“Exclusive!!!”
The relationship and trust which
exist as a result of the gospel being preached and received will undergo
tests. Here, the test comes in the form
of temptation toward religiosity versus truth.
The Judiazers are emphasizing a “need” for Jewish rites in order to be “complete”
in the faith of Jesus. Apparently
Judiazers were setting themselves apart by appearing and presenting themselves
as “holier”. They were making compliance
with Old Testament cultural rites a prerequisite for fellowship. The tactic seemed to be working with the
Galatians. These religious guys were looking like they had a ‘special
connection’ with God.
We may see this as remote from
ourselves, or silly of the Galatians to be taken in by the sham. But think about how you feel when a group of
people seem to have, or be, what you have longed for.
In the case of the Galatians, it
probably began with a good, pure desire to grow in maturity of faith and
relationship with God. These teachers
probably seemed to be the experts.
Surely they wouldn’t be wrong!
And their technique of being just a bit out of reach made their
exclusive status all the more desirable.
This technique can be seen in use
all the time. Think of commercials: both ‘Christian’ and secular promotions love
to use the word “exclusive” referring to something positive and desirable. It is only for certain people, so you better
jump to it if you don’t want to be left out!
On an emotional level, each person wants to be special and that
exclusivity becomes desirable. Once that
status is achieved, rarely does one want to give it up.
But Truth comes along and crashes
that old “exclusive” party. Truth seems
to shout, “Yes, be zealous! Be
radical! Be counter-culture! But be it
all for the sake of the pure gospel! And
remember—not all will receive it, but ALL are welcome!” There is absolutely nothing that we have that
we did not receive from God, so why not extend that wonderful grace without
being exclusive? List some practical
ways you can—without being exclusive--extend God’s love by extending the invitation to a deeper walk
with Him,:
In
friendship ____________________________________________________
In
fellowship ____________________________________________________
In
knowledge ___________________________________________________
In
____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Read and Pray: Malachi
2:10, Luke 10:16, James 1:17, Colossians 2:6-10
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