Galatians: Week 5

Galatians 2:3-10
Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you. As for those who seemed to be important - whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not judge by external appearance - those men added nothing to my message. On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jews. For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles. James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews. All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

Well, the sad fact is that I didn’t even memorize one verse from this week. I did catch up on the previous week and practiced saying everything I knew (Galatians 1:1 - 2:2), but I missed week five. The message today at church encouraged me, though. Although the pastor spoke in a slightly different context, he said that living out the Christian life is hard. We can have the knowledge of what we’re supposed to do in our heads and yet fail to do it - and still be Christians. I know I should memorize Scripture. I know I should be going deeper in God’s Word and with Him. But sometimes I still don’t do it - even though I desire to do so. I am easily distracted. And I’m selfish and lazy. While all of these things are not acceptable excuses, I also can’t deceive myself and others into thinking I’m a perfect Christian. (I know, you’re shocked!) I struggle with making God a priority in my life and many times I struggle with not making it seem like to others that He is. I don’t have it all together, I can’t be a “good” Christian. I guess that’s yet another reason why I need Jesus. I pray this week will be better, that I will set my mind on things above and my heart on my Savior. I hope you’re able to do the same.