Daily Devotional for Wednesday, December 11

Paul and the Legalizers

"And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: to whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you;' Galatians 2:4, 5.

A lady went to the doctor because she had a recurrent pain in her index finger. When the doctor entered the exam room, he asked her what was going on with her. She took her pointer finger and repeatedly tapped her forehead and told him confidently, "It hurts my finger every time I do this." To which the doctor simply replied, "Well, stop doing that." As simple as that solution sounds, sometimes the most basic solution is the best one.

Unfortunately, Paul faced false teaching in many places, and the Galatian churches were no exception. Apparently, one of the commonly taught lies by the Judaizers insisted on the need for circumcision for someone to be saved (Acts 15:1). Sadly, we see a similar lie taught today by false teachers-that someone must be baptized to be saved. Paul said these false brethren came in secretly to cause problems and spread heresy. Paul's response was just as direct as the doctor's in the story above. He did not even consider their false teachings for a moment. He recognized the false teachers and stood up to their heretical teachings.

We live in ahypersensitive society that is full of defensive people just waiting for someone to offend them. Paul did not mind offending the heretics. Remember alie is alie no matter who is telling the lie. It does not matter if the liar is the best dressed preacher in town or the most polished politician or the most religious zealot alive. As simple as it sounds, if it is not the truth, it isalie.

CHALLENGE
If you are aware of false teaching in your church or other environments, do not be afraid to speak out in defense of the truth.

Chris Floyd