Scripture:
Galatians 1:11-17 ESV
[11] For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. [12] For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. [13] For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. [14] And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. [15] But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, [16] was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; [17] nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
Observation:
Paul felt it necessary to explain his qualifications to the Galatians. He did this in almost every letter at the beginning by introducing himself as an apostle, but this time, he felt like he needed to go into a little more detail about how he knew the gospel so well and where he had learned it from. Just so that there is no mistake, let’s look at his background a little bit. Paul’s teacher was a well-respected teacher of Judaism, and just to clear things up, Judaism is not the gospel. It has to do with a list of rules that the Jews believed would lead to salvation if they were followed and upheld. They believed so much in this system that they were willing to stone people to death who did not fall in line with it. To me, that doesn’t sound like good news. This system is what Paul had a really good education in and believed with all his heart. However, in between the lines of this system was the gospel, but if you were not looking for it all, you would see, that it is a sacrificial system to atone for the sins of the people. Paul had learned the ways of Judaism well, and his education was gaining momentum. But something changed his mind about what it all meant and how all this was supposed to happen. An encounter with Jesus Christ on the road to enforce the laws of Judaism would leave him not only sure that what he was doing was wrong but clearly informed of the right way. Everything that was hidden between the lines was revealed as he lay on his back in the middle of the road hearing the voice of Jesus, asking him why he saw fit to persecute the sin of the living GOD. You can almost picture Paul’s life flashing before his eyes. All the underlying meanings of everything he had ever been taught were rearranged in his mind, and it all made sense. Over the next few days, as he lay in bed, unable to see the Holy Spirit would reveal more and more to him over the next few months, he would learn all the things that had not been taught to him in the ways of Judaism, such as grace and mercy forgiveness and redemption, and all through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. His point in telling the Galatians about this was to make sure that they knew that the gospel he was teaching them came directly from the Holy Spirit. It wasn’t from any man. It was not someone’s opinion of what the Torah said. It was from Jesus Christ HIMSELF. He didn’t seek out the other apostles to get their approval on whether or not he was right. He knew it without the shadow of any doubt. It was as if all his life he had been blinded to the truth. Until that day on the road to a sure distraction. When Jesus Christ revealed HIMSELF to a man who thought he was doing what GOD wanted him to.
Application:
When I hear Paul’s story, I can’t help but think about how I was misguided. All the people in my life had seemed to condition me to repeat the same kind of lifestyle they had lived. Without even knowing it, behaviors and characteristics were installed into my life that I was unaware were even wrong. My thought process and the lifestyle of addiction were second nature. Racism and hatred were deeply ingrained in me. I didn’t even know it was wrong. In fact, I thought I was the only one right. One day, in a small Baptist church, GOD saw fit to reveal HIMSELF to me, and it changed my life. At first, I thought I needed to go to Bible college, so I signed up and started to attend classes online. It didn’t take long for the Holy Spirit to reveal to me that I could learn man’s opinion of what the bible said if I wanted to, but in the long run, it would be better if I just allowed HIM to teach me. So I dove into what has turned into a 14-year adventure through the Bible over and over again. Learning and redefining my life through GOD’S LIVING WORD. I think man likes to be able to show some kind of degree for higher education, and maybe it would open doors. But I honestly believe that the education I have in GOD’S living word is GOD given and can not be taught by man. It comes from spending time at the feet of Jesus. Not being distracted by what man thinks the bible says but being led through the Holy Scripture by the one who wrote it. Just like Paul, I know that the way I was taught is wrong, and Jesus Christ HIMSELF revealed that to me. I also know that in the pages of the bible, the right way is found. If we allow IT to define our lives rather than our lives to define IT. I want you to see that there are 2 ways to look at this. You can cherry-pick the bible, taking out only what you want to so that your behavior is justified. Defending your lifestyle and never changing a thing. OR you can consider the whole council of GOD and allow the bible to give you a life beyond what you ever thought possible. Take it from an ex-drug addict who stole to provide for a habit. You can become a new creation through Christ Jesus. That’s the gospel. For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only son that whoever believes in HIM shall not perish but have eternal life. Start reading GOD’S living word, allow it to shape you, and mold you to be more like Jesus. Tell others what HE reveals to you so they can have the same encounter that you did, and if you are reading this and have not given your life to Christ… the Bible says today is the day of salvation… there is no reason to wait. Pray to HIM and ask HIM to forgive you and to come into your heart taking HIS rightful place as LORD of your life. If you’re not sure how to do this, send me a private message, and I would be more than glad to lead you through it. Don’t wait. Don’t let the enemy convince you that it’s not for you or that you can do it later. Now is the time today is the day GOD is calling. Will you answer?
Prayer:
Father, you are so amazing. As I look back over the past 14 years, I see how you taught me your word. How you called me out by name how you gave me a new life rooted in your gospel. You never cease to amaze me. Thank you for teaching me and leading me in your ways. Not that I have obtained everything I need to know, but you have made me a new man, and that happened through a relationship with your son. I can not thank you enough. So I just want to pray that if there is anyone reading this that you are calling out by name that you reveal more of yourself to them and that today would be the day they start a lifelong journey of walking hand in hand with you. Allowing your Holy Spirit to redirect their lives in a manner worthy of what you have called them to and that they would be brave enough to reach out to someone… anyone… who would help them through this process. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.