Daily Devotional for Friday, November 29

The Apostle's Concern

"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel;' Galatians 1:6.

When I was in high school, aclassmate was murdered by someone who tried to steal his truck. I grew up in a small town where murders were extremely rare, even in today's violent environment. I was shocked. This young man sat right beside me in class. One day he was there, and the next day he was gone.

The apostle Paul used the word "marvel" in verse 6. It can be defined as wonder or astonishment. When we think of marveling, we probably think of something amazing that is positive. I have a cousin who has fashioned jewelry and collectible pipes and knives from deer horns. He is incredibly talented, andI always marvel when I see his finished products.

Unfortunately, there is a negative consideration for this word. Paul did not marvel because he was impressed or awestruck; he marveled because he could not believe that these newly converted Christians were already falling for the lies of false teachers. Just as my childhood church struggled to believe someone in our church family could be involved in something as evil as murder, Paul was shocked that these Galatian Christians had so quickly turned their backs on the truth.

JUST A THOUGHT

Would someone in your life be shocked to find out that you go to church or that you are a Christian?

Chris Floyd