WEDNESDAY January 20, 2021
Bold Truth Before God
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.)
Galatians 1:18-20
For three years, Paul remained in the desert of Arabia spending time with God––getting to know God intimately. Afterwards, Paul decided to leave to see Peter in Jerusalem. He did not preach to Peter; he came to visit with him and share with him for fifteen days what God had done. Then he went to see James, the Lord’s brother, who wrote the epistle of James, and who was elected to be the overseer of the church in the city of Jerusalem.
Paul preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ with unabated boldness and without compromise. He proclaimed justification by faith. I have sought to do the same, to preach the Gospel with boldness––justification by faith. I have never liked man-made tradition, especially when people are so head-strong with stiffness in their attitudes and in everything they believe. I am really concerned for people who do not know the truth.
I know it is God who makes a person righteous before Him, through His grace. It is a personal relationship with Christ that gains a person entrance into the kingdom of God. It is important to understand, man-made traditions do not save a person! Traditions in the Catholic Church, such as lighting candles, praying to idols, making the sign of the cross, and repetitive praying of the Rosary will not save a person. When a person comes to Christ, they are free––no longer do they need traditions. I desire to keep the grace and mercy of God foremost in my life.
Like Paul, it is good to spend quality time alone with God. Study so you can be rooted and grounded in God’s Word––in discipleship. The best way to understand the Gospel is to read the Bible. It is no ordinary book––it is God’s holy Word.
Our Lord Jesus Christ called himself the Truth not the Custom.
~Tertullian~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!