For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.” Galatians 5:6
Sometimes the main thing gets lost. I am one of those people that likes things with my things. You know, I like a few French fries with my ketchup. I am fond of a little pie with my ice cream and of course I prefer a little lettuce with my bleu cheese dressing. Oh, and I like a little taco with my cheese too. Yup, I do like things with my things but there is one thing that I like just the way it is…and that is my coffee.
You see, I learned a long time ago that for me black coffee is the only way to drink it. I like my coffee black, rich, and strong. It is hard to put my finger on it but there is just something about hot, black coffee that warms the soul. I know a lot of people would beg to disagree. They, like me with several of my food groups, prefer a little coffee with their sugar and or cream. While sugar is generally sugar, the choices of creams are as varied as flowers in a garden. I know my wife Judy’s favorite is “Sweet Italian Cream” and with a name like that…who couldn’t, wouldn’t like it!
The problem, at least from my perspective, is that amid all that sugar and flavoring, the coffee gets lost. Often people find out they don’t really like coffee, they like all the stuff that goes in it. You might say, the main thing just gets lost, and I guess if that works for you…that’s ok. But now what about Jesus’ stuff?
When it comes to Jesus’ stuff, His teaching, and writings, it is a must that we keep the main thing the main thing. We are great at doing a whole bunch of religious stuff and forgetting or ignoring the most important. Paul wrote a few words about this in Galatians 5:6 the last part when he said, “What is important is faith expressing itself in love.” In other words, all those made-up rules and traditions pale when compared to the love of Christ. Two things stand out—he was right, and it is true.
In the first part of that verse Paul says, “For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised.” In other words, when we get Jesus, it is time for the religious fluff to fly and the Jesus stuff to stick and stick tight. Well, anyway, how you do your coffee is all about personal preference but how we live out our relationship with Jesus, well, that is a different matter. If you need some insight, might I suggest spending some time with the One that matters and in His Word. He would be glad to meet with you. You can always trust Him…He’s got this.
Bro. Dewayne
Grits with Grace 