AUDIENCE OF ONE: IS THAT YOU OR CHRIST JESUS?

July 26, 2012

AUDIENCE OF ONE: IS THAT YOU OR CHRIST JESUS?

Galatians 1

Kris Hopson

Central Truth

Seek Jesus with all your heart.

For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10)

Greeting

1 Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2 and all the brothers^{1

1:2
Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated brothers) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters; also verse 11} who are with me,

To the churches of Galatia:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

No Other Gospel

6 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— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 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. 9 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.

10 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^{2

1:10
For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface} of Christ.

Paul Called by God

11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel.^{3

1:11
Greek not according to man} 12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born,^{4

1:15
Greek set me apart from my mother's womb} and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to^{5

1:16
Greek in} me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;^{6

1:16
Greek with flesh and blood} 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother. 20 (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) 21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me.

Footnotes

[1] 1:2 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters; also verse 11
[2] 1:10 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface
[3] 1:11 Greek not according to man
[4] 1:15 Greek set me apart from my mother's womb
[5] 1:16 Greek in
[6] 1:16 Greek with flesh and blood

As I prepared to write this Journey entry, I had a hard time with what to say and how to write it. My perfectionism did not like anything I had written. So I would crumple what I had written up or turn the page to start over. This turmoil continued for days, and the days turned into weeks. Eventually, the assignment was late, and I apologized to the church, explaining that I just could not do it. I was overwhelmed with what my friends and family would think. I knew God wanted me to write this devotional, even though I struggle with what others think of me. But I ultimately realized the main issue was inside of me: who I was serving -- Christ or myself?

Paul wrote about sacrificing the desire to please man and to lay our life down to speak the truth of who Christ is. In Philippians 3:8-9, God reminds us that we must be willing to lose our life for the gain of Christ Jesus: ". . . I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ . . . ."

The Galatians were leaning on their own understanding by looking for direction from others around them who perverted the gospel with rules and activities. This caused confusion and blinded the Galatians from the truth. Why would we ever turn to man or even ourselves when we have God who is perfect in every way and knows what is best for us and for His glory (Proverbs 3:5-6)? And we have His Word that gives us direction and the hope.

I thank God for the truth of His Word that sets me free from the fear of man and of myself when I seek His approval first (Matthew 6:33).

1. 2 Corinthians 5:15 says: "[A]nd he died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf." What are the areas in your life in which you are putting the approval of others (and yourself) above God's approval?

2. Are you seeking His Word for the answers you need? And are you waiting patiently to hear from Him? (See Isaiah 40:31, Joshua 1:8, and Psalm 40:1.)

3. What laws or activities are you allowing to distract you from spending time with God and having a deeper relationship with Him?

4. Where do you need to be real about your imperfections and allow God to change you and use you for His glory and kingdom? (See 1 John 1:8-10.)

WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY

2 Corinthians 11 - Galatians 2 (July 23-27)

Read 2 Corinthians 11:16-33.

• Make a list of all the things that happened to Paul. Discuss which one you think would be the hardest.
• What does Paul say in verse 30?
• What do you think it means to boast in your weaknesses?
• Have each person make a list of your weaknesses and hardships that you have been through.

Now read 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 and Romans 5:3-5.

• What are the blessings of hardships and weaknesses?
• What does it mean to trust the Lord in the hard times?
• What does it mean to trust Him in your weaknesses?

Activity: Go back over your lists. What is the weakness or hardship that you are struggling with most? Put everyone's name on a piece of paper and have each family member draw a name. This week, do different things to encourage that person in his or her toughest struggle right now. Find verses to encourage them and pray for them.