DAY #277: Galatians 1:10--2:10

As Paul launched into a repudiation of those who would refuse to recognize his authority as an apostle, he began at the beginning. Paul wanted the Galatian believers to be assured that he was an apostle—called separately from the Twelve and received as an equal by the Twelve.

The gospel Paul taught was not based on mere human reasoning or logic—that is, it was not a belief or doctrine handed down to him through Jewish tradition.

As a young man, Paul had sat at the feet of Gamaliel, learning by rote and repetition the Hebrew Law and Scriptures. But that was not the gospel, nor could it give salvation. Instead, the message Paul preached came by direct revelation from Jesus Christ himself. We do not know the extent or manner of this revelation. Paul could be referring to his vision of Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-6), to the time after Ananias returned Paul’s sight (Acts 9:17-19), to the three years spent in Arabia (Galatians 1:17-18), or to his ongoing contact with Christ in his ministry (Acts 9:19-22).

Paul implied this point: “How can anyone doubt my authority? How can anyone doubt the divinely revealed truth about Jesus Christ?” To further support his apostolic claim, Paul showed how radically Christ had transformed him from a persecutor of the church to an apostle of the church. When he followed the Jewish religion, he was one of the most religious Jews of his day. He scrupulously kept the law and also violently persecuted the Christians, seeking to get rid of them.

What changed Paul’s life from persecutor of the church to preacher of the faith? God got hold of Paul’s life. Paul’s conversion happened only because it pleased God. And God used every part of Paul’s life, even prior to his conversion, to prepare Paul for the ministry.

When God called Paul on the road to Damascus, Paul accepted the gracious invitation of salvation. Part of that call was that God revealed his Son to Paul. When Paul heard the voice of the resurrected and living Jesus Christ (Acts 9:4-6), this confirmed the fact of the Resurrection. In his appearance to Paul, God revealed who Jesus really was—the Jews’ promised Messiah, the Savior.

Paul’s personal encounter with Jesus was so compelling that no further confirmation was required. Paul did not rush out to consult with anyone else about doctrine, theology, the Old Testament Scriptures, or the specifics of the gospel message. He has met Jesus and Jesus changed hi life.

Remember that one reason Paul wrote this letter was to combat the false teaching of the Judaizers who were trying to undermine Paul’s authority as an apostle. The essence of the gospel Paul preached to both Jews and Gentiles was that God’s salvation is offered to all people regardless of race, sex, nationality, wealth, social standing, educational level, or anything else.

All types of people can be forgiven by trusting in Christ. Paul voluntarily came before the leaders in Jerusalem and calmly presented to them the message he was preaching. He was maintaining accountability and solidarity with other Christian leaders, without for a moment assuming that what Christ had given him was open to their approval.

Paul’s message preached among the Gentiles was tested in the treatment of the young Greek convert whom Paul brought along to Jerusalem—Titus. Paul’s message to the Gentiles was that God accepted anyone who believes, regardless of race or religious background.

The truth of the Good News was at stake. Paul sought to protect the truth that the gospel is for all people who can accept it by faith alone. Paul was convinced that circumcision, a rite he himself had undergone, was not part of the essential truth of the gospel.

Paul fought to protect that gospel for you, specifically referring to the Galatian Christians to whom he wrote. But it also applies to any believer today who has not come out of a Jewish background. We have received salvation without having to ascribe to a whole set of Jewish laws because Paul had the foresight and wisdom to fight for protection of the gospel of grace regarding this issue.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

As we read the the Pauline Epistles, we see a common thread: Paul was constantly under attack from those within the church - from those who claimed to be followers of Christ.

How can this be? Why is it that we who claim to know Christ and love Christ can be so fleshly? Sin. Pure and simple sin -that's the reason. Folks, God has laid it out - those in leadership in the church will undergo a more strict judgement - By God.

"Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you." Hebrews 13:17 (NIV)

We are to support God's leaders and pray for God's leaders and obey God's leaders. We are not to attack them, gossip about them, slander them, criticise them, undermine them or anything of the like.

"Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith." Hebrews 13:7-8 (NIV)

Do you remember David and Saul? David was anointed to become the next King of Israel. He would replace Saul, whom God had rejected for his disobedience and habitual sin. Saul, knowing this tried to repeatedly kill David.

"The next day an evil spirit came forcefully upon Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the harp, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand and he hurled it, saying to himself, "I'll pin David to the wall." But David eluded him twice."
1 Samuel 18:10-11 (NIV)

"Saul told his son Jonathan and all the attendants to kill David. But Jonathan was very fond of David and warned him, "My father Saul is looking for a chance to kill you. Be on your guard." 1 Samuel 19:1-2 (NIV)

How did David respond?

"After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, "David is in the Desert of En Gedi." 2 So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats. 3 He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave. 4 The men said, "This is the day the LORD spoke of when he said to you, 'I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.'" Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul's robe. 5 Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. 6 He said to his men, "The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD's anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the LORD." 7 With these words David rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.

8 Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, "My lord the king!" When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground. 9 He said to Saul, "Why do you listen when men say, 'David is bent on harming you'? 10 This day you have seen with your own eyes how the LORD delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, 'I will not lift my hand against my master, because he is the LORD's anointed.' 11 See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. Now understand and recognize that I am not guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life.

12 May the LORD judge between you and me. And may the LORD avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you. 13 As the old saying goes, 'From evildoers come evil deeds,' so my hand will not touch you." 1 Samuel 24:1-13 (NIV)

How will you respond the leaders God has put in your life?