Today you should read: Galatians 1:11-24
Paul, in Galatians, is seeking to remind us of the beauty of the gospel of Jesus as the gospel is being perverted and people are wavering (1:6-10). The gospel of Jesus is what drives everything (or should) for us as followers of Jesus. If we lose the gospel we lose everything.
So Paul in verses 11-24 is reminding us of some things.
1) THE GOSPEL IS NOT MAN-MADE… THE GOSPEL IS GOD-SENT (v.11-12)
This is something that is so relieving to me because it recenters my reality. To live in the reality that God, through Jesus, offered us salvation is joyous. We do not have to fear that this is something that is man-made, a game of some kind, a marketing ploy. This is TRUTH. And Paul tells us that here.
2) THE GOSPEL BRINGS LIFE-CHANGE… (v.13-17)
As a defense that the gospel was not man-made but God-sent Paul reminds us of his life before he was in a relationship with Jesus. He persecuted the church. He killed Christians. (v.13) He was the best of the best and was advancing above all others… but even this could not earn his salvation (v.14) But GOD set him apart and made him holy through Jesus because God had a plan for his life (v.15-17). God brought life change in Paul just like he does in us… through Jesus.
“17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” // 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
3) PROCLAIM THE LIFE-CHANGE THE GOSPEL BRINGS (v.18-24)
Paul went on to preach the gospel of Jesus. People were encouraged by him. He was an apologetic or defense for the trueness of Jesus. If Jesus could save him… Jesus could save anyone. Look at verses 23-24…
“They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God because of me.” // Galatians 1:23-24
The truth is the fact that any of us are in a relationship with Jesus is a miracle of God. God has taken us from death and brought us to life. Use your story… Use the life-change that Jesus has brought… Proclaim to others and bring glory to God. He is worth it.
Questions:
1) How has Jesus changed you since you put your faith in Him?
2) How can you use this for others to see the trueness of Jesus & glorify Him?
By: Nick Parsons — Pastoral Ministry Associate: College
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