Astonished!

 

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel.”

Galatians 1:6

Astonished is a pretty strong word for Paul to use but it aptly describes his feeling at those who are being led astray from the solid teaching he had brought while he was with them.

The word astonish is defined as: feeling or showing great surprise or wonder.

Some synonyms include – astounded or amazed.

Often we loudly AMEN! teaching or preaching we are receiving when we are in the midst of the congregation but later, left with our own thoughts or worse yet by receiving teaching contrary (though deceptively presented) to the truth, we find ourselves straying from what ought to be a firm foundation for us.

We trade the house built on a rock for a sandcastle.

Paul had invested much in the Galatian churches so he would not allow the false teachers to run roughshod over those he had discipled and labored over.

It is important that we know those who labor among us shepherd, teachers and leaders and equally important that we search out in scripture for ourselves what we have been taught.

To do so is not to an indication of suspicion of our teachers but it actually honors them because it shows how we esteem the word and what they have taught us.

We need to continue to build on a sure foundation because most sandcastle construction lasts only until the next wave comes crashing ashore.

Go ahead and astonish those who invest in you by showing them your commitment to building on a solid foundation and leave the sandcastles to others!