in faith. In fact, if we can earn our salvation, what was the point of Jesus' death on the cross? Read verse 21 aloud and ponder its meaning for your life:

I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!

Yes, we can disagree about how safe we are with and without masks on.  We can think that only voting for our candidate is the right choice. But when it comes to faith in Jesus Christ, there is only one way: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." (Gal. 2:20).

This is not the Christmas season, but I have always loved this poem, and it speaks to today's scripture.  

What can I give him, 

Poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd,

I would bring a lamb.

If I were a Wise Man,

I would do my part.

Yet what can I give Him?

Give him my heart.

Consider: You can't out give God. But you can come to him, offer him your life, and serve him with gladness. What joy there is in following him!