Don't Get Sucked In

Daily Reading: Galatians 4

Scripture Focus: How can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? (Galatians 4.9)

Devotional Thought: In the name of setting people free from tyranny, many threaten to "cancel" those who do not submit to their worldview.  This "cancel culture" is tyrannical over politicians, businesses, and celebrities.  It would be comical if it weren't so tragic.

Did you know that Christians have to deal with tyrannies that threaten them as well?  What tyrannies are we drawn to?

·       Legalism is a tyrant that sucks all the vitality out of our faith relationship with Jesus Christ.  Enslaved to legalism we no longer depend upon him.  

·       On the other hand, antinomianism (Don’t you like that fine theological word?  It means “lawlessness.”) dishonors God and sullies our spiritual lives.  And, without some sort of "rules" we risk making Christ the partner of sin.

·       There is the tyranny of bigger is better-ism – that in order to be an effective Church or Christian we must have large ministries and large churches.

·       What about the tyranny of egoism – demanding that the Church and its ministries be tailored to meet my “felt needs”?  After a generation of seeker-sensitive hype, we have produced a Church that is all about me.  We have become consumers of religious products, not followers of the One who tells us to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow him. 

·       Emotionalism or sensationalism – seeking a particular feeling, experience, or expression in worship - can become a tyrant in our lives.

·       The tyranny of relevantism – insisting on making the Church relevant to the world instead of living out kingdom values in the world - shapes the message after the times rather than the Truth.

Don't get sucked into these or any other tyrannies.  “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free!” (Galatians 5.1)

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for setting me free from the tyranny of sin, of shame, of guilt, and of death.  Help me to live life abundantly, confidently, and freely because of what you have done for me.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 98.1-9

1 Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.

2 The LORD has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.

3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

5 Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody!

6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD!

7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it!

8 Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together

9 before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.