This is the initial quesion in the book of Galatians. Paul points out that this shift is often subtle because even Peter drifts.  It may sound like no big deal, but it is the difference in living in a daily growing relationship versus living for God’s approval and love.  It may sound like a difference in motivation, but the real danger is what this begins to communicate to those outside of a relationship with Jesus.

I wasn’t real clear with this illustration this past Sunday so let me try to explain this again.  You can even try this within your home.  I picked a father and son to help illustrate and then I asked the son three questions:

1. How long have you been in your father’s life?

2. What are two or three things that your Father asks you to do or you know he wants you to do that will bring him joy?

3. What is your most memorable experience with your dad?

I wanted to help people see that there are expectations with any relationships, but the relationship begins at birth (not whether we the expectations are lived out of not).  There is a difference in trying to check something off the list or spending time with that person.  Everytime the greatest memory was shared it never had anything to do with the list.  Does it mean the list was bad?  No, it just meant that the relationship was greater than living for a list.  The conviction is that you could live for the list and still miss the relationship.

You and I live with lists.  Do you have a never ending to do list at work?  What about the to do list at home?  Does it ever feel impossible to catch up?  How easy is it to slip into a to do list relationship with your spouse or your kids?  If we are not careful, we will resort to doing things to earn a relationship instead of enjoying the relationship before our face.

I sit down with couples often in crisis to language like “I have fallen out of love” or “I don’t feel the way I once did for her/him”.  I wonder if the relationship turned into a check the box list instead of life pursuing relationship.  Jesus did not come to earth, die on the cross, and resurrect from the dead so that we might live a check the box relationship with God.  We cannot add to the cross!  Salvation is made complete in Jesus!  Once we receive God’s grace and forgiveness, we are now living for Jesus not salvation!

Paul’s testimony: “But when God, called me by his grace (justification), was pleased to reveal his Son in me (regeneration) so that I might preach him among the Gentiles (good works).” Galatians 1:15-16

Paul lived because of salvation, not for salvation!