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Galatians 1:6-24

Two verses here in chapter one are similar: 1 and 12. For Paul, the truth of his apostleship and the truth of his message, stand or fall together. If Paul was not an apostle, then his claim to authority and truth falls. Likewise, if his gospel proves to be of human origin, manmade, then he forfeits the right to be called an apostle of Christ.

Can you imagine what Paul was going through? The people he had taught, encouraged, and helped, whom he had worked and worshiped with shoulder to shoulder, were to his amazement, and astonishment, turning away from the true Gospel he had taught them.

But, Paul did not give up on them. And he wrote this letter in hopes of bringing them back from the verge of spiritual ruin.

How often do we see a brother or sister on the wide and easy way that leads to destruction but do and say nothing?

In Matthew 7, Jesus said, “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets”(the Golden Rule).

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

In our efforts to lead others to Christ, to disciple, we cannot leave them with the idea that all will be peaches and cream at their conversion. We have an enemy that will be casting doubt, sowing discord, and doing his best to kill, steal, and destroy any thought of their turning to Christ for salvation.

He will do all he can to get us and those we disciple to desert the Gospel, either by perverting it as he did then and there in Galatia, or by some other means, anything to draw us away from Christ and His church.

There are many, just like there were in the congregations in Galatia, that are in the process of deserting Him who called them in grace. They may not be turning to a different gospel, but, they are turning away. Today, we have many gospels: the perverted prosperity gospel, the name it and claim it gospel, the I-had-a-moment-of-belief gospel and, my favorite, I-don’t-have-to-attend-a-service-or-be-active-as-a-Christian gospel.

Jesus said in Luke 9, “If anyone would come after Me, (be MY disciple) let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.” Do you want to hang on to, or save, the way you are living now, or are you going to deny yourself, lose your life, and move forward for the sake of Christ and His kingdom?

If you choose to move forward and follow Christ, walking in obedience to what He preached, then you are living out the gospel of Jesus Christ. Colossians 3:16 tells us, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Or do you find yourself chasing after a different gospel, one like our Galatian friends were following, Christ plus…

But just what is the Gospel, the Good News, that Paul is preaching? Paul laid out the Gospel of Christ to the congregations in Corinth. 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 Is God’s grace to you in vain or are you following Christ, a believer, a Christian?

Who has the power to raise the dead?  Who can make the blind to see?
Who can save us from our sin?               Who holds the keys that set us free?
He is our hope, our righteousness          He paid it all to bring us peace
Jesus, only Jesus                                         Jesus, only Jesus

Paul’s apostleship and the Gospel he preached are tied together… Vs 1

We are reading a letter from Paul, the Apostle of Jesus Christ. The Gospel that he preached is straight from Christ Himself, not one he received from another man. This gospel he speaks of, did not, and does not, belong to the purely human level of things, it is not guided by human motives or ambitions.

If, as Paul argues, this Gospel is from God, then it comes to us, and through us, to others with the divine power and urgency of the Holy Spirit. If the word we give is a human word then we speak without the power and authority of God to back it.  And let me tell you, people know…

Vs. 22-23 – they Glorified God Because of Paul’s conversation and salvation and His preaching the faith, The Gospel of Jesus Christ! (The Churches)

Digging Deeper

• What is the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
• What or whose Gospel are you following?
• How can you be sure?

Further Reading: Romans 1:1, Matthew 7:15-29, Matthew 16:24-26, Romans 6:16-19 (17), 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Luke 9:23-26, Proverbs 30:5-6, Revelation 22:18-19