Wednesday, February 25 - read: Galatians 1
When I read the scripture for my daily devotional, I pay attention to what strikes me. At times, the scripture pushes me to reflect on how I am living. I write out at least one part of the passage and spend time writing whatever comes to mind about that passage. What I will be posting here is not a devotional, but just the reflections I have as I read. I usually end with a short prayer.
I invite you to share what strikes you from this chapter. My hope is that as we share together, we can provide each other insights into the scripture.
"10Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."
Paul's questions of whether he is trying to please/gain approval of God or men pushes me. My desire is to please God, but I know that life feels much easier when I please people. There is no doubt that at times, my actions please both God and people. But there are other times when I stand at a crossroads of who I please. God give me the courage to match my desire. Help me to not give into the moment because it is easier.
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Thanks for sharing Ken. I'm always struck by Paul's sacrifices and intense commitment to spreading truth.
ReplyDeleteKen, I consider myself a minister, an example of Christ to my "neighbors". It always feels right when my aim is to please Him, not people. Admittedly, its not always comfortable. I am in prayer this Lenten season that God shows me the way He wants me to serve Him better. Ultimately, I know this will also lead to being a better husband, dad, church member, worker, and citizen. -david
ReplyDeleteThe book of Galatians is a wonderful study for the Lenten season because of the reason for which it was written. Thomas Coke* summarized Paul’s motivation for writing this letter as follows:
ReplyDelete"The Jews, enemies to Christ, and fixed in rejecting his gospel, knew no other justification than that of works, being totally unacquainted with justification by faith. This error had crept into the synagogue through ignorance and superstition. . . . The Apostles attacked it in all their discourses, and spared no pains in establishing the contrary doctrine, justification by grace through faith."
The first chapter is not without challenges. In verse 8 Paul suggests that if an angel taught something other than what he taught such an angel should be cursed. Since man is created a little lower than the angels and since Paul suggests he could be above an angel one must wonder if he was being a little hot headed in making this statement. He certainly is cocksure of himself that he has the truth and if anyone differs from him they are wrong.
Another challenge in the first chapter of Galatians is Paul’s statement in verse 15 about having been set apart before birth for his role in history. Although not as pervasive in thought in our age, prior theologians would have used Paul’s statement here to prove he was a Calvinist, in a sense that other evangelical denominations would not accept. Benson** puts words in the apostle’s mouth “Set me apart for an apostle, as he did Jeremiah for a prophet . . . and ordered my education with a view to that office.” The reference to Jeremiah 1:5 is where Jeremiah stated that before he was formed in his mothers womb God had ordained him as a prophet unto the nations.
Calvin notes*** that “the calling of Paul was more vehemently disputed” which raises the question of whether anyone with whom we come in contact, would dispute our calling or even note that we were Christian.
Perhaps we should learn from this first chapter that a true follower witnesses to the point that there will be those who are uncomfortable and will react, either favorably or unfavorably to the message of the gospel. In verse 10 we learn not to please men but to seek God’s favor and to reveal His son through our lives (vs. 16).
Finally one should note that Paul in his earlier years ripped up the church but “turned away from the piano” as Ken said last Sunday. There always is hope for some of us who at one time were reprobates.
Burton Patterson
*Thomas Coke, A Commentary on the New Testament, vol. 2, p. 622, Oxford, 1803.
**Joseph Benson, Commentary on the Old and New Testaments, vol 7, p. 104, London, 1857.
***John Calvin, 1509-1564 a.d., Commentary on the Epistle of Paul to the Galatians.
This opening chapter of Galatians is a blunt up-front salvo, stating (or re-stating) Paul's credentials (which certainly ain't sissie-like!) and reminding the church that they have drifted from the Gospel's message that God's grace has been given them for salvation. He also is chastening them against listening to charletons, with words couched from deep conviction of the truth given him from God. Yes, he's pretty firm and insists on his identity as an Apostle.
ReplyDeleteIs this message meaningful to our present society which openly, or sometimes slyly, demeans Christianity and grants the "seal of contemporary approval" on atheistic and Satanic ideas? I think so - we are in clear danger and must heed the blunt warning given by Paul.
Anyone who witnessed the Oscar TV performance by Bill Maher, who glibly described "our silly God..." must be challenged and seriously alarmed at how we are drifting from the teachings of the Gospel. Let us be re-charged by this Lenten Season.
humbly, Russ Logan