Galatians 1

A different Gospel. I'm very curious as to what exactly Paul is referring to. What was off? I've been talking a lot with friends recently who have noticed that the gospel we often hear preached here in the American church has mutated into something weaker. Not quite the pure DNA that we see at the end of the gospels and the very beginning of Acts. To the roots Paul is referring to here. Straight from the direct revelation from Jesus Himself.

So what's different about the 21st century version? Well, to some degree, our message has become sterile. Within the genetic code of the gospel is the message of grace through Christ. And we're pretty good about that part. But an inseparable piece is the command to go make disciples. To reproduce. To be fruitful and multiply. Many people are accepting grace through faith but are satisfied to be a big fat juicy grape dangling in the sun. Jesus commissioned us to be fruitful. But it seems our efforts aren't turning out fruit, we're cultivating seedless grapes. We're failing to make a part of our message the requirement to bear fruit.

And so we get fatter and riper. But you know what happens? The unharvested fruit falls off and gets rotten. Let's meditate on exactly how we can communicate the pure message of the gospel with it's power (freedom from sin through Christ's blood) and it's purpose (evangelism and discipleship). I'm seeking God to learn how I can make this integral in our programming and curriculum and planning. If you're not going to pray for what it means to you, please go ahead and at least pray for me then. :)