Ahhhhhh… Finally a message that begins to resonate within me. If Christianity was all law, I don’t know that I could bear it. Galatians 5:6 is a welcome gift. The one thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. There are times when I think laws would be easier. If everything was clear cut – do this, do that, yes, no, right, wrong, bad, good – I have days when that seems simpler. But Paul has me convinced. It would not be better, and I would never be faithful (did you read some of those laws!), never measure up to the law. Love is challenging and not simple, but it is freeing and uplifting and draws me ever closer to God.

Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heaven, to earth come down;

Fix in us thy humble dwelling; all thy faithful mercies crown!

Jesus, thou art all compassion, pure, unbounded love thou art;

Visit us with thy salvation; enter every trembling heart.

Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit into every troubled breast!

Let us all in thee inherit; let us find that second rest.

Take away our bent to sinning; Alpha and Omega be;

End of faith, as its beginning, set our hearts at liberty.

Come, Almighty to deliver, let us all they life receive;

Suddenly return and never, nevermore thy temples leave.

Thee we would be always blessing, serve thee as thy hosts above,

Pray and praise thee without ceasing, glory in thy perfect love.

Finish, then, thy new creation; pure and spotless let us be.

Let us see thy great salvation perfectly restored in thee;

Changed from glory into glory, till in heaven we take our place,

Till we cast our crowns before thee, lost in wonder, love, and praise.

               (Charles Wesley, written in 1747)