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If We Asked and Paul Answered Today...
Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead... (Gal 1:1)
"Raised from the dead? Interesting. But that was a long time ago. Does this really have anything to do with me and my everyday life?"
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (Gal 1:3-4)
"You keep talking about Jesus. I live in such a confused and confusing world. Are you really telling me that he's the only way to God?"
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 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 accursed. (Gal 1:6-9)
"But Paul, don't you realize how unpopular that message is?"
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Gal 1:10)
"What right do you have to even say such things?"
For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. (Gal 1:11-12)
Galatians 1 unashamedly leads us to an eternally-pivotal fork-in-the-road. Take a moment to appreciate this divinely-designed intersection. Who is Jesus Christ? How does his death and resurrection impact you in this present evil age? What does his offer of grace involve? What does service to him demand? And what will happen if you turn away from him, unresponsive?
Those are questions worth thinking about today.
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