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.