Life's Journey

Galatians ~ Week 1 ~ Day 4

Today we are reading Galatians 2:1-10. I have posted it below. If you have a few extra minutes please share your insights, applications, or thoughts. Here are today’s verses for you to read…This is fun fellowshipping with you!

Galatians 2:1-10

“1 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. 2 I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. 3 But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. 4 Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— 5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. 6 And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me. 7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised 8 (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), 9 and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and them to the circumcised. 10 Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.”

“They asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.” Galatians 2:10

After 14 years, Paul went to Jerusalem to meet privately with the leaders. He wanted to be sure that they were preaching the same gospel because some false brothers had slipped into the church and were adding in legalistic rules for salvation. After it was clear that they all were in agreement, they asked that Paul remember the poor. Right after clarifying the gospel, Paul talks about caring for the poor. He could have talked about anything else—tithing, loving one another, or perhaps styles of worship but the very next focus was the poor. Some believe if we preach too much grace then believers won’t do anything for the Lord—but it’s the opposite. God’s grace should motivate us to help others. Because we have been rescued, we need to rescue others who are oppressed and in need. Paul was a very busy man—-traveling, speaking, writing and in prison——yet he was not too busy to help the poor. Instead, he was eager to help the poor.

My reflection for the day: I love being reminded that God is no respecter of persons, God is loving of all. But for the grace of God, there goes I ~ thank you Lord that you saved and set me free. He has no favorites. He cares for the lowest of those. Everyone is equal in God’s eyes to receive the Gospel no matter if there are differences of opinion.

Reflection Questions: Are you eager to help the poor? How does remembering God’s grace motivate you and in what ways can you do more to help the poor?

Today we are in Galatians 1:11-24 which I have shared below. Feel free to share any comments or insights with the group.

“11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. 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, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; 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 for 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.” Galatians 1:11-24

“The gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man… but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.” Galatians 1:11,12

Paul says he was set apart before he was born, to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. Yet, he was a man of high status in Judaism, who violently persecuted the church. God did not call Paul because of something he had done to please God. Instead, God extended his grace to Paul so that God would get all the glory. Jesus was revealed both to him and in him.” has a powerful testimony. While he was religious, successful, and in a powerful position, he was full of sin. He was trying to destroy the church – then he encountered God! Oh, what a beautiful testimony he has gone from darkness to light. He says in verse 24, “they glorified God because of me.” Because of his testimony, they glorified God. Some of us have amazing testimonies like Paul and others of us have ones that are simpler. Regardless of when and what was going on in your life, we all have had our trials and – and that is a part of our testimony now too. God’s glory is seen in all of our testimonies!

My reflection for the day: I am so glad that I have a testimony that Jesus came into my life and totally changed it! I love how God is active in our lives before we were born, shows His love and grace for us. It is then we are to make a choice as to what we do with Jesus. Paul’s choice has positively impacted so many and I know that we all have that ability in our lives, no matter how big or small our testimony seems to each of us! I pray that my choices have a positive impact on others’ lives.

Reflection Question: What is your testimony? Have it ready and pray for an opportunity to share it with someone.

Today we begin our study in Galatians!! Welcome to the first day of our study together. I am excited that you have decided to do this and praying that we will all grow and learn together. If you have a few extra minutes please share your insights, applications, or daily thoughts. Here are today’s verses for you to read…I look forward to fellowshipping with you! We are reading Galatians 1:1-5. I have posted it below.

Galatians 1:1-5″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 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.

“Week 1 ~ Day 1 – “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Galatians 1:3

The book of Galatians opens with grace and closes with grace. First, Paul reminds the Galatians that he is an apostle, which means “one who is sent”. He declares that he was not sent by man but by God. Then, he uses a familiar phrase used in all of his letters, wishing them both grace and peace. Paul uses the word grace more than any other New Testament writer. He used it over 100 times in his writing and he explains that the grace comes from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins. Take note of the word order that Paul always puts in his greetings. He puts grace first and peace second. We must first experience God’s grace before we experience his peace. The Greek word for grace is caris, which is unmerited favor, or an unearned gift freely given. Because of God’s grace, we have reconciliation and peace with God.

My reflection for today: “Jesus is the perfect gift and all I need.” v4. This verse really stood out to me because that is where it all starts, knowing Him! Grace is so important and it’s definitely unearned. Paul also states, grace before peace, which is interesting ~ Grace comes before Peace. Grace is not earned by us but given as a gift from our amazing God, and we can invite grace into every situation that is unsettling in your life. I like how Paul emphasizes that he is sent by God and not man – remember that each of us has a calling and place that God had designed and set for us, don’t let anyone take that away from you. You are called by God and He has set you here for such a time as this, no matter how big or small you think your place down here is.

Reflection Questions: Is Christ your Savior? How have you experienced the grace and peace of God in your life? When we do not have peace, oftentimes it is because we are not walking in God’s grace. In what area of your life do you need more grace and peace today?

Are you in? Invite your friends

Introduction to the Book of Galatians

Paul wrote to the church in Galatia because they were deserting the grace of God and returning to Moses’ law. They were also questioning Paul’s apostleship and so he spent the first two chapters defending his authority as an apostle of Christ.

Next, Paul defends the gospel and reminds them that they are saved by faith alone, in Christ alone and that no works of the law would earn them favor with God. He wanted them to experience freedom from legalism, sin and the law and to live their life of faith, led by the Holy Spirit.

He closes with a list of the works of the flesh and then a contrasting list of the fruit of the Spirit. He reminds them of the principle of reaping and sowing, and how if they sow to the flesh, they will reap corruption but if they sow to the Spirit, they will reap eternal life. Paul opens the book with grace and closes the book with grace and emphasizes grace—all the way through. We are justified by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone and because of Christ’s work on the cross, we have been set free.

The Purpose: The purpose of this Galatian letter is that salvation only comes through faith alone, in Christ alone. The Galatians were replacing the grace of God with Moses’ Law and so Paul wrote to correct their errors and affirm them in their faith.

The Author: The Apostle Paul.

Time Period: Between A.D. 49 and 55
During Paul’s first and second missionary journeys he visited South Galatia (Acts 13 &15), so this letter was written to the churches he visited there. This is most likely the first New Testament book written.

The Purpose: The purpose of this Galatian letter is that salvation only comes through faith alone, in Christ alone. The Galatians were replacing the grace of God with Moses’ Law and so Paul wrote to correct their errors and affirm them in their faith.

The Author: The Apostle Paul.

Time Period: Between A.D. 49 and 55
During Paul’s first and second missionary journeys he visited South Galatia (Acts 13 &15), so this letter was written to the churches he visited there. This is most likely the first New Testament book written.

Key Verse: Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

The Outline:

1. Introduction (1:1-5)
2. The Problem (1:6-9)
3. Paul’s Defense of His Apostleship (1:10-2:14)
4. Paul’s Defense of the Gospel and Grace by Faith (3:1-4:31)
5. Freedom Found in Christ (5:1-6:10)
6. Conclusion and Final Rebuke (6:11-18)