SCRIPTURE: Galatians 1:11-2:10
OBSERVATION:
Paul defends his message as ‘straight from God’, and he retells his story to make that clear.
His conversion (1:13-16, 22-24) would be like Henry Morgentaler becoming pro-life, or Stephen Harper becoming NDP – a radical change of direction.
Paul describes his specific purpose as being a missionary to the Gentiles (non-Jews).
Set aside from birth, yet Paul didn’t know it until he was called as an adult.
The major crisis in the early church was whether non Jewish Christians needed to submit to Jewish laws (like Sabbath, circumcision, etc) in order to be saved.
Paul states that the good news (gospel) of Jesus says ‘no’, we are free in Christ from those rituals, laws and traditions from Moses’ law.
The one exception stressed is the care of the poor, something that both Moses and Jesus taught (2:10).
APPLICATION:
Paul has a clear sense of his purpose, do I?
Am I guilty of promoting religious practices (going to church, reading the Bible, giving money, serving in the church) as if these were the essence of the message of Jesus?
”God was at work through the ministry…” (2:8), am I aware that God is at work through my ministry? Do I keep this in mind, that it is not my work but God’s work that ultimately counts, where my success depends?
PRAYER:
Lord, You have been at work in me long before I knew about it. You have called me to serve You, help me to do this with my whole heart. Help me to see that my job is not to make church-goers or observers of religion, but to lead people into a personal, life-changing relationship with You. Work through me, I pray, Amen.
Paul was called by God to be His servant. He had a new beginning and applied himself diligently to the task. All too often when when we work in God’s kingdom, we seek man’s approval, before or as we are in His work. We just need to do it with all that He has entrusted to us. God is our driving force.
There are so many separate Christian ministeries in Haiti each in their own specific area. Why I wonder sometimes. Why not join forces? Why start a new ministry? As with Paul, working together, proclaiming the Good News, each in their area of expertise, we continue, committed for service. Not at cross currents, but encouragers of each others miniistries so that His Kingdom may come.
Help me Lord on my way, so that the students I am in contact with are able to see Jesus and make Him their Master who gives meaning and direction to their daily living.