“Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.”
Galatians 1:4–5 (NLT)
Maybe it’s just me, but I think Paul is overwhelmed with gratitude right here. He was thankful for the gift of Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross. Gratitude flowed out of him because he knew what it meant to be rescued. In my life, it’s been easy to take Jesus for granted. The further we get from the decision to give our life to Jesus, the easier it is to forget the cross and the price He paid for us.
But Paul shows us here what the cross should stir in our hearts – to give all praise and glory to God forever. Gratitude should never fade, because what Jesus did for us never loses its power. The cross wasn’t just an event in history; it’s the reason we can live free today.
Paul was empowered to provide correction to the Galatians because his gratitude for Jesus gave him perspective. He wasn’t motivated by pride or personal authority. His words came from a heart anchored in the reality of what Jesus had done for him. That same gratitude can fuel us to live boldly and humbly at the same time.
So let me ask you: what is your gratitude for the cross causing you to do? Gratitude should overflow into action—into worship, obedience, service, and love. The cross doesn’t just save us; it transforms us.