50 lines
2.6 KiB
Markdown
50 lines
2.6 KiB
Markdown
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title = "Galatians 1:1–9"
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date = "2023-07-31"
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### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Galatians1.1-9)
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The book of Galatians was written by Paul the apostle. It says so in the first
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three words, unlike Hebrews, which we don't know the author of nor does it
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really matter who wrote it. For this book, however, Paul is responding to a
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group of false teachers who are discrediting him to the churches of Galatia.
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This makes it vitally important to understand who is writing. Thankfully, Paul
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is very good at putting his name on his own writings, so there is no need to
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wonder.
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Paul identifies himself as an apostle, which is a common Greek word but becomes
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a kind of technical term in the New Testament writings. The word means
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"messenger" and it carries a connotation of one who is sent with authority.
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Thus, the apostles' authority is not inherent but is derived from the One who
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sent them. Biblical apostles were personally commissioned by Jesus to lay the
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foundation for His church. Paul affirms this by saying he is not sent by men
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but by Jesus Christ and God the Father.
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Paul's greeting to the churches of Galatia invokes grace and peace from the
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Lord as he does in all of his letters. He reminds them of the good news that he
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had preached to them when he journeyed through Galatia, specifically that
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Christ gave up His life in order to deliver us from our sins and the evil that
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surrounds us.
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And then he comes out swinging. Paul is really riled up that the Galatian
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Christians are listening to teachers that have distorted the truth. He uses
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very strong language to convey the depths of his emotions about the situation.
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The Galatians may not have realized it, but they are on the precipice of
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rejecting the true gospel for something else. Paul is clear that the good news
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of Christ is the only true way to salvation, and if anyone says differently,
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even if it's an angel from heaven or Paul himself, that person should go
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straight to hell. And then he says it again, he feels so strongly about it.
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Beloved, let us not mince words. Damnation awaits those who teach or follow any
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path other than the Lord's. Salvation is found in no other name under heaven
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than Jesus Christ our Lord. If you have followed along with my study of
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Ezekiel, then you know we have seen how God views sin, and what He does to
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those who persist and cling to it. Cling instead to the cross of Christ where
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His death paid the penalty you deserve so that you may live the life His
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righteousness earned for you that you never could. It's the only way He will
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accept you into His kingdom.
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* * *
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Great is Your mercy on us, wretched sinners.
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