From Self to Savior: The Transformative Power of Faith
The apostle Paul’s journey from a self-centered “religion of I” to a faith-driven life in God is a powerful testament to the transformative power of the gospel. As he recounts in Galatians 1, his years of persecuting the Church were marked by a misguided zeal fueled by selfish motives and a rigid adherence to legalistic Judaism.
The Dangers of a Self-Centered Faith
When we prioritize our own interests and desires above all else, we hinder our effectiveness as Christians and distort our priorities. This “religion of I” is inherently opposed to the community-driven nature of the Church, which requires commitment, involvement, and a willingness to put others before ourselves. Instead of asking “What’s in it for me?”, we should be asking “What can I give?”.
The Folly of Competition and Zeal Without Knowledge
The “religion of I” is also marked by a competitive spirit, where individuals strive to outdo one another in their pursuit of spiritual superiority. However, this approach is ultimately vain, as it seeks to impress others rather than pleasing God. Furthermore, this zeal without knowledge can lead to destructive consequences, such as conflict and division.
A Better Way: Zeal for the Gospel
The solution to this self-centered approach is not a relativistic tolerance or a vague “anything goes” attitude, but rather a zeal for what is good and godly. As Christians, we should be passionate about spreading the gospel and living out our faith with love and compassion.
Living on the Side of Faith
By the power of the Spirit, we must strive to live on the side of the faith of God, rather than being driven by our own self-interest. This requires having Christ revealed in our hearts, minds, and feelings, so that our wills are set upon God, not ourselves. As pastor Josh Moody emphasizes, we must have a deep understanding of the gospel of justification by faith alone, as proclaimed in Galatians, and seek to live out this truth in our daily lives.
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