Substituting the Gospel

Suggested Reading:
Galatians 1:1-10

Key Verse:

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all.
(Galatians 1:6, 7a NIV)

Californians have a reputation for being obsessed with fitness and nutrition. Some restaurants even feature "California Cuisine" which, influenced by the state's health-focused tradition, is typically prepared with fresh ingredients. People who desire the benefit of California Cuisine without the effort and expense of dining out, turn to vitamin or mineral supplements, trend diets and amass great volumes of reading material about being fit.

Even with all those things at their disposal, they aren't healthy. Why? It's because they are ignoring the heart of the matter. They look for shortcuts instead of doing the hard work of living a healthful lifestyle.

People do the same thing on a spiritual level. Instead of opening up God's Word, reading it, and applying it to their lives, they look for shortcuts. Devotional books line their shelves; small inspirational plaques or postcards decorate their cubicles; they do their best to be a presentable Christian, but are really nothing more than a pleasant human being.

There is no adequate substitute for God's Word. There is nothing this world has to offer that can guarantee our eternal security. Only Jesus can do that.

Reflecting Pool

What things do you substitute for God's Word?

How healthy is your spiritual life? What's missing?

What is it that keeps you from spending time reading the Bible?