Galatians 1 - 4

Appointed by Jesus Christ

Note: This covers Sunday and Monday's readings

The book of Galatians is a powerful epistle and firmly establishes Paul's authority among and with the other apostles to teach the Word of God.  Verse 1 wastes no time declaring, "I was not appointed by any group of people [perhaps a sardonic reference to the 11 appointing Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot], but by Jesus Christ himself..."  Paul was not only appointed by Jesus Christ, but also "received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ." (1:12). Based on his authority and his revelation Paul declares anyone and any angel to be cursed if they bring any other gospel (1:8-9).

The Galatians were a church that was heading in the wrong direction. They worried Paul with their reliance on keeping the law and on their own self-righteousness.  Evidently false teachers had come among the Galatians with teachings contrary to the message of grace that Paul taught.  Paul was exasperated with the Galatians calling the "foolish." (3:1).  He could not understand the so-quick change of heart from the truth to a lie. "I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God..." (1:6).  "After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by you own human effort." (3:3).  They confessed initially to the grace of God, but not felt they had to live a certain way, or observe specific days and rites to remain saved.  This is the sort of nonsense that the modern day church in 2010 attempts to teach - both the legalists and the liberalists.  That through our actions - observing a bunch of rules - or by our works - the politically correct gospel - we have to remain saved. This TOTALLY discounts the grace of God and the sacrifice of Jesus at Calvary.

Part of the problem Paul faced, and dealt with in chapter 2, was that even the original leaders were being influenced by this spirit of the law.  Paul tells of confronting Peter to his face (2:11-6).  Peter would behave one way with the Gentiles and another with Jewish believers.  Paul showed him the hypocrisy of his actions and how untenable Peter was from a doctrinal point of view.  Thus, if the leadership was subject to this spirit, then it was no surprise that churches like the Galatians were also being influence away from grace.

May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.