GALATIANS 1:9

“As we have said before, even now I say again: if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!”

Sometimes you just have to repeat yourself to be understood clearly. In our Every Man A Warrior ministry curriculum, we repeat the skills we are teaching the men over and over. When they memorize a verse, they say the reference (where it is from) before and after reciting it. Repetition is used by preachers in sermons to drive home points. Many of them say what they are going to say, say it and then say what they said. Repetition!

Paul clearly repeats himself here in verse 9. Remember there were no chapters and verses in the books of the Bible originally, so this letter to the Galatians was written just like you would write a letter or email or text. Of the fourteen times the Greek word for “have said before” is used, Paul uses it nine times. He liked to repeat himself. That word also means to predict or say beforehand. Paul repeats his statement to make sure he is not misunderstood.

APPLICATION

What does this verse mean to us? You and I need to keep telling the story of Jesus to everyone we meet. We need to share His love to a lost and dying world every chance we get. 1 Peter 3:15 is a good verse to memorize on this. “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect;” Did you catch that? Peter said, “always being ready.” That means you have had to prepare. You can spit out those verses. You can share your testimony.

Let me encourage you to do your own word study on this. What does the Bible say about sharing the Gospel, about sharing your testimony? You need to have your testimony prepared to give in 1 minute, 3 minutes or 8 minutes. Share it according to the situation but share it. If you are a believer, you have a testimony. You have a story that needs to be told over and over. The more you share it the more comfortable you will be sharing it. Repetition builds skills, remember.

Set a goal this week to share your testimony and the Gospel of Christ with at least one person. Next week try two. Keep sharing. Keep testifying. Guess who you please. Not the preacher. Not your Sunday School teacher. You are pleasing the Lord Jesus. Remember the words of Paul in Colossians 3:23-24.
“23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, 24 knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward  of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”

Lord, this week give me the opportunity to share my testimony and the Gospel to those who need to hear it.