Do you know what’s one of the hardest things to do? To do something different.
Consider the love Paul had for these people. He spent many words encouraging them to remain faithful in Jesus. “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1
Prior to this those following Judaism lived under the law: what to do and not to do. (Let me say even as you look to the law in Deuteronomy, Exodus, and such you will see the law is much more about relationship than following rules). They’d been given liberty, yet they were considering going back to their old ways of doing things. Why? Times were challenging, society was saying to do what they were doing, and they faced persecution from their own families. The journey of faith wasn’t easy for them (and it’s not easy for us either).
When things get tough it gets easy to turn back to what we know or how we’ve handled things in the past. Maybe you can relate? As we start making spiritual decisions and living according to the Spirit it gets tough at times. Let me encourage you, Stand Fast! Keep moving forward! The best way isn’t always the easiest. Just because things get hard don’t turn back to what you’ve done in the past. Turn anew to Jesus. Keep Jesus the focus! You can do it!
- To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.