The Thrill is Gone

“What has become of that blessed enjoyment? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes to give them to me.” Galatians 4:15

Truly good news almost always is met with a joyful response. To a couple who have been waiting forever for their first child, the words, “You are pregnant” can elicit squeals of delight. The graduate who receives a scholarship to her first-choice university cannot wait to share the news with everyone. The promotion that means a young couple can buy their first home is celebrated with a night out to dinner.

It is no wonder that the word “Gospel” translates as “good news”. The knowledge that God is good and that He has made a way to have a relationship with Him minus fear and shame is reason for joy. The fact that Jesus took the penalty of all my misdeeds upon Himself is reason for great celebration.

When the “Gospel” is shared as the actual good news that it is, joy is one of the expected responses. Paul had shared exactly that with the people in the territory of Galatia, and they received both him and the good news with joy. They were thrilled to know they no longer had to work their way into God’s good graces.

But somewhere along the way people crept in that convinced the new believers in Galatia that they had to add other certain rituals to their simple faith. In particular, they told them that they must also be circumcised to be accepted by God. Jesus, in fact, did forgive their sins, but they had to get circumcised to show God how serious they were about it all.

Having been sucked in to this deception, they felt taken advantage of by Paul. So, instead of the joy they once felt, this new “gospel” created animosity and fear. Where once they would have given Paul their right arm, now they treated him like an enemy.

I have seen it happen. I just came from the county jail. A man is serving 30 days there who I started a relationship with some six months ago. He has attended our services a couple of times and some of his family are in our youth group. There are few things that soften a person’s heart as much as a few weeks in county jail.

And I know that most people will confess their need when trapped behind bars, and then forget God’s grace once they are free. At the same time, there are also many who actually are reached by God. Their hearts are broken. They hear the good news about the forgiveness Jesus offers and they are truly thankful.

Now, imagine that person wants to serve God. They truly want to follow Jesus the best way they can. Getting out of jail, they can’t wait to attend church, go to Bible studies and show God they are “serious”. All goes well until they hear someone teach that their “real faith” will be shown by “giving till it hurts”, “confessing your healing until it truly manifests”, or “speaking what you want into existence”. (Or any other sad addition to the joyous good news.)

The one who shared Jesus’ love and forgiveness with him is now suspect. “Why didn’t he tell me about all this other stuff? I want the deep stuff, man. I really want to serve God. I want to prove to Him that I’m serious!” So they are dragged down another “gospel” of works just like the Galatians were. And the joy is gone! The person who once would have done anything for anyone out of the sheer happiness of being forgiven now judges whether those around him are really as dedicated as he is.

Like B.B. King sings, “The thrill is gone.” If only we would keep our hearts full of grace. We devalue the incredible gift of forgiveness every time we add something else to the package. Even telling someone they must be transformed can turn into sweaty legalism if we are not careful. As the book of Hebrews says, we should be “strengthened by grace”.

Rules and works only make us rude religionists. Grace makes us humble humans who know how incredibly good God is! Occasionally I hear the same question, “What has become of the blessed enjoyment?” and I have to remind myself of the gift this good news actually is!