Stubborn Faith

Shina Madison

Paul is one man I would like to sit and have dinner with in heaven just to hear all the stories of before and after his conversion. He lived a very eventful life, to say the least. One character trait I love reading about in Paul’s character is his stubbornness, before and after his conversion. When Paul (or Saul before his conversion) believed what he was doing was right then he was 100% committed to it and had a “by any means necessary” attitude toward his mission. He could care less what people thought about him and his actions. He didn’t ask for permission nor acceptance from the church leaders. I can only imagine what an uproar this caused at that time by the leaders of the church. Since his mission to preach to the Gentiles was such an absurd teaching to the spiritual leaders of that time, I think he had to take such drastic measures. The message that the Gentiles can be part of the family of God was a new teaching at that time that no one could believe to be true.

In Galatians 1 I clearly see the stubbornness of Paul revealed. In this letter, he is talking to the church in Galatia. He shares with them his life and mistakes and then also his new mission and purpose. I admire that even though he was a leader in the church he was humble enough to share his errors with the entire church. He shared about how when he practiced Judaism and “intensely” persecuted the believers. I am sure this story he had to repeat and repeat so that he could be trusted by those in the church and to those he wanted to convert. I aspire to have that level of humility to share my faults no matter how people perceive me.

At my core, I am dependent on my relationships with others. Mainly my friendships with the women in my life. When I feel like my friendships are going well then I am at my best. When I feel like my friendships are on the rocks, then I am a mess! I don’t connect with God. I project on God what I feel towards my friends. This is why I need this reminder in Galatians 1:3-5 it begins by saying “Grace and Peace to you from God and Jesus!” Lord knows as a wife, mom, and business owner I need those two in abundance. I can forget that they come from God and Jesus. Not people, not relationships, not friendships, not sleep, food, or the many other things I can run to for Grace and Peace! God gives me grace and peace so that I can give it to those around me.

In verse 6 Paul goes into the reason for his letter which was how the church has lost sight of the good news of Jesus Christ and his grace. They were being swayed into doing “good” things to be “pure and holy” and forgot that all their purity and holiness came from Jesus alone. This is so true in my own heart today. I can get wrapped up being good and doing good things that I forget that my goodness doesn’t make me Godly. God makes me Godly. Any other belief is from Satan who aims to weaken my faith in Jesus and make me rely on myself or on other people.