Offensive Living

Galatians 5:7-12    
7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.   11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. 12 I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!

Paul reiterates how well those in the Galatian churches had begun in Christ, then asks how they could let someone stand in the way of the truth they had heard and known.  This false teaching is not God’s, and tolerating or even accepting a little of it is like yeast spreading inflated (but false) ideas through the whole church.  Yet Paul still had hope for them to go back to the unity of the faith and to let the false teacher face God’s judgment.  He focused not on the works and signs of the Law, but on the offensive cross of Christ.  It is both an offense to the world and our offensive answer to salvation by works.  Those who preached circumcision as essential nullified the cross and did not see God cutting sin back from our hearts, but instead saw only a literal foreskin cut off as an outward attempt of a work to demonstrate righteousness.  True righteousness is in Christ alone, imputed (reckoned to our account) but never imparted (handed over) to us because we earned it. 

No Yoke to be Free

Galatians 5:1-6   
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

We stand on grace’s freedom by faith, bought at the price of the body and blood of God’s only Son, Jesus Christ.  Why get caught up in trying to earn or keep salvation by attempting to attain our own righteousness, when the very Law used to do so proves it impossible?  If we try, like these Galatians, to be identified with the Law of impossible works by circumcision (its entry requirement and identification), we would have to flawlessly keep the whole Law.  That is not possible, and is a departure from trusting in God’s grace in Christ alone.  It is faith from God’s love in mercy and by our love in trusting response that works in us, not our works which come ever short.  His Spirit in us reminds us and proves with certain hope that righteousness of salvation by faith.  

Children of Promise

Galatians 4:28-31    
28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. 29 But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. 30 Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.” 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.

We who are of Christ are His children by the promise given by faith as to Abraham.  Those relying on a law of good deeds and the do’s and don’ts of religious bondage oppose this grace in which we stand by that faith we are given, but we know God will not accept them in His covenant promise while they continue as slaves to that law.  We are free children, born of faith by grace and mercy, reconciled to the Father through the Son’s righteousness.  We who inherit the kingdom as the free woman’s heirs are free indeed, not bound in the power of sin wrapped in its bondage any longer.  We are born of God’s Spirit and no longer of the flesh. 

Covenant of Faith

Galatians 4:21-27   
21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, 24 which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— 25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children— 26 but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. 27 For it is written:

“Rejoice, O barren, You who do not bear!

Break forth and shout,

You who are not in labor!

For the desolate has many more children

Than she who has a husband.”

The Law points back to the promise to Abraham through his son Isaac by faith and the slavery of the bondwoman, Hagar.  There was a symbolic parallel to these in the covenant promise of faith for a new Jerusalem in heaven, along with that covenant of the Law’s bondage given on Mount Sinai.  The covenant Law of commandments leads to enslavement of never ending works to try to obtain perfect obedience, which is impossible for we sinners.  The covenant of faith given before to Abraham and his descendant brings true freedom by faith and grace found in Christ alone.  Paul here asks why anyone would go back from grace to such works. 

Zealously Courted

Galatians 4:17-20    
17 They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them. 18 But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you. 19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, 20 I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.

Those with other messages and pseudo gospels go enthusiastically out of their way to pull men and women away from the gospel to, as Jesus said, “make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves (Mat.23:15).”  They will set rules that keep people away unless they run after those with these false messages, making one feel less if not zealously doing as they do.  Yet Paul tells the church here to be zealous instead for good, what is true, and not only when he is there to keep them on course.  He was teaching them discernment and commitment to the truth of the gospel they already heard and knew.  He worked long and hard to impart the scriptures to them, and was wondering how they could turn aside.  We also must stay the course of solid biblical teaching, not allowing enthusiasm to overtake the truth once for all delivered to His saints, and not always seeking “to hear some new thing (Acts 17:21).”  

Are Truthtellers Enemies?

Galatians 4:12-16    
12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all. 13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. 14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. 15 What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?

Paul associated with the Galatians as a fellow brother and not one lording over them as he brought the gospel and nourished their faith in growth.  Though he suffered a physical ailment, he persevered with them, and commended their acceptance of him as God’s messenger, as an example of Christ and their servant.  He applauded their compassion for his physical condition, yet quickly asked them why they seemed to turn against him when he spoke God’s truth head on for them to deal with.  Even now, we find times when speaking truth properly in love can have fleshy retribution in response, as none of us find it easy to accept correction when it hits home.  The challenge is to take criticism and reproof as from Christ in others as demonstrated in their call by God, and not in a human sense.  

Don’t Look Back, Salty

Galatians 4:8-11    
8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. 9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.

Before we are regenerated, before we know God personally and intimately through Jesus Christ, we serve the idols of false gods all around us such as self-help, intellectualism, meditation, and even other religious systems and gods.  But when we are known by the God of all and thus also know Him afterwards, we should not be again relying on those empty things we were pulled away from by the Maker of all things.  We are set free from slavery of our souls in those things which give no honor or glory to the only God, so how can we dig up these dead thing when we have life that is unending?  Paul labored to teach these in Galatia, and by these same words labors for us by God’s hand and Spirit; let it not be in vain for us either.  

Heirs by Adoption

Galatians 4:1-7    
1 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.   6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

The chosen people of God were like children not of age who were heirs due to inherit an incomprehensible wealth.  Therefore they were not much different than slaves, having others over them until they were mature enough to handle the treasure coming to them.  Like slaves, however, they were in bondage to their sin as master until God’s time came to adopt them from slavery to freedom in Christ.  Jesus Christ was born in the flesh as we are, under the Law of our efforts to earn God’s pleasure (yet He as divine was perfect), yet set us free to be His children through His work in mercy and grace by faith, as we trust in His work and person and not our own any longer.  This is why He put the Spirit of His Son in us, to both seal us as His children and to enable us to live the Law of His heart in ours by His enabling for ability and desire.  As children, as heirs of God, we do not earn our place by the Law, but live it to please our one and only Holy Father, not men.  We cry out to our Father in thankful trust and obedience out of love instead of obligation now.

Children From All Places

Galatians 3:26-29    
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Faith in Christ that leads to salvation also adopts us as His children.  When we are spiritually immersed in Him, we put on Christ and are sealed by His Spirit who then lives in us.  We are in that sense baptized into Him.  This adoption as the called out people of God includes not just the Jews, but those of all nations as promised to Abraham, without limitations on race, gender, language, or ethnicity.  His adopted children are one family, heirs to the riches in Christ in eternity by that promise of faith found in Christ alone.  What a wonder to be called into God’s family!  

Teacher of the Law

Galatians 3:21-25    
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. 22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

Though the Law came after the promise, it is not set against that promise, it simply could not give a reconciled life with God of itself.  The only righteousness is by this faith of the promise, not imperfect works attempted by means of keeping the Law.  The Law only proved we are trapped in sin and destined for the resulting judgement revealed by the Law pointing out the areas we fail in thought and deed.  Yet the Law kept God’s people under guard to be prepared for the faith in the Christ to come, teaching us right from wrong and our inability to not do wrong.  Our means of justification with God then is only by that faith in Christ alone, and that faith graduates us from the Law of requirements into His marvelous grace of undeserved mercy and forgiveness.  Thanks be to God for His wonderful gift! 

Why Works?

Galatians 3:19-20    
19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.

The Law of God was given as an addition to the promise to Abraham 430 years earlier.  It was given because man’s sin needed to be shown by our failure to obey God in doing good over evil, and the Law pointed out the transgressions in our breaking of it.  The promise was still a covenant in effect, so the one to whom it would rest on and be ministered through was God’s Seed, His chosen or anointed one (Messiah).  He would meditate this covenant of faith with Abraham to His people from all nations, standing between us and God as the sole mediator able to do so.  The people of God “received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.” (Acts 7:53).  None of us can keep the Law completely and from the heart, and this is why it was given to make that clear, and to point us back to the promise by faith.  This is the gospel, that God’s grace by faith in Christ’s work did what our work never could. 

The Planted Seed

Galatians 3:15-18    
15 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man's covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. 16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. 18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

The promise of God’s blessing and Spirit in our hearts was given through Abraham 430 years before the Law was given through Moses.  This covenant with man by God cannot be changed or overridden, not even by the Law.  He gave the promise of faith to the Descendant of Abraham in the earthly lineage who is Christ, and this promise of salvation by faith alone is confirmed in Christ alone to us.  The Law cannot promise this inheritance of the faith of Abraham.  Only the original covenant by faith promises salvation, which is why the Law cannot save; it can only point us as a teacher to our sin and need of a Savior who offers this same promise of salvation by faith as to our father in faith, Abraham.  

Faith’s Redemption

Galatians 3:10-14   
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”   13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

The Law is a curse to all who fall under and rely on it to be acceptable to God, for it must be followed to the letter and completely to meet God’s standards.  None of us can ever do this.  Furthermore, God also told us that we must live by faith, trusting Him alone, to be justified or made right before Him.  This is the good news that brings life in His words which point us to the buying of us back by the one who became the Law’s curse in our place.  Jesus the Christ hung on a tree as the word showed, becoming that curse yet completely fulfilling the Law - innocent and still assuming our penalty for our  failure to follow the Law.  He died as punishment for us so that we by faith can be seen in the light of His righteousness which we could never attain, and have His Spirit live in us to put the Law in our hearts.  This free gift allows us to be bought back, forgiven by trusting in His work, not ours.  This is amazing grace and great news!  

Faith’s Blessing

Galatians 3:5-9    
5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

God does wonderful things we cannot explain, including giving of His own Spirit to live in us!  This is not obtained by reason or hard work to clean us up to be able to approach God, but by hearing and trusting who God is and what He has done in Christ for us.  Abraham did this and that trusting faith in what God said as absolute and reliable truth brought the righteousness of God in His eyes as He looked at Abraham after that.  We are his descendants who likewise believe God in Christ, and are so justified by Christ’s righteousness in that trusting belief that has acted to rely on God.  This same Abraham was told also that we of all nations would be called to so trust for God’s righteousness and the resulting salvation from our sins’ due punishment.  We are truly blessed along with Abraham in this faith in God’s salvation!  

Foolish!

Galatians 3:1-4    
1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? 2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?

Paul used the word for “casting an evil eye,” or bewitched, to show how the Galatians were fooled into not obeying the gospel of grace by faith in Christ alone who was clearly crucified for their sin.  Still they bought the lie that they had to earn salvation by being good enough through keeping the Law instead, the very thing Christ came to do for us since we are infinitely unable to do so ourselves.  They forgot they had God’s Spirit to rule over and transform their flesh to sanctify them, to make them more like what God intended in Eden, as a daily work of God in us.  All they suffered was never for nothing, but all for their discipline and growth, yet they wanted to work out their salvation by their own will and effort instead of relying on God’s work in and through them (Phil.2:12-13).  Let us not be likewise foolishly bewitched.  

Sinners in Grace

Galatians 2:17-21    
17 “But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

We have been freely and completely justified, saved, by Jesus Christ while we were sinners.  That does not mean Christ condones sin and we can continue in it because our works cannot earn salvation, only His grace.  Instead, we build on that pardon from sin so that we live for God His way in obedience and with righteousness as the aim of our choices.  Our identity in Christ is as if we died on that cross with Him where He nailed the handwriting of requirements (the law) to that wood and we left them there by death together, rising again in newness of life.  Now we live by trusting Him who lives within us, the one who so loved us to die in our place when we were still His enemies.  This grace brings His righteousness which cannot be earned by what we do, yet leads us to desire to please Him by righteous obedience afterwards.  He did not die in vain because our righteousness always comes up short, but effectually died so we can live in Him alone. 

Faith in Christ Justifies

Galatians 2:15-16    
15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

The Jews considered themselves righteousness solely as the chosen people of God, and so considered all other nations as sinners.  Jesus made it clear that the gospel is in Him, not by the works obeyed from the Ten Commandments or any other part of the Law which was given to point to our sin and His righteousness.  The bad news is that we all are born in sin and cannot ever do good perfectly enough to meet God’s standards.  The good news is Christ justifies those who acknowledge these facts and trust in Him who justifies the ungodly.  Those chosen and called out to and through Jesus Christ alone are made right with God for eternity, not those who work toward goodness or attempt any other way. 

Live it Straight

Galatians 2:11-14    
11 Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; 12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.   14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?

Peter feared the judgment of others over the entire truth of the gospel, namely that it is to all peoples, tribes, nations, and tongues.  He would not break Jewish tradition and associate with non-Jews when around the other Jews, but would eat with the foreigners when those Jews left.  Paul addressed the hypocrisy because it even carried faithful Barnabas into that sinful behavior.  The truth of God’s gospel is toward all men, that is, those called from every nation, not just the one people through whom it came.  Paul then asked Peter how he could force others to live as a Jew when he lived as a non-Jew when not under the scrutiny of his people.  We are to live the gospel to all people, not only the ones we choose, and not stop when fellow believers judge for doing what is right.  

Favoritism vs. Following

Galatians 2:6-10    
6 But from those who seemed to be something—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man—for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me. 7 But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter 8 (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), 9 and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do.

Paul realized that the apostles were no better for their position alone, as God is impartial to those He calls and uses.  What was important was God’s calling, Peter to the Jews, and Paul to the nations.  Then the apostles saw God’s hand of grace on Paul and Barnabas, welcomed them, and supported their ministry of the gospel to those outside of the perceived chosen people of God, Israel.  They overcame the notion that God only called Jews, and then only asked that they meet the needs of the poor in addition to preaching the gospel.  God’s call on men today follows this pattern, namely that others in the church leaders recognize His hand and support the called ones.  

Never Submit

Galatians 2:1-5   
1 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. 2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain. 3 Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), 5 to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

Paul was shown by God that he had to go with Barnabas and Titus to Jerusalem to tell the gospel that he preached to the nations.  He also preached these words of life and reconciliation with God in Christ to fellow Jews who had a standing among their people, telling them privately as Jesus did with Nicodemus so that he kept an inroad into their hearing.  The pressure to follow the law came from some who crept into the church to disrupt the gospel with added requirements and judgment.  Even these were jealous of the freedom seen in Christ’s people, and so they did all they could to re-enslave the believers to the law of works.  But Paul and company stood firm against the assaults and valiant for the truth.  We are given this example to stand for the gospel of salvation in Christ alone, not by a list of added works and guilt.  

Facing Unknown

Galatians 1:18-24    
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord's brother. 20 (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.).  21 Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. 23 But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God in me.

Paul met Jesus face to face, and then went off to Arabia and came back to Damascus, the road he was originally traveling when he met Jesus.  But he stayed there 3 years before seeing Peter and the other apostles in Jerusalem for 2 weeks.  Then he went to Syria and Cilicia, preaching the words of life that pointed to the faith he once attacked.  God’s grace saved him, took time to grow him and know Him, and then he began serving.  This brought glory to God.  We also come to Christ, grow, and then serve when we are ready and mature by His work in us and leading of us.  This is how we also glorify God in ministering the gospel of Christ, knowing, growing, and following.  

Separated from the Old Life

Galatians 1:13-17    
13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.  15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

Paul was the chief of all sinners before his conversion as well as after.  He recounts before how he attacked the church as a good religious Pharisee, so eager for his old time religious traditions that he outdid all others in this attempt to exterminate the Messiah’s adherents.  But afterwards he recognized that God had chosen him to be born and called out in the grace of the one whose people he attacked, and who destined him to go to the nations his religious sect hated in their misplaced zeal.  Instead of hating the sin of the idolatrous nations, they (and Saul) hated those committing the sin God hated but loved as made in the image of God.  He was then called to reach those being called out of all nations as promised to Abraham with the same undeserved mercy and grace by the words of life in Jesus the Messiah.  We also are to see beyond the partiality of hate and prejudice to speak life to those He calls.

Persuaded

Galatians 1:10-12    
10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.   11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Paul did not persuade God to put a stamp of approval on what he came up with to tell others, nor did he seek to get the crowd’s approval.  He persuaded men with the truth of God’s gospel, the words of life which were given him by Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit.  What Paul preached was shown him by God and communicated by him as His spokesmen, much like Moses and the prophets of old, yet different in the fact that he had the Spirit living in him that those before Pentecost did not.  He also differed from the other apostles in that he had seen Christ on the roar to Damascus, was told where to go many times, and was specifically encouraged by Jesus in Acts 23:11 to endure and eventually go to Rome to testify.  What Paul the servant said was from obedience to persuade men with the grace through faith of the gospel of Jesus Christ, not by his own reason or for his own glory. 

Cursed Messengers

Galatians 1:6-9    
6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

The enemy sow tares within the church, hoping to replace the invaluable grace of God in Christ with another “gospel,” which is not good nor new.  Deception began with Eve and is alive and well, both in the time this letter to the Galatian churches and in the present.  Here we see troublemakers twisting the truth and pulling people away from the simplicity that is in Christ.  Paul warns that even if any man or an angel uttered a different gospel, they are cursed by God.  He said this emphatically and repeated it to assuage any doubt of the readers or hearers of this message.  For us today, we need to be valiant for the truth as Bereans who study zealously to rightly understand the scriptures and avoid these errors.  We can then defend the truth of the gospel so others hear the truth and are truly reconciled to God.  The truth determines the faith that saves souls.  

Galatians - God’s Messenger

Galatians 1:1-5    
1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), 2 and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:   3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Paul was called and given apostolic authority by God Himself, Jesus Christ, and not by his own efforts or other’s attestation.  The God who raised His Son from the grave gave Paul a new life and a new calling to live it to and for the church.  He begins this letter to the churches in Galatia reminding them the instruction and care are coming from him and the other fellow believers with him by that authority, so the words can be trusted as God’s.  He offers God’s grace and His peace as he reminds them that is a result of Christ dying for our sins to save us from the evil world we live in.  This is eternally by God’s will and for His glory.  

Become Complete

2 Corinthians 13:11-14    
11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.  12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.  13 All the saints greet you.   14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

Paul’s final words to this church began with his desire for their spiritual maturity, their sanctification as Christ worked in them and they followed by Paul’s exhortation.  He also wanted them to have peace with God and each other as they obeyed the word of God and knew His love and peace as reconciled and adopted children as he told them elsewhere.  Paul blessed them with that grace and love in the context of the common fellowship they all had in His Spirit living in each one.  This is how it should be so, how we must live in light of eternity with Christ and toward one another.  We have much to learn from Corinth and from God’s messenger to the church there.  

Do No Harm

2 Corinthians 13:7-10    
7 Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though we may seem disqualified. 8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. 9 For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. And this also we pray, that you may be made complete. 10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction.

The minister’s heart wants those ministered and served to do what is right before God according to His word and will.  It is not to demonstrate how good or strong the servant is in helping others, but the truth working to transform lives for God’s glory and our good.  It is for God’s work and our completion, our maturation in Christ, conformance to His image, that gives those called His authority to build up the body of Christ.  We are to build as wise master builders on that solid foundation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, not on our own ideas, methods, or wisdom, and surely not for our accolades. 

Examine Yourself

2 Corinthians 13:5-6    
5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. 6 But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.

Paul urged those who questioned his authority in Christ to test that by all he said and did in the earlier chapters in this letter.  Now he points back to the doubters and accusers to test themselves for signs of proof in themselves that they are truly of Christ.  This is not in retaliation, but to judge themselves by the measure they are using.  He desires most of all that they are assured of their calling and election, their salvation, for that is what he taught them in the gospel and brought them to meet Christ’s grace by.  He further warns that if the changes of regeneration are not present, that disqualifies them, just as it would Paul and his coworkers.  For us, we need to only question our qualification if we see no sign of change within, such as being able to spiritually understand the scriptures, demonstrating fruit of the Spirit, possessing the love of Christ, and other such visible results in a new creation.  

Direct Speaking

2 Corinthians 13:1-4    
1 This will be the third time I am coming to you. “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.” 2 I have told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second time, and now being absent I write to those who have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare— 3 since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. 4 For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.

As Paul said in 2 Cor.12:14, he says again that he is coming for a third time to minister to those in Corinth.  He alludes to the test of a true witness being two or three and applies it to his testimony to them in three visits to validate what God is telling them through Paul.  This time, however, he warns them that he will speak directly and with God’s authority to those continuing in sin.  He will not spare the rod and spoil the spiritual child, in a sense.  Our weakness allows God’s power through the crucified Christ to live through the ministry to be strong in word to others.  This is the proof of Christ working through Paul and us; Christ crucified and risen, living in and through us. 

Transparent Edification

2 Corinthians 12:19-21    
19 Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification. 20 For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; 21 lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.

Transparent, humble honesty is at the core of ministry.  There are no excuses, only the awareness that God is ever present in us to witness how we follow Him.  Here Paul gave the example of building others up with no hidden agenda nor ulterior motive.  This is a two way street between the one ministering and the ones served.  If we do not humble ourselves to speak truth in love as Paul did, it opens the doors to the list of selfish unconfessed sins listed in verse 20.  He also pleaded with those who do not repent when their long standing sins were identified earlier when he visited, and is a warning to us all to deal with sin, both as sinners and as shepherds who serve and minister as called to do, with all humility and transparency.