I Marvel...

October 9, 2022

In Galatians 1:6 the Holy Spirits says, “I marvel that you are so soon

removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another

gospel:”. Perhaps you, like the Holy Spirit, are surprised when a brother or

sister refuses to give or receive grace. Such behavior seems to go against

nature, but there are some babies that reject food and some who are

antisocial, wanting nothing to do with fellowship. Such behavior is usually

an attention getting tool which often fails, disrupts, and separates. Very

often the child is further alienated in his or her efforts, never taking

responsibility, never healing, and always blaming. This approach to life

guarantees that such persons are doomed never to get better. Saint Paul

nails the true fact as well as the only solution when he says, “You are

removed from Him”. Wanting approval and praise from men is perverted.

Grace comes to you from the Lord and is to be given to others by the

faithful. To receive the grace of God and not extend the same, for personal

gain, to those who have suffered is very immature and childlike. What you

are experiencing, self-aggrandizement, is destructive to one and all. No

one can continue on this track long without becoming a trainwreck,

crashing into others, and blaming others – all the while constantly

chipping away at self. Getting back to Christ and imitating his grace is our

only hope when we are overcome with subjectivity and wondering, ‘why

me?’. It would be well if we could “forget the past and press on to the high

calling that is Christ Jesus”, but that requires more maturity,

responsibility, obedience than children have. So, parents like Paul must

write to the Galatians saying, “Be loyal to Jesus and forgive all others as

he has forgiven you”. It is time to grow up, speak up, and quit listening to

yourself. Listen only to the gospel, the good news, and quit spreading the

bad if you really expect to be respected. Be delighted to serve with Christ

as your example: doing God’s will and not your own. Soon you will be

happy!

Dr. Kenneth E. Morrison