Bible Passage: “Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16 NIV)
Scripture Reading: Galatians 5:7-12
Have you ever been boating only to realize your rudder has been steering you the wrong way?
There are many historical accounts of polarized ship crews committing mutiny when they disagreed with the captain’s choice of direction.
Of all the places we experience a polarized world, the Church should not be one of them.
And yet, it can be one of the most painful environments where this happens.
Jesus’ plan for the Church is simple:
Love God. Love others. Make disciples. Live in unity. (e.g., Matthew 22:37-39; Matthew 28:18-20; John 17:20-23; etc.).
But, of course, human beings find a way to make it difficult.
The Apostle Paul was a man who saw how a church’s rudder can steer in the wrong direction. In fact, he wrote a whole letter about it to the Galatians.
He knew the Gospel he had preached to Galatians, the Gospel of the grace of Christ and faith in Him alone, but then he found out that someone had been preaching a different gospel.
And the church’s rudder had turned towards it.
How did Paul respond?
He calls for those teachers to be “under God’s curse” (Galatians 1:8-9).
That’s a strong statement! Paul was angry!
But he said it like that, “…so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for (them).” (Galatians 2:5).
And:
“…if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” (Galatians 2:21)
He goes on to ask them a question:
“But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces?” (Galatians 4:9, emphasis added).
In other words: “Church! Turn in the right direction!”
Men, we have a task to do in the Church: Make sure the rudder is steering the right direction.
This may mean we ask questions, have tough conversations, and confront certain decisions.
But do it in unity, not in mutiny, so that the truth of the Gospel can be preserved in you, because Christ died for you and His Church.
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for Your Church. And thank You for my church. Help me to have the discernment I need to help the church, and the grace to do it in unity. Amen.
Reflection: Are you involved in your church in a way that people know you care about them and your church? Find a way to foster greater unity rather than mutiny in your church.
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