There is a hymn whose
opening line is, “I love to tell the
story, of unseen things above. Of Jesus and
his glory, of Jesus and his love. I love
to tell the story, because I know ‘tis true; it satisfies my longing, as
nothing else can do.” The refrain
continues with: “I love to tell the
story, twill be my theme in glory, to tell the old, old story, of Jesus and his
love.” True or truth – what is true
or truth today? With competing messages
and spun narratives on every news channel or billions of individual
perspectives typed out on Twitter, you have to wonder what is true. I know there are times when I struggle with
the question, “what is the truth?”
I participate in several
different conversation groups with church members, colleagues, friends, and
family. On more than one occasion, a
participant has seized the platform to state something as if it is gospel
fact. However, I recall hearing a
different side or other facts that draws into question their version or adds nuance
to the story. Whose story, whose account
is true and whose is false? This gets
even more fun when it comes to a couple who share the same experience, but do
not recall the same facts about the moment.
Is one partner’s recollection of the facts truer than the other’s or
simply complementary?
Paul influenced many
people by sharing the message of God’s love made known in the death, burial,
resurrection, and ascension of Jesus, God’s son. Jesus was God’s sacrificial gift of love that
makes us right with God for the purpose of loving God and loving others. Paul shared this message in a number of
places including a region called Galatia.
This resulted in the establishment of churches in the Galatian area. Then as Paul did, he moved on. Later, a group of Jewish-Christian
missionaries, possibly from Jerusalem, came in and told the people that they
had to follow aspects of Judaism in order to truly be saved. They must submit to the law of circumcision,
practice other aspects of Torah law, and follow the Jewish festival calendar
and observances. Adherence to the law
and practices of Judaism were true signs of God’s salvation. For the Galatians who were Gentiles that grew
up under pagan influence, practices and rituals seemed normal so they adopted
the message and requirements of the missionaries. Somehow Paul got wind of what had happened which
is the occasion for the letter to the Galatians. He tells them that the law will enslave them
to a theology of working for your salvation, which is not the truth of the
gospel. The true message of the gospel
is liberation from our works by the work of Jesus Christ. Through his faithfulness, we are free to
pursue a deeper relationship with God and a more loving relationship with our
neighbors. No amount of works will make
us righteous – only the pursuit of loving God and others. Unfortunately, we do not know if Paul was
successful in convincing the Galatians however, I hope he is successful in
convincing us.
I invite you to take time
and read each of the scriptures above as you move to reflect on the questions
below. Consider the practices you inhabit
with the purpose of intimately knowing and living God. Lastly, I pray that God bless the reading of
God’s Word and the meditations of your heart.