Countdown to Christmas – Day 9

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Galatians 1:6-10

In the Republic of Columbia there exists a vibrant and growing community of Christians. Souls by the millions are converting to Christ standing firm upon the foundation of His gospel of truth while battling a history of oppression and violence. Churches- some in the tens of thousands- gather to hear the Word offering full-hearted worship before God.

One of the greatest ironies of this rapidly growing evangelical culture is the fact that they heavily train missionaries sending them to North America to share an untainted gospel. Their mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus in its purest form in a culture greatly believed to desire instant gratification and ‘feel good’ messages.

Christ’s message to us, His church, is not one to help us feel good about who He is but challenge us to accept who He says He is. He is the Son of God. The prophesied Messiah. The Alpha and the Omega. The One God sent to save the world. Acceptance is not about now we react in a situation or circumstance, but rather how we respond to the adversities of which we face.

Do we accept the gospel in the purest form or do we seek a gospel pleasing to our soul? For feeling pleased and feeling peace are two very different things to the Jesus we encounter in the scriptures. When life appears to become complicated, truths muddled together with no clear vision, may we be reminded we need not turn to man, but turn to the only One who preached in the purest form. Christ.

Father, when I am tempted to be drawn to what seems lovely but simply isn’t of the gospel, may I remember that all that is good, and pure, and lovely, and true… comes only from you. May the thoughts of my mind and the actions of my hearts be pleasing to your gospel of truth. In Jesus name, amen.