March 9 “Walking In Wisdom”

Galatians 1

After returning to Antioch, Paul learned that Judaizers, (Jewish Christians who believed in salvation through both grace and works) were stirring up trouble in the churches of Galatia. These Judaizers were teaching a false gospel of Gentiles being required to keep the Jewish laws in order to be saved. In response, Paul wrote a letter to the members calling them back to the one true gospel. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. “ (Eph. 2:8-9) A gospel, Paul reminded them, given to him by a divine source; “For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.” (vs. 12) (You can read more about Paul’s life changing encounter with the Lord in Acts 9)

“Whenever someone advances a message other than the gospel of Jesus Christ or deviates from what the Bible clearly teaches, run for your life! That person promotes death, not life.”.......Dr. Charles Stanley

The adding and taking away from God’s Word is pretty serious business. So serious Paul doesn’t just tell us to stay away from those who teach a distorted gospel, he calls for a curse upon them declaring, “Even if we, or an angel of heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you any gospel contrary to what you have received, he is to be accursed!” (vs. 1:8-9) In 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, Paul says those who teach a different gospel are servants of Satan, and Proverbs 30:5-6 cautions, “Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words or He will reprove you and you will be proved a liar.”

Whether it’s an ear tickling gospel, a prosperity gospel, or a works based gospel, if it doesn’t line up with God’s gospel, it is a false gospel. False gospels keep us chained to rules and laws. False gospels say there are many roads to God. False gospels lead to death and destruction. And false gospels tell us that through our own efforts we can earn everlasting life. But the one true gospel of Jesus Christ gives us freedom and joy, not bondage and despair. The one true gospel of Jesus Christ wipes clean our record, declaring us innocent and blameless. And the one true gospel of Jesus Christ shows us God’s great love in that He gave His only Son to die so that we may live. (John 3:16) 

“The gospel gives an explanation for our existence, clarity for our confusion, grace for our guilt, meaning for our morality, and answers for our adversaries. The gospel makes sense of the world while filling life with meaning and purpose.” (Dan DeWitt) 

As fallen people with fallen hearts, we cannot fathom such a pure, perfect, and unconditional love as is God’s love. A love whose height knows no limits, and whose depth knows no end. And most wonderful of all, a love not earned but offered freely to everyone who receives Jesus as their Savior. Once we were dead in sin, separated from our Father in heaven. But through the grace of God and the blood of His only begotten Son, we can be reconciled back to our Father in heaven forever. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 6:23) This is the only means of salvation. This is the Good News of Jesus Christ. And this is the one and only true gospel!

The story of the Crucifixion is a tough one. It’s gut wrenching what Jesus suffered at the hands of His captors. He endured savagery, mockery, and rejection. He was brutalized and spit upon. What He withstood we can barely comprehend. And He did so willingly. At any time more than twelve legions of angels were ready to rescue the Lord at a moments notice, (Matt. 26:53), yet Jesus bore His Cross to the end. He bore it for our salvation and to see the will of God done.

In the books of the Old Testament we’re told that a blood sacrifice was needed to atone for sin. And God’s plan from the beginning was to reconcile us to Him through the blood of Christ. Before the world was formed, before Adam took his first breath, God knew how man would fall. Because of this, in His infinite love and wisdom, He predetermined for His Son to provide the ultimate sacrifice so that we could have eternal life. “The Lamb was slain from the creation of the world"(Rev. 13:8)

Never once did Jesus stray from accomplishing what God commissioned Him to do. He followed God’s plan to the letter no matter the cost to Himself. And before He ascended to the right hand of the Father, Jesus passed down this same commission not only to the disciples, but to us as well. “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (vs. 16:15) 

Although at times sharing the message of Jesus can seem like a daunting task, many are the reasons as to why we should eagerly spread the gospel to the world around us, and here are but a few.

Obedience- In John 20:21 Jesus says, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” We are Jesus’ ambassadors on earth. (2 Cor. 5:19-29) He displayed perfect obedience and as His followers, we need to follow His example. Hebrews 5:9 tells us that Jesus is the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. And although we know that we are not saved through obedience, our obedience to Him is proof of our salvation.

Love- In Romans 5:8 Paul says, “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Because of His abounding love, Jesus gave His life so ours would be spared. A love He extends to all. And a love we are called to imitate. In 1 Cor. 11:1, again Paul, who out of his love for God and for the people did nothing for his own gain but for the salvation of others counsels, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ”.

Mercy- In 1 Peter 1:3 Peter says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” Because of the grace and mercy of God, We are provided a path to eternal life. We are to extend that same mercy to those who are perishing. Jude 1:22-23 tells us, “And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.” Knowing that each soul saved brings great joy to God, (Luke 5:10) how wonderful it is to be able to spread the Good News of His everlasting mercy!

The mission of saving souls is a serious one. It was the reason Jesus, “emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” (Phil. 2:7) His entire ministry was dedicated to evangelizing the world, and when He ascended into heaven His work on earth ended and ours began. Now it is up to us to go out throughout the lands and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. And, like the women visiting His tomb who received the good news of His resurrection, what a privilege it is to be able to honor the final words of the King and joyfully shout to all who will hear, “He has risen!” (vs. 16:6)

If you have accepted. Christ as your Savior then you have been entrusted with something very special: the Gospel.

The "gospel" means "good news"

The "good news" we are to share is the story of the Savior, Jesus, and how he saves us from eternal separation from God. 

Paul took this entrusted mission very seriously and was always mindful that his ultimate goal was to honor God:

 “but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.” (v4)

In this chapter, Paul discloses some of the attributes and values he embraced when sharing the gospel with others.

1. He considered his time invested in others to be valuable and worth risk and hardship.

“For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.” ( v1-2)

2. He valued honesty and truth.

“For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive,” (v3)

3. He did not seek personal attention or gain.

“For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others.. (v5-6)

4. He showed those he discipled parental guidance and affection. 

“But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children." (v7)

“For you know how, like a father with his children we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.” (v 11-12)

5. He realized that his most valuable earthly accomplishment would be represented by each lost soul who gained eternal life. 

“For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.” (v19-20)

Like Paul, our earthly mission is to share the gospel, investing our time and talents in others to glorify God. Ask God to give you a passionate, affectionate, loving heart that truly cares about the eternal well being of others.