Thursday, March 26, 2009

Stick with it!

"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by 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." (Galatians 1.6-7)
"Stick to it! There are many philosophies, world views, and religious systems in the world. Hold on to the gospel that you have heard from your mother and I and the Church!" Such advice has been handed down generation after generation in Christian families and my wife and I join that long line as we advise our sons today.
That's the scary thing about being a parent: you can strive to raise your child(ren) in the faith, but in the end, it is their decision. The Bible does give us hope in this Scripture: "Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray." (Proverbs 22.6)
It is the same with us adult Christians. Daily, we are exposed to limitless philosophies, world views, even other religious teachings through the mass media, internet, etc. Ancient Galatia was no different. No, they did not have mass media and the internet but there was no shortage of philosophies, world views, and religions. Paul encouraged the Galatians and us to hold fast to the pure gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ. One big purpose of the Church is to help us hold to that which was given to us: Jesus as Lord and Savior!

No comments: