Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.

I am as far from being a cook as one can get.  I can do a sandwich, pizza, hotdog, or soup out of a can.  That’s my menu.  If anything, I’m just trying to read the label.    

The same can't be said about the Gospel that Paul was preaching. Open the Gospel and add nothing.  It doesn't need any help or need any sides.  Paul sounds a little uppity in verse 6 when he says, “But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me: God shows no partiality) – well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me”.  There are two really big statements here. 

• Men who he admired and looked up to had nothing to add.  It’s not that he didn’t value them.  It's just that they could not add to the Gospel God had given him.  Sounds like something I should remember.  I can already hear God saying, “Hey Ron, I've got a really good plan for you. Take a look.”  "I don’t know God, I was talking to Uncle Billy the other day and he suggested this." Really? Uncle Billy has nothing to add to the plan God has for me, no matter how smart Uncle Billy is. Quit looking for an easier fix. Stick with the plan. 
  
• Paul knows that God is not impressed by titles. And why should he be? We sing about God having no rival, no equal. I have given this a lot of thought lately. Just try to imagine a comparison in your mind. It's kind of like when you are looking for something on Amazon and it gives you a comparison of a few items.  Where would you even start?  What god, prophet, or teacher can you even begin to compare His features to?  Let’s see who all compares. Who else healed the blind, deaf, and lame? Who else raised the dead? You cannot even come up with a category to even begin the comparison.   
  

As believers, it should only make us jump for joy that God in heaven does not sit and think about our past sins on planet Earth. If He did, I would be in big trouble.  There would be a long line in front of me at the Pearly Gates. Instead, he looks at us and extends His grace. Max Lucado paints a great picture in his book, "Grip of Grace." He talks about the life and death of Jeffrey Dahmer, one of the most vile serial killers. I will spare you the details, but trust me, he's not who you'd want for a neighbor.  But, according to James Dobson, who had a lengthy interview or two with him before his death, Dahmer had genuinely repented, accepted Jesus, and was baptized. Sins washed, soul cleansed, and past forgiven.  And you know what, he got the same welcome in heaven as Billy Graham. I know what you might be thinking. "Just doesn’t sound fair."  It’s not. It’s grace.

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Who are you not befriending at work/school because they just don’t quite meet your standards?
• Who are you spending too much effort to socialize with because of who they are?
• Ask God to let you see them as He sees them.
• To continue studying the book of Galatians, head over to the Unschooled & Ordinary podcast. A NEW episode is out now! Join the podcast team as they continue to unpack the Book of Galatians in the episode, "6 | Galatians."
• Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your grace that looks past titles and reputations! Help me to do the same for others and see them the way You see them. Open my eyes and heart to those around me. In Jesus' name, Amen.