Our Point of Departure

At some point, our maturity in the Lord will reach an important and life-changing point. At that point, we will finally decide that all this world has to offer us is a lie, and we must initiate a departure from its false promises.

In the closing verses of Galatians, Paul shared something that motivated his life and how he lived: “As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died” (Galatians 6:14). This was Paul’s point of departure. He left behind his interest in this world so that he could reach the world with the Gospel.

Paul then revealed why he made that departure, “May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God” (vs. 16). A “new people” are those who have made that departure and now live in freedom from the luring effect of the flesh.

God’s peace and grace come to those who live by faith, not human performance. Our point of departure is choosing to live a life of that kind of faith. Anything else is a form of bondage.

Paul opened his letter with these strong words, “I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ” (1:6-7).

Paul’s strong words need to be understood by the Church today if we want to remain tethered to God’s truth and have a greater impact in His Kingdom.

At some point, each of us will have to decide that this world and all its promises of false hope and fulfillment are a lie. If our faith is to represent Jesus and His freedom, we need to depart from the false hopes and promises of earthly fulfillment. Only by living a life of faith, under the influence and guidance of the Spirit, can we experience true freedom.

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This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Garris Elkins

Featured Image by Claudio Scot from Pixabay

About the Author

Garris Elkins is a Kingdom Winds Contributor. He and his wife, Jan, serve the global Church through writing, speaking, and mentoring. They live in southern Oregon, tucked away in the foothills of the Rogue Valley. Their shared desire is to have each person learn how to hear the heart of God and become a transforming voice in their culture.

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