Galatians 1:1-9 Paul introduces himself and justifies his ministry
“Paul, an apostle-sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead— and all the brothers with me, To the churches of Galatia: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
No Other Gospel I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse!”
Sometimes we might think that things were far simpler in Biblical times and that there were fewer cults and misbeliefs. Nothing could be farther from the truth! Just study the story of the Exodus and you swiftly realize that there were all kinds of cults-fertility cults, death cults, cults demanding unusual practices, and even cults demanding sacrifices of live infants.
By Paul’s day, new cults are springing up combining some traditional Jewish practices with the actual Gospel as preached by Jesus. Many of the Judaizers are hoping to compromise, making themselves more acceptable to the Jewish religious hierarchy. These Judaizers insist on Gentiles adapting some Jewish practices and abandoning the freedom preached by Jesus.
Paul is absolutely furious! After spending large amounts of time teaching the Galatians the true Gospel, Paul now finds himself needing to correct a host of misconceptions. As a result, Paul uses stricter language here than in practically any of his other epistles, cursing those who twist the Gospel to suit themselves.
How can we defend ourselves from such problems? The solution is to study the Scriptures so thoroughly so that we know when someone is manipulating or using Scripture to lie. The key to such study is to ask God to guide us and to highlight those principles He wants us to gain from His Word.
James 1:5-8 tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, we need Your wisdom to learn Your ways and Your Word. Please guide us. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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