LIVING AS FAITHFUL PEOPLE
God's Redemption
Justified by Faith in Christ
Galatians 1:1-10
The Message
1-5
I, Paul, and my companions in faith here, send greetings to the
Galatian churches. My authority for writing to you does not come from
any popular vote of the people, nor does it come through the appointment
of some human higher-up. It comes directly from Jesus the Messiah and
God the Father, who raised him from the dead. I'm God-commissioned. So I
greet you with the great words, grace and peace! We know the meaning
of those words because Jesus Christ rescued us from this evil world
we're in by offering himself as a sacrifice for our sins. God's plan is
that we all experience that rescue. Glory to God forever! Oh, yes!
6-9I can't believe your fickleness—how easily you have turned traitor to him who called you by the grace of Christ by embracing a variant message! It is not a minor variation, you know; it is completely other, an alien message, a no-message, a lie about God. Those who are provoking this agitation among you are turning the Message of Christ on its head. Let me be blunt: If one of us—even if an angel from heaven!—were to preach something other than what we preached originally, let him be cursed. I said it once; I'll say it again: If anyone, regardless of reputation or credentials, preaches something other than what you received originally, let him be cursed. 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.
For Reflection6-9I can't believe your fickleness—how easily you have turned traitor to him who called you by the grace of Christ by embracing a variant message! It is not a minor variation, you know; it is completely other, an alien message, a no-message, a lie about God. Those who are provoking this agitation among you are turning the Message of Christ on its head. Let me be blunt: If one of us—even if an angel from heaven!—were to preach something other than what we preached originally, let him be cursed. I said it once; I'll say it again: If anyone, regardless of reputation or credentials, preaches something other than what you received originally, let him be cursed. 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.
Written centuries ago, this criticism of the emerging church is as contemporary today as it was then. God's message is one of hope and peace. It is the promise of a transformational life in his protective hand.
One can not know a dog by looking at one ear. One must observe the whole animal including its behavior. So it must be with those who proclaim the gospel One must observe the whole person and must observe that his works reflect accurately the whole scripture not just selected passages.
Pray
thanking God for His constant protection. Pray that you will respond to God when he calls you to action. Pray so that you will hear God's will.
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