“You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? It certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom. This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough! I am trusting the Lord to keep you from believing false teachings. God will judge that person, whoever he is, who has been confusing you. Dear brothers and sisters, if I were still preaching that you must be circumcised—as some say I do—why am I still being persecuted? If I were no longer preaching salvation through the cross of Christ, no one would be offended. I just wish that those troublemakers who want to mutilate you by circumcision would mutilate themselves.”
Galatians 5:7-12 NLT
In todays culture, Paul might have been considered “cancelled,” by the false teachers in Galatia. The progressive and Woke Christians of today would’ve crafted a statement about how they “didn’t mean to offend anyone,” or how they ,”need sensitivity training,” for the other cultures present in Christianity. Instead, we get Galatians, a masterpiece of how to respond to disinformation (read lies). Paul does not double back, but instead doubles down on instruction in theology, history, critique and relationship. This is the example that we have been given. This example authorizes us to do the same. Paul’s response ended up as a valuable resource for the entire Universal Church, throughout history. This is a profound shelf life for a letter written two thousand years ago about a conflict between ideas. If we are clear and kind and right in our love and theology and history with those dissenters of the gospel, imagine what type of impact it might have. We must not shy away in conflicts.
JOSH McGARY. COM 