Category Archives: Gospel

Belief, Bible, Blessing, Chosen, Family, Favoritism, Genealogy, God's Will, Gospel, Heritage, History, Salvation, Scripture

HERITAGE

GALATIANS 2:15

“‘We are Jews by nature and not sinners from the Gentiles;’”

I had a hint the other day on one of my genealogy sites. It was pretty awesome. That hint led me back to the 11th century to a relative on my mom’s side of the family. He was an Earl in Scotland. Isn’t that cool? I find these family trees to be intriguing. Knowing where you come from can give you some grounding in life.

As Paul continues his rebuke of Peter in verse 15, we see him talking about his and Peter’s heritage. They were Jews, not Gentiles. They had prior knowledge to the things of Jehovah, unlike the Gentiles, who were commonly referred to as sinners by the Jews. But Paul wasn’t setting himself up above the Gentiles. We can see that later in this letter in Galatians 3:28. “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.”

APPLICATION

What can we make of this verse today in application to our life? Know where you come from! We are told in Ephesians 5:8, “for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light.” We were all sinners doomed to an eternal damnation before coming to Jesus. Never forget what God did for you in salvation. We should stay forever grateful.

I believe the second thing we can see in today’s verse is that God did not make the Gentiles a lower class. He has always desired to see them come to Him. Look at Isaiah 60:3, “Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” Aren’t you grateful for that? God had a plan from the beginning for all mankind to come to Him. He knows who will and who want. But the Word says in John 3:16, “whosover.” That included the Gentiles.

And the final thing I see in this verse today is a warning not to flaunt our position in Christ. I don’t think for a second that Paul was putting down the Gentiles in this verse. I can just see him standing and addressing the crowd. You have to remember that Paul loved these Gentiles and had a mission from God to preach the Gospel to them. He was not putting the Jews above them. We are all the same at the foot of the cross. Praise the Lord!

Father, thank You for saving me. Thank You for giving me a family tree that leads to You.

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Accountability, Advice, Apologies, Bible, Choices, Confrontation, Encouragement, Gospel, Influence, Mentoring, Scripture

BAD INFLUENCE

GALATIANS 2:13

“The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy.”

It is not a good thing to be a bad influence. God does not look approvingly on that. I have to admit that before I came to Christ, I was not the best influence. I had some bad habits that I shared. I repented of that and have apologized to those I may have harmed back then. Even as a believer we can do that also. Let’s look at what happened in Antioch.

Paul begins to get in more detail why he had to oppose Peter to his face (as he said back in verse11). Because Peter stopped eating with the Gentiles, the rest of the converted Jews and even Barnabas, were influenced by him. The word Paul uses for “carried away” is only used three times in the New Testament. Once it is positive (Romans 12:16) and twice negatively (here and in 2 Peter 3:17). These Jews and Barnabas were led away by Peter’s negative behavior towards the Gentiles.

APPLICATION

Why did Paul jump in and confront Peter? Well, we will see more of the story in the rest of chapter 2. But to make a concise point – Paul had to stop the corruption of the Gospel. Peter and the rest of the men who pulled away were essentially adding to the Gospel. They were implying that you had to eat kosher to be right with the Lord. Thank the Lord that didn’t hold up. I love bacon, lol.

Another story of bad influence was told in the book of Acts when Ananias made the plan with his wife Sapphira to lie to Peter about their land sale. Read Acts 5:1-11 for the full story. This decision to follow her husband in this lie cost Sapphira her life. When we influence people in a negative manner, it may not cost them their physical life, but it could spiritually. If unbelievers don’t see a difference in us because of Jesus, they may be influenced to not listen to the drawing of the Holy Spirit in their own lives, thus costing them eternity with Christ.

Who will you influence today? You have the opportunity to be Jesus to someone. You may influence a neighbor by the way you speak to them on the street. You may influence a fellow believer by sharing a prayer request with them or praying with them. We have a high calling. Be an influencer – only in a positive way.

Lord, give me the opportunity today to influence someone to follow Jesus – not me.

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Abiding, Belief, Calling, God's Will, Gospel, Indwelling, Messages, Scripture

HE IS AT WORK

GALATIANS 2:8

“(for He who was at work for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised was at work for me also to the Gentiles),”

I am not a finished product. I am reminded of a song that was popular in the 70’s entitled, “He’s Still Workin’ on Me.” Here are some of the lyrics:

There really ought to be a sign upon my heart
Don’t judge him yet, there’s an unfinished part
But I’ll be better just according to His plan
Fashioned by the Master’s loving hands

He’s still working on me
To make me what I need to be
It took him just a week to make the moon and stars
The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars
How loving and patient He must be
‘Cause He’s still workin’ on me

I believe Paul knew he wasn’t a finished product. The same God who had called Peter to the Jews had called him to the Gentiles. The message was the same – Jesus died to save mankind from their sins. As educated as Paul was as a Pharisee, he knew it was God who had done the work in him necessary to deliver His message.

APPLICATION

It does not matter how you came to Christ; it was not anything you did to deserve it. You have not arrived. Neither have I. Philippians 2:13 tells us, “or it is God who is at work in you, both to desire and to work for His good pleasure.” Paul says again in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

So, if God is at work in you and me, what is that for? For ourselves? Well, yes that’s true. But there is so much more to it. He wants to use His workmanship to accomplish so much in the world. Will you let Him use you?

Praise You, Lord, for working on me. I know I am not the easiest substance to mold sometimes.

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Accountability, Allies, Bible, Calling, Gospel, Purpose, Scripture

IN VAIN

GALATIANS 2:2

“It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that somehow I might be running, or had run, in vain.”

A few times in my life I have found myself trying to get something done and everything fell against me. It was like taking one step forward and two steps back. I was getting nowhere fast. It’s a hopeless feeling and a complete waste of energy. I want to see something accomplished.

I love today’s verse, not so much because of Paul’s revelation or his ministry to the Gentiles. I love the fact that he submitted himself to leadership and wanted confirmation that he was not “running, or had run, in vain.” In the Greek, “vain” is the word kenos. It means to be empty, ineffective or worthless. Paul wanted to know that the work he was doing was not worthless. He wanted to be held accountable. That speaks volumes.

APPLICATION

In Philippians 2:16 Paul says this, “holding firmly the word of life, so that on the day of Christ I can take pride because I did not run in vain nor labor in vain.” He said it again in 1 Thessalonians 15:58. “Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

Vain work is worthless. Vain labors are ineffective. Do you think God wants us to just do something to stay busy? No! Everything God does has purpose. He wants the same for us. Years ago, there was book entitled “The Purpose Driven Life.” It was written by Rick Warren, former Pastor of Saddleback Church in California. It was a best seller. Why? Because people want to have a purpose.

Well, guess what? We are all given a purpose when we come to Christ. What is that? To share the Gospel with as many people as we can before we die. We need to have a passion for others so they can be led to the cross. That is a worthy purpose. It is not in vain. Give God the glory and find your purpose in Him.

Thank You, Lord, for giving me purpose when You called me into Your kingdom.

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Abiding, Affection, Bible, Choices, Commands, Friends, Gospel, Neighbors, Scripture

UNKNOWN

GALATIANS 1:22

“I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which are in Christ;”

In this day of Facebook, Instagram and other social media, it is harder and harder to not be known. People leave a digital footprint all over the place. You may not know somebody personally, but you are friends on the internet. I have friends all over the world, most of whom I have met. But there are some whom I have never met in person. I am known to them, but I am also not really known by them.

Paul stated in today’s verse that the churches of Judea (outside of Jerusalem) did not know who he was. He had not visited them. There were no pictures of Paul being circulated. He could have walked into any of those churches, and they would not have known who he was. Sure, his reputation as a Christian persecutor had spread quickly, but they did not know Paul, especially this new Paul who had been converted and was now preaching Jesus.

APPLICATION

Let me ask you a question. Who knows you? I mean, who really knows you? Do your neighbors know you love Jesus? I have to admit that a lot of the people who live on my street do not know me. Oh, they know I am the guy who drives by in his white pickup. They may have met me at an HOA meeting, but they don’t really know me.

Today’s verse has convicted me that I need to get to know my neighbors, not so much for me, but for them. I need to find out who they are spiritually. I have been placed where I live for a purpose. I have been given the opportunity to be a witness for Jesus right on my street. Would you pray for me that I could be a better neighbor and reach out to those who are literally all around me?

In the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus asks the question – who proved to be a neighbor? If we answer as the lawyer did, we will get Jesus’ reply. Luke 10:37b “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do the same.’” We are commanded to take the healing balm of the Gospel to those around us. Will you join me in reaching your neighbors for Jesus?

Forgive me Father for not being more “neighborly” and reaching out to those who are all around me.

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Bible, Calling, Following, God's Will, Gospel, Ministry, Missionaries, Scripture, Witnessing

TRAVEL PLANS

GALATIANS 1:21

“Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.”

When I travel, I like to have the travel plan mapped out. I want to know how far we are going, where the best stops might be along the way and where we are staying once we get there. My wife accuses me of panicking when I miss an exit, or the GPS stirs us wrong. It’s not that I panic. I just want to know where I am and how to get where I am going. I would not be a very good nomad, lol.

After Paul’s visit to Jerusalem, he tells us he traveled to Syria and Cilicia. Some background to this would prove helpful, I believe. We find this described in Acts 15:22-23. “22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, 23 and they sent this letter with them: ‘The apostles and the brothers who are elders, to the brothers and sisters in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles: Greetings.’” Paul and Barnabas had previously spent over a year in Antioch teaching after the Word had spread there. It was in that city that believers were first called Christians.

APPLICATION

Thanks for the history lesson, Carl, but what does this have to do with me? Well, I am glad you asked. Where is God sending you? Where has he called you to go and share the good news? I remember a quote I heard from Keith Parks, one of the former presidents of the Foreign Mission Board of the SBC (now called the International Mission Board). He said unless God has called you to stay home, you are called to go and spread the gospel. That is true. We are all called to go somewhere – across the ocean or across the street.

Acts 1:8 tells us, “‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’” How about this one? Jesus tells us in Mark 16:15, “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’” One more Jesus quote – Mark 13:10, “‘And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.’”

I think you can see now how today’s verse in Galatians applies to us. We are just like Paul; in that we are being sent out to proclaim the good news to a lost world. Take some time right now to ask the Lord who He wants you to share with today. It could be that crusty, old neighbor who just grunts at you when you meet at the mailbox. It might be a server at a restaurant or your car mechanic. Your mission field is your mission field. Pray for it.

Lord, I am grateful You call each of us uniquely. You have a place for us to go and share the good news.

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Allies, Bible, Commitment, Companions, Decisions, Gospel, Ministry, Missionaries, Relationships, Scripture

LINKING ARMS

GALATIANS 1:18

“Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him for fifteen days.”

Years ago (and I mean YEARS AGO) I taught team building through group games and adventure based learning. One great exercise we did was a group stand up. We began by pairing up in twos, sitting on the ground back to back, linking arms and then standing up together. We kept adding people until the entire group was on the ground with linked arms, using each other as leverage to stand. Not so easy, but it can be done.

Paul knew he had to link arms with the apostles, the ones who had walked with Jesus. Who better to get to know that Peter, called Cephas here? Surely, Paul knew of him. He probably had even seen him with Jesus in Jerusalem years earlier. But now, Paul is a believer. Here he was, an educated former Pharisee, going to meet with Peter, an uneducated former fisherman, to talk about Jesus and their callings to ministry. What a pair!

APPLICATION

God sends us into some strange partnerships, doesn’t He? People we probably would have never crossed paths with in our former lives are now our dearest friends and confidants. In Acts 9:26-27, we see Barnabas (remember him from Acts 4?) taking a chance on Paul. “26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried repeatedly to associate with the disciples; and yet they were all afraid of him, as they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles…” Paul and Barnabas later traveled together on missionary journeys.

Is there someone you need to link arms with to accomplish what the Lord has told you to do? Perhaps it’s a neighbor or a person in your church. You may just have to take a chance. Reach out and see what the Lord can accomplish with your partnership. Maybe you need to link arms with a missionary who is doing work that you cannot do. Missionaries always need more ministry partners to come alongside them and support them financially.

Whomever it is that God is sending your way, get back to back with them, link arms and stand up. Stand up for Him. Stand up for the kingdom. Stand up and fight for those who need to hear the message of the cross. God is sending you. Link arms with others to accomplish more than you could ever see done separately.

Thank You, Lord, for those You have sent my way to link arms with. Show us how You want to use us.

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Accountability, Bible, Boasting, Calling, Correction, Fellowship, Glorify, Gospel, Scripture

NOT MY WORDS

GALATIANS 1:11

“For I would have you know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel which was preached by me is not of human invention.”

Have you ever had to deliver a message to someone from someone else that you knew had the potential to upset that person? How do you start that message? I have a message for you from ________. Now, understand that these are their words, not mine. Am I right? Of course, I am. We want to make sure they know that we are just the messenger.

In verse 11 today, Paul is telling the Galatians something similar. He is telling them that the message that he preached to them didn’t come from him or any other person. Where did it come from? It came from God! The phrase, “not of human invention,” is literally “is not according to man” in the Greek. Paul didn’t get it from Peter or James or any other person. The message, the gospel message is straight from God.

APPLICATION

This is why it is so important for us to be very careful when we handle the Word. I recall Paul’s word in 2 Timothy 2:15. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” In 2 Corinthians 2:17, Paul further explains the need to handle the Word correctly. “For we are not like the many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.”

Handling God’s message to mankind is a weighty job. Far too many people mishandle it. They take what is the truth and make it their own truth. They add to or take away from it. This is what Paul was battling in the Galatian churches. The Judaizers would come in and require these new believers to adapt what they had learned and add certain requirements that had nothing to do with the original message of the Gospel.

Today, we risk the same thing when we require people to jump through our hoops in order to achieve the righteousness of Christ. The Gospel is simple. Christ intended it that way. Don’t complicate it.

Thank You, Lord, for keeping the message of salvation simple of all mankind.

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Bible, Gospel, Messages, Repetition, Salvation, Testimony, Witnessing

LET ME REPEAT THAT

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.

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Accursed, Bible, Deceit, Deception, Enemies, Falsehoods, Gospel, Scripture, Truth

UNRELIABLE PEOPLE

GALATIANS 1:8

“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!”

I’ve known people who were flip-floppers. What does that mean? It means they would change their minds or views on a subject to go along with others. They would stick their finger in the wind and go in that direction. They were not reliable, therefore, for anything important. And they soon proved to be unreliable as a friend or confidant.

In today’s verse, Paul addresses the threat of a changing gospel. He gets pretty forceful by saying even if they hear he, other apostles or even an angel was preaching gospel different than what he preached earlier (only Jesus was required for salvation), let them be accursed. The Greek word for “accursed” is anathema. It means “excommunicated thing, cursed.” That person should be totally disregarded.

APPLICATION

Albert Barnes says this about today’s verse: “It follows from this:

(1) That any other doctrine than what is proclaimed in the Bible on the subject of justification is to be rejected and treated with abhorrence, no matter what the rank, talent, or eloquence of him who defends it. (2) that we are not to patronize or countenance such preachers. No matter what their zeal or their apparent sincerity, or their apparent sanctity, or their apparent success, or their real boldness in rebuking vice, we are to withdraw from them.”

In other words, believers, be careful who you follow. There are so many wolves in sheep clothing out there. The Lord said in Matthew 7:15-16a, “’15 Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits.’”

Paul warns us, also, in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.”

You’ve been warned. There is no excuse. You have to protect your ears by staying in the Word, listening to His voice, spending time in prayer. Listen to the Holy Spirit always and compare what preachers and teachers are saying with God’s Word. Ask the Lord to show you if what they are teaching is true. He will. He wants you to follow only those who know Him.

Father, show me very clearly who is following You and not themselves or our enemy.

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