Lenten Reader | Day 21

This happens to be one of my husband’s favorite verses because it sums up his testimony succinctly. I have heard him quote it many times, and while it always impresses me, I had no idea of its context from Galatians 2.

Paul admits in earlier verses that he had called Peter out for expecting Gentiles to follow Jewish customs, even though they both knew that being Jewish was not what saved them. As Paul loves to do, he gave a long comparison between those who put their faith in the Jewish law, which had turned into a complex system of rigid rules, and those who believe that only Christ Jesus’s death on the cross justifies us before God. In verse 20 he firmly plants his flag!

Do you know someone who has been a Christian for a long time and is hiding behind an unbending system of “how it has always been done in our church?” These folks often lack joy and grace and appear to be robotically going through the motions. Contrast that with a life-long Christian who still tears up at the thought of what Jesus did for them on the cross. Their daily connection with God reminds them of how little their actions contribute to their own salvation; it is only Christ’s work in them that gives their life eternal value. This thankfulness and humility actually describe many older people in our church, and we would do well to learn from them the mystery of having "your life hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3).

Let’s not drift backwards to the false security of dos and don’ts which Jesus died to free us from. Rather let us join Him each day for an adventure of faith with the One who loves us!

Theresa Manchester