Thursday, September 15

"We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified."

‭‭(Galatians‬ ‭2:15-16)

Today's passage reminded me of the great personal sacrifices (and changes) that came about in Paul's life as a result of receiving Christ and giving his life for His glory.  Sometimes, after reading passages many times, we may become jaded or immune to the underlying heart, but the reality of Paul's surrendered heart shone through today.

I have been reading a book on apologetics (the study of supporting the faith through argument and reason), and the personal sacrifices of the early disciples appeared rightly as strong evidence for the validity of the New Testament witness.  Why would people have made such great personal sacrifices, including frequent martyrdom, for something in which they didn't really believe?  What motivated these early disciples to transcend once hard-and-fast cultural boundaries to love people in other lands?  Why would these disciples have abandoned the patterns of their family home in order to embrace the Way?

Paul's example is both the most striking and most reassuring.  Once a persecutor of the Church, zealous for its destruction and the supremacy of the Torah's teachings, he turned dramatically on meeting the Lord Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus.  The words he shares in Galatians, one of his earliest letters, underscores the change of heart that he had overcome.

While our consistent reading of the Scriptures may have dulled us to this point, it is critical to acknowledge that Paul's transformation went well beyond human terms.  Have you ever found yourself confronted with the fact that you are wrong about something?  Not a fun place!  Our pride of being right, whether on moral or mere knowledge grounds, slaps us in the face in these moments.  Given his training, discipline, and great "success" before becoming a believer, Paul would have faced this internal struggle quite violently.  In that light, his trusting in Christ becomes evidently supernatural, where God's intervention helped to heal his heart and mind of misunderstanding.

For us today, how may we greater experience God's love, presence, and power in our lives?  Might we, like Paul, have areas that require a change of heart or mind?  May we all submit our hearts and minds to the Lord Jesus Christ so that He might guide, direct, and change those areas that need refinement?

Lord God, thank You for giving us the example of Paul.  Thank You for using this man to illustrate how we all need humility to undergo changes of heart and mind.  Conform our hearts, minds, and wills to Your desired path for us.  Give us the courage to reject any stuck patterns of thought or action in our lives.  Bring us freedom to love, honor, and serve You freely.  We give You this day as an offering.  In Jesus's Name, amen.