Funnel and Flow

Text

"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." —Galatians 5:6

Bible Reading

GALATIANS 5:1-6

Devotional

The first readers of the letter to the Galatians argued about the question "What must we do to show that we are really a part of God's people?"

One group said that if a person really wanted to be a member of the people of God, he should keep Moses' laws and submit to the rite of circumcision.

People still argue about the question that bothered the Galatians. True, there aren't many who would say that real Christians should keep all the laws God gave through Moses. But many would say that real Christians must accept regulations and believe "revelations" that have come through recent prophets, leaders, and teachers.

In fact, there is real danger today that we or our children may be led astray by human additions to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Therefore we must stress the simplicity of the gospel and emphasize the heart of the matter. Once we are in Christ Jesus, circumcision means nothing and uncircumcision means nothing—it has no value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

All of us carry some baggage from one tradition or another. And countless vendors on Church Street try to sell us more than we can carry. Now we must remember that the only thing that counts, in Christ Jesus, is to have a faith that is active in love.

Faith is the funnel through which we receive the grace of God in Christ. Faith is nothing but empty and open hands, humble and contrite hearts. Once grace is received, it flows through us in works of love. And love is the power to do God's will. Faith is the funnel, while love is the goods we receive and pass on.

A childlike acceptance of the grace of God (faith) and a lifestyle that expresses the Spirit of Christ (love) is the mark of those who belong to the people of God.

REFLECTIONS

Offer a prayer reflecting the thoughts of this reading, especially the last sentence above.

-----

I didn't even read this entry until just now and it mentions something about praying. Kind of cool isn't it? I just mentioned in my previous blog that I need to get better at praying and being more devoted to that. Looks like I get to do that even now! Pray with me family!

Dear Father in Heaven. What a gracious and merciful Lord you are. We praise you this day for your wondrous works - past, present and future. We give thanks for your unyielding love and grace that covers all our transgressions. Thank you, Father, for being a Father to the fatherless and a constant reminder that you are our true comfort. That when the world fails - we know that you will not. I pray God that you will continue to move in our hearts, build us up in your word and help us to hold dear to the things which you love. God, please break our wretched hearts. Let us weep over what grieves you and help us to pursue that which you love! Please make us less like ourselves and make us more like You. Help us to decrease and you increase in all the aspects/areas of our lives.

Lord, please help us to not get wrapped up in the traditions of this world. While certain traditions have a place in a worship service, help us to always remember the simplicity of the Gospel. Open our eyes and allow us to look at you with the faith You have given us. Help us to hold tight to your grace and remember that we are covered in your blood, we need nothing else. Jesus, Your love never fails us. It covers us when we're at our worst and it covers us when we're doing our best. Please God, help us to raise any children that we may have, whether biological, adopted or simply those children we care for either at work or on Sunday mornings, to love you and to understand that no man can add to Your gospel. Let us show them that we are called by you, given faith that funnels into the grace that You cover us with, which saves us and seals us in the palms of Your hand.

Lord, help us to love. Guide our hearts to love like You love. Father, Your love is amazing. It opens eyes and softens hearts. It speaks life into the lifeless and gives hope to the hopeless. I beg You Father, teach us how to Love. We have been shown grace. Grace that is so undeserved by a wretch like myself. Help us to show that grace to those who are around us, knowing that we are no better than they are. God, help us to love our neighbors as ourself, help us to Love you and follow in your footsteps. Allow us God to do your will, to fulfill the task which you've set before each of us and to do so with haste. Let us continue on in our daily lives with a sense of urgency that there's not much time left, that we need to be about YOUR business and not of our own agenda. Continue to sanctify us. Mold us and make us more like YOU. We love You, Lord. Thank You for this time where we can sit and speak with you. Go before us as we follow you and long to further your kingdom. Amen.