Galatians 1:11-17

Summary retelling of Galatians 1:11-17

After chastising the Galatians, Paul makes it clear that the Gospel that he is proclaiming is not a Gospel that came from anyone but God Himself.  He confesses how he began as a Pharisee while persecuting the fledgling Christian church.  He also reminds the Galatians how he was advancing in reputation among the Jews much faster than his age and experience would predict.  Then Paul talks about how God really broke into his life.  God – who called to Paul out of grace – revealed His Son to Paul.  Paul knew that he had been called to preach Jesus to the Gentiles.  When Paul received the calling, he did not seek out the approval of anyone.  Instead, he went into the surrounding lands to learn what he could from the people who were following Jesus.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul’s teaching is based on God.  Paul’s teaching isn’t based on human tradition or the writings of other people.  Paul’s teaching is based on the Word of God.  Paul is unapologetic about this fact.  In fact, Paul gives us the impression that this is really the only way that it should be.  When we base our teaching on anything other than the Word of God, we are likely to begin preaching a false Gospel.

Who in your life is unapologetically preaching the Word of God and only the Word of God?  How can you learn from them how to stand strong solely upon the Word of God?

Second Thought:

God broke into Paul’s life.  Remember the Damascus story that we studied only a few months ago as related in Acts?  There was a moment in Paul’s life that shattered how he had been living prior to God’s breaking into his life.  Paul responded to that moment and it irrevocably changed him.  Like Paul, God is willing to break into any of our lives and change our foci.

Why do you think I have been intentional in using the term “break into” when talking about Paul’s life?  If God were to break into your life, would you respond and let God irrevocably alter your life?

Third Thought:

When Paul received his calling, he went about equipping himself to do the calling.  He didn’t seek the “political approval” or even the approval from Jesus’ own disciples.  He didn’t try to suck up to the powers that be.  Paul looked around and figured out where it was that he could best learn what he needed to learn before accomplishing what God had called him to do.  Once he figured out where he could learn, he formed relationships and learned as much as he could.  In other words, he set his eyes on the prize and then he pursued it.

What prize are you pursuing?  Is it the prize that God has called you to pursue?  Are you pursuing it in ways that God would approve?

Passage for Tomorrow: Galatians 1:18-24