Scripture:
Galatians 1:10-17 NKJV
[10] For do I now persuade men or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. [11] But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. [12] For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. [13] For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. [14] And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. [15] But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, [16] to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, [17] nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
Observation:
What I love about Paul is not only his understanding of scripture but his ability to boldly proclaim the truth. Whether or not others liked him for it didn’t seem to matter. In fact, the gospel that he preached seemed to go directly against everything he had learned as a young man coming up through the Jewish culture. Being very educated in the Jewish beliefs and ways of living gave him an understanding that the gospel was somewhat controversial according to what he was taught. Before his encounter with Jesus Christ, HIMSELF… After HE had been resurrected from the dead on the road to Damascus Paul, he was very dedicated to the Jewish ways. In fact, it’s the reason HE was on that road to begin with. He was seeking the approval of man. But that moment in time changed his life. He saw the truth right in front of him as he was flat on his back. At that point, he knew the approval he had sought was wrong, and as the Holy Spirit poured the truth into him, I could almost see the thoughts going through his head as the scripture came to life right in the middle of his thought process and he knew the way he was going about it was wrong. He didn’t need to speak to men nor get their approval… What he needed to do was sit down with the Holy Spirit and get the full understanding of what the men he was being educated by didn’t fully understand. Realizing that it was not about the approval of men, I feel like Paul took the time to go back through the scripture with the Holy Spirit as his guide, not seeking man to educate him but allowing the Holy Spirit to guide him. That way, when he spoke, he knew he was speaking the truth. It didn’t matter whether or not he was approved by man. What mattered is that the truth of the scripture was presented, period.
Application:
I want to understand scripture. I want to know it and live it in a manner that brings GOD the utmost glory. As I look at all the divisions in the church, I realize that the only one who has the full understanding of what GOD wants from us is the Holy Spirit. Seeking counsel from man is important, yes, but ultimately, it’s not their approval that matters. It’s easy to want to be in the crowd. To be one of the popular people. But to do that, you must seek their approval. You have to say the things they agree with… you may even have to bend or compromise what the bible says about things. Listen, I am not saying I have it all figured out because I believe that would be very arrogant to say, but I know who does, and I hate to say it, but someone is wrong and it’s not the word of GOD what HE said is the truth. So, all the different denominations that believe they are right yet divided the church into little pieces of this belief while pushing those wayside who don’t believe the same. The Bible is the word of GOD HIMSELF, and HE can not lie. Buckle down and let HIM teach. Let HIM explain HIMSELF. Over the past several years, that’s what I have done, and I know HE is not done teaching me, and I don’t have it all figured out… but I also know that the fear of GOD is the beginning of wisdom, and if I want wisdom, all I have to do is ask, and GOD will give it to me without rebuking me for asking. I can either seek your approval and set aside what the bible says, or I can say what the bible says and seek GOD’S approval. So here is the deal you may be able to put me outside the circle and disapprove of what I say. But if what I am saying is GOD’S word, you are not disapproving of me, and your argument is not with me it’s with GOD HIMSELF, and you can say HE is wrong all you want to but I’m just not going to do that. I want to live GOD’S word. I want it to make my choices, not man. What you think of me does not matter to me, and if I offend you, I am sorry. But it’s GOD who saved a wretched man like me, and I want HIS approval whether or not you like me doesn’t matter. I will do my best to live HIS word and allow HIM to shape me to be more like HIS Son who gave HIS life for me. There is way too much division in the church to begin with and to argue over what GOD’S word says because we don’t like it is not wisdom…wisdom is listening to GOD’S word and doing what it says not explaining it away as if it’s out of date because times of change. It’s the same today, tomorrow, and forever. Let the Holy Spirit teach you. Let GOD guide you through HIS timeless word. Let HIM mold and shape you. Fear HIM and nothing else.
Prayer:
Father, we only want you. You are our passion and our desire. You have given us the breath of life. Now give us an understanding of your word and a boldness to speak it without reservation. None of this is about us it’s all about your son who gave HIS life for us. So that we could have a connection to you. Change us, mold us, and build us into the people who are not just hearers of your word but doers as well. But to do it, we must clearly understand it, so we are asking that we not be deceived. we want to seek your face above all else… we want your approval above all else it’s about you, and your truth does not change as much as we may want it to it just doesn’t. So give us that deep burning desire to follow what your word says and the ability to be obedient inside that. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.