True Measure

"But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive everything promised to us who are right with God through faith. For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, it makes no difference to God whether we are circumcised or not circumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself through love." Galatians 5:5-6


The last time I took one of our cars to get its oil changed, the dipstick wasn't showing any oil on it at all. One of the crazy things about old cars is they burn oil. The oil change guy gave me a look that said, "They put these dipsticks in the engines so you can check and make sure your car isn't running low on oil ... dipstick." A low manhood moment to be sure. 


In writing this letter to the Galatians, Paul wanted to make sure they were properly equipped to assess the condition of their faith. There were some false and misleading measurements being heralded among them and he needed to set the record straight. It wasn't rule keeping. It wasn't rituals. Self-righteousness was no righteousness at all. According to Paul, the most important measurement of a strong faith was and is love. 


Too many of us want to detach our faith from other people. "It's just between God and me." No, it's not. It's what's between God and us that will motivate us to serve, give to, care for, meet the needs of, and sacrifice for others. The most important measure of our faith is the love we show to the people in our world. Another translation of verse 6 says, "...The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."


Grace and Peace,

 

Tom

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