LIVING AS FAITHFUL PEOPLE
God's Redemption
Justified by Faith in Christ
Galatians 1:11-24
The Message
10-12Do
you think I speak this strongly in order to manipulate crowds? Or curry
favor with God? Or get popular applause? If my goal was popularity, I
wouldn't bother being Christ's slave. Know this—I am most emphatic here,
friends—this great Message I delivered to you is not mere human
optimism. I didn't receive it through the traditions, and I wasn't
taught it in some school. I got it straight from God, received the
Message directly from Jesus Christ.
13-16I'm sure that you've heard the story of my earlier life when I lived in the Jewish way. In those days I went all out in persecuting God's church. I was systematically destroying it. I was so enthusiastic about the traditions of my ancestors that I advanced head and shoulders above my peers in my career. Even then God had designs on me. Why, when I was still in my mother's womb he chose and called me out of sheer generosity! Now he has intervened and revealed his Son to me so that I might joyfully tell non-Jews about him.
16-20Immediately after my calling—without consulting anyone around me and without going up to Jerusalem to confer with those who were apostles long before I was—I got away to Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus, but it was three years before I went up to Jerusalem to compare stories with Peter. I was there only fifteen days—but what days they were! Except for our Master's brother James, I saw no other apostles. (I'm telling you the absolute truth in this.)
21-24Then I began my ministry in the regions of Syria and Cilicia. After all that time and activity I was still unknown by face among the Christian churches in Judea. There was only this report: "That man who once persecuted us is now preaching the very message he used to try to destroy." Their response was to recognize and worship God because of me!
13-16I'm sure that you've heard the story of my earlier life when I lived in the Jewish way. In those days I went all out in persecuting God's church. I was systematically destroying it. I was so enthusiastic about the traditions of my ancestors that I advanced head and shoulders above my peers in my career. Even then God had designs on me. Why, when I was still in my mother's womb he chose and called me out of sheer generosity! Now he has intervened and revealed his Son to me so that I might joyfully tell non-Jews about him.
16-20Immediately after my calling—without consulting anyone around me and without going up to Jerusalem to confer with those who were apostles long before I was—I got away to Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus, but it was three years before I went up to Jerusalem to compare stories with Peter. I was there only fifteen days—but what days they were! Except for our Master's brother James, I saw no other apostles. (I'm telling you the absolute truth in this.)
21-24Then I began my ministry in the regions of Syria and Cilicia. After all that time and activity I was still unknown by face among the Christian churches in Judea. There was only this report: "That man who once persecuted us is now preaching the very message he used to try to destroy." Their response was to recognize and worship God because of me!
For Reflection
Paul, like our present day ministers, speaks from authority not as an authority. In our reformed tradition, we are all priests. None of us can speak with authority, but we speak from the knowledge of the scriptures. Therefore, our imperative is to seek out the truth in Jesus Christ and allow the grace of God to flow through us.
Whether we grew up in the church or not, we all have a transformational story to tell. Tell your story, Sing what is in your heart. God will do the rest.
Pray
that you realize your justification by faith. Pray that you will strive to prepare yourself by studying the scriptures and discussions with the faithful. Pray that you will respond to God's call when ever he needs you.
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