“For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions” (Galatians 1:13-14).
You have had the experience you have had and it may have taught you what it taught you, but that does not mean that it was right. What is truth? It begins there. When you have found the pearl of great price, go and sell all that you have that you may have what is offered through this great pearl, which is the truth of the Gospel. And what you sell is yourself being the center of things.
In one sense, regardless the time or place, there is great similarity in how we sinful humans live. We want to be the center and we want things to go our way. But the Lord created everything and He is the center and it will be the way He has determined. Be zealous for the Lord and leave behind the human traditions that get in the way (keeping those which help but do not hinder the faith).
Lord Jesus, You have told us in many ways how to live into the life of faith You offer us. Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I would not be hindered by either traditions that contradict the faith, nor my own will which sinfully wants to be in the center. You died for these sins that I would be set free to live into the life You have called us to by Your grace and through faith. Help me to live the new life of faith You give. Amen.
