Straight to the point
Opening Prayer
God, as I open Your Word of life, let me open my heart and receive Your grace, fresh for today.
Read GALATIANS 1:1–10
[1] Paul, an apostle-sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead- [2] and all the brothers and sisters with me, To the churches in Galatia: [3] Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, [4] who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, [5] to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. [6] I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel- [7] which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. [8] But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! [9] As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse! [10] Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What had changed in the Galatians’ perspective?When we write a letter, send a text or post on social media, we reveal quite a bit about ourselves. Even though Paul begins with talk of grace and peace, we soon realize that he is hurt and angry. Paul feels deserted by his converts in Galatia (6). He had won them to a faith in God which was based on the free gift of new life through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Now some rival teachers have robbed them of that gift, by persuading them to ratify their faith by taking on the laws and customs of Judaism. We have to ask, why does this matter? Why not have faith in Jesus and the Jewish Law? Paul’s argument (and the reason for his rage) is that if we could earn salvation by keeping the Jewish Law, Jesus did not need to die on the cross for us. It is because we are incapable of keeping God’s Law that our only hope is of rescue by God’s grace.
Apply
Let go of any religious attempts to earn God’s favor. Trust in Christ and live out of what he has done.
Closing prayer
Jesus, Your grace is amazing! I was without hope, but You have given me hope without measure.
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