Galatians 1

Grace and peace of God to you,

After completing several months in 1 Corinthians, I have decided to break the consecutive plan and jump to Galatians. I will come back to 2 Corinthians sometime, but I was feeling led to do something out of order. I also will probably alternate with a Gospel (probably John). But we'll see where this takes me.
The overall theme of Galatians is the true Gospel. Some have called Galatians the 'first draft' of Romans. Paul defends the source of the Gospel, the salvation in the Gospel, and subject of godly living.

The Memory Passage for Galatians 1 is
Galatians 1:1,6,11-2 (ESV)
¹ Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—
⁶ I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—
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.

The Outline Theme is 'The Gospel Stands Alone".
This letter begins with Paul's signature style; saying hello and starting to teach at the same time. He addresses the source of his apostleship, from God, and extends grace and peace to the recipients in the name of the Lord who is the source of the Gospel.

Verse 6 begins his admonishment of the Galatian church with 'astonishment'. Paul was just there not long ago, and already they are turning to a different 'gospel' (false teaching). Paul's caveat was that there is no other real gospel, just people and teachings meant to 'distort' the Gospel of Christ. If anyone else, even an angel, preaches a different Gospel than he did, they are to disregard it and the bearer is to be cursed. Paul may have been accused of just playing to the crowd and giving the people what they want. But if he was trying to 'please men', he could not serve Christ. Clearly the tone of his letter (and now doubt his teaching when he was with them) made it clear that this was not man-pleasing, but God-pleasing.

Beginning in verse 11, Paul begins to defend the source of the Gospel he preaches. It is not made up or taught by men, nor was it delivered to Paul by anyone (even the other Apostles). After his dramatic conversion, (which he gives a brief testimony to in vv13-16a) he went to Arabia, back to Damascus, and waited there 3 years. Paul was taught the Gospel by the direct revelation of Jesus Christ. After this time he did go to Jerusalem and met with Paul and James, but not for ministry or doctrinal instruction. On his early journeys he was still only known as 'that guy who was seeking to destroy the church Christ, now preaches the Gospel of Christ.

And they glorified God because of him.


How does this affect my worship?
If we offer a sacrifice of praise based on the one, true Word of Christ, in spirit and truth, the fruit of our lips will give all glory to God. And the only consequence we should ever have in anyone else's worship should be that they glorify God because of His work in us. The moment I, we, me, us enter into the worship equation (other than a vessel of offering), we have stolen glory from the only One who is worthy. I want people to thank God for what He has done in my life (not thank me for my work), to glorify Him for the worship led through me (not glorify me for worship led to me), and to praise His name for any acceptable offering that He may receive under my direction (not praise me for the quality of my leadership). To Him be glory forevermore in Christ Jesus.

How does this affect my discipleship?
On those days when I am 'astonished' that those I am co-apprenticing seem to have missed the point, or come with questions that show no growth (or un-growth), will I have the grace and peace that Paul has? In my admonishment, will they know that I truly love them? As I teach them (again and again) the basics of the Gospel, will I have the patience and forbearance of Christ? Can I teach and guide without stealing any of the glory?

I must.

But I can't do it alone. Lord, help me.

May you walk in His grace and His peace as you direct others toward Him,

Ethan