Galatians 1:1 Paul an apostle-- sent neither by human commission nor from human authorities, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead-- 2 and all the members of God's family who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to set us free from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- 7 not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let that one be accursed! 10 Am I now seeking human approval, or God's approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ. 11 For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; 12 for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

I am trying to concentrate each year on one relatively short book of the New Testament to give us focus to our ministry at Emmaus. For this year I have chosen Galatians. I hope you will turn to this epistle frequently during the year. Paul sets forth the life of freedom in Christ over against the life in bondage to the law and our old sinful nature. How can we tell the difference?

What drives us as fallen humans? The perverted gospel always has us thinking about ourselves. Are our needs being met? Are people appreciative of us? Are our families ahead of all the rest? Think of questions we would not share with others but that drive us deep within. God doles out the goodies, like the grocer and baker, banker and boss, and takes out the trash like a good rubbish hauler. What did you GET for Christmas? When can we "fit God in"?

What drives us as Christians? The true gospel turns our attention to our Lord and Savior, moves us to hunger to hear good news. Paul was surprised that the Galatians could know that Good News and yet turn to something else that seemed better. The grace and peace that will last forever drives us to look outward, aware of the troubles but not crushed or dominated by them. Grace and peace is what we are given to GIVE at Christmas. Anyone who promises that you can GET more because you are a Christian is perverting the message. Obey these Christian "rules" and you will be healthy, wealthy, and on the right side with God. How sad to distort Christ thus.

Being a servant of Christ is bound to disappoint those who want the goodies now. Christ frees us from the present evil age. He has picked us to be on His side, forever. We celebrate his coming and his coming again. The gift has been given. Let us continue to be faithful at giving that gift of forgiveness away and spoiling all other answers, for ourselves and others. Let us celebrate how God has "fit us in" to eternity.

In Christ our Lord and Savior,
Pastor Thomas Trapp