Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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The Supremacy of the Word of God
Galatians 1:6-9
 

Varghese Thomas
Long Island MTC, New York

6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
 

Paul was amazed at the speed with which some people were rejecting the gospel they first believed. In verse 12, he asserts the authenticity of his message, “I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ”. His gospel was that “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15: 3 – 4).
Perversion of gospel was not limited to Paul’s time. Over the years since then, the news of salvation has been turned into different gospel messages. Various teachings have sprung up from time to time. Redemption through and by the grace of Christ has unfortunately turned into redemption through and by the giving of money to church. Martin Luther questioned the prevalent teachings and practices of his time, which led to the reformation movement.
Often, people make the simple good news of Christ very complicated and complex. They reduce the gospel to a set of traditions, rituals, rules, procedures, and regulations, thus burdening believers. Jesus obviously disliked this when he spoke about the Pharisees: “they tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders…” Mathew 23:4. The truth of gospel is meant to set us free of sin and guilt, not meant to keep us in a perpetual state of inadequacy and unworthiness.
As we celebrate Reformation Sunday, let us keep in mind the true gospel and the good news preached by Jesus. Let us focus on God who called us to live in the grace of Christ.

PRAYER

We thank You God that You so loved the world that You gave Your one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Please help us to believe this truth and spread this good news. Amen

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
“What is impossible with man is possible with God”. Luke 18:27

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