The Church of Jesus Christ was facing serious issues. There could have been division at a very early stage on matters that were critical and crucial and theological.
The very truth of the Gospel was being challenged. That is happening today, and this is one reason why I have turned to the letter to the Galatians in the New Testament. The answers to what happened then are highly relevant to the situation facing the Church of Jesus Christ today!
Most are unaware that we are living in an evil age, from which we need rescuing and saving.
This is so very different from hearing people say - "O I have always thought that - I've been led to believe that - I was brought up to accept such and such." Can all these various thoughts and beliefs be verified and supported by the Word of God.
I remember receiving an answer to a matter that I have never been confronted with for a long time, but prayed about one day in the Culbin Forest. This had been said to me before I sought an answer. I've been waiting for someone to say - "O if I were baptised in water I would be letting down what my parents did for me." If that were said to me now my reply would be - "Did your mother feed you baby food? What type of Heinz baby food are you having for your tea tonight?"
We do need to know that this present evil age will pass away, but if we do not escape from it - if we are not rescued and saved out of its grip and clutches and hold - such people will pass away with it - when it goes.
In these opening verses Paul is already focusing people's attention on Jesus Christ and the Cross - how to be rescued and saved - and he is giving all the glory to God.
Now at the beginning of most of his letters Paul has something to say to commend the people - but he does not do that here. He is astonished! That is so polite.
What he is saying is - I am shattered by what I am hearing - I'm flabbergasted - to learn that you are so quickly deserting the One Who called you - and - turning to a different gospel - which is really no gospel at all! The word Paul uses for deserting is a military term for desertion - AWOL - absent without leave. Being tolerant and tactful are not necessarily Christian Virtues! If a house is on fire, shout out!
Verse 7 - He saw people who had come to Christ - turn away from Jesus Christ - and that is sad. Paul knew what had happened - some people "are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the Gospel of Christ".
Jesus told a parable - as soon as good seed is sown - you can be certain that someone will go around sowing tares - weeds - confusing people - misleading people - leading them away from Jesus. That is always the aim of the enemy.
We have to be very careful as to who leads us, and to be just as careful as to how we lead others.
One thing Paul makes very clear is this - there is no other gospel other than that of Jesus Christ - crucified - shedding His Blood to wash us from our sins - rising from the dead - and calling men and women to repent and believe and be baptised and receive the Holy Spirit.
He goes on to say - if we, or even an angel, should preach any other Gospel, let him be eternally condemned - let him be cursed - anathema. It will provoke God's wrath and anger.
That is the strongest thing anyone can say - to pronounce a curse upon someone - and yet today, many people are under the influence of curses - all kinds of curses - but there is a way out from under the curse.
That is also part of the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ - there is a way out from whatever situation we might have been in or whatever experience we might have been through. There is a way out through Jesus Christ the Son of God - our Saviour - our Redeemer, who buys us back - our rescuer.
There is a way out - into freedom - where we are released - and the chains are broken. That is the only Gospel there is, and it is wonderful and glorious.
"Father, give me a fresh vision and desire - a clear understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. May the fruit of the Holy Spirit grow and mature so that more of Jesus may be seen in me." Amen.
Sandy Shaw is Pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship, Chaplain at Inverness Prison, and Nairn Academy, and serves on The Children's Panel in Scotland, and has travelled extensively over these past years teaching, speaking, in America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, making 12 visits to Israel conducting Tours and Pilgrimages, and most recently in Uganda and Kenya, ministering at Pastors and Leaders Seminars, in the poor areas surrounding Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.
He broadcasts regularly on WSHO radio out of New Orleans, and writes a weekly commentary at http://www.studylight.org entitled "Word from Scotland" on various biblical themes, as well as a weekly newspaper column.
His M.A. and B.D. degrees are from The University of Edinburgh, and he continues to run and exercise regularly to maintain a level of physical fitness.
By Sandy Shaw
Article Source: Vital Crucial Questions Face the Church of Jesus Christ - The Galatian Letter Is of Immense Help!
The very truth of the Gospel was being challenged. That is happening today, and this is one reason why I have turned to the letter to the Galatians in the New Testament. The answers to what happened then are highly relevant to the situation facing the Church of Jesus Christ today!
Most are unaware that we are living in an evil age, from which we need rescuing and saving.
This is so very different from hearing people say - "O I have always thought that - I've been led to believe that - I was brought up to accept such and such." Can all these various thoughts and beliefs be verified and supported by the Word of God.
I remember receiving an answer to a matter that I have never been confronted with for a long time, but prayed about one day in the Culbin Forest. This had been said to me before I sought an answer. I've been waiting for someone to say - "O if I were baptised in water I would be letting down what my parents did for me." If that were said to me now my reply would be - "Did your mother feed you baby food? What type of Heinz baby food are you having for your tea tonight?"
We do need to know that this present evil age will pass away, but if we do not escape from it - if we are not rescued and saved out of its grip and clutches and hold - such people will pass away with it - when it goes.
In these opening verses Paul is already focusing people's attention on Jesus Christ and the Cross - how to be rescued and saved - and he is giving all the glory to God.
Now at the beginning of most of his letters Paul has something to say to commend the people - but he does not do that here. He is astonished! That is so polite.
What he is saying is - I am shattered by what I am hearing - I'm flabbergasted - to learn that you are so quickly deserting the One Who called you - and - turning to a different gospel - which is really no gospel at all! The word Paul uses for deserting is a military term for desertion - AWOL - absent without leave. Being tolerant and tactful are not necessarily Christian Virtues! If a house is on fire, shout out!
Verse 7 - He saw people who had come to Christ - turn away from Jesus Christ - and that is sad. Paul knew what had happened - some people "are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the Gospel of Christ".
Jesus told a parable - as soon as good seed is sown - you can be certain that someone will go around sowing tares - weeds - confusing people - misleading people - leading them away from Jesus. That is always the aim of the enemy.
We have to be very careful as to who leads us, and to be just as careful as to how we lead others.
One thing Paul makes very clear is this - there is no other gospel other than that of Jesus Christ - crucified - shedding His Blood to wash us from our sins - rising from the dead - and calling men and women to repent and believe and be baptised and receive the Holy Spirit.
He goes on to say - if we, or even an angel, should preach any other Gospel, let him be eternally condemned - let him be cursed - anathema. It will provoke God's wrath and anger.
That is the strongest thing anyone can say - to pronounce a curse upon someone - and yet today, many people are under the influence of curses - all kinds of curses - but there is a way out from under the curse.
That is also part of the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ - there is a way out from whatever situation we might have been in or whatever experience we might have been through. There is a way out through Jesus Christ the Son of God - our Saviour - our Redeemer, who buys us back - our rescuer.
There is a way out - into freedom - where we are released - and the chains are broken. That is the only Gospel there is, and it is wonderful and glorious.
"Father, give me a fresh vision and desire - a clear understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. May the fruit of the Holy Spirit grow and mature so that more of Jesus may be seen in me." Amen.
Sandy Shaw is Pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship, Chaplain at Inverness Prison, and Nairn Academy, and serves on The Children's Panel in Scotland, and has travelled extensively over these past years teaching, speaking, in America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, making 12 visits to Israel conducting Tours and Pilgrimages, and most recently in Uganda and Kenya, ministering at Pastors and Leaders Seminars, in the poor areas surrounding Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.
He broadcasts regularly on WSHO radio out of New Orleans, and writes a weekly commentary at http://www.studylight.org entitled "Word from Scotland" on various biblical themes, as well as a weekly newspaper column.
His M.A. and B.D. degrees are from The University of Edinburgh, and he continues to run and exercise regularly to maintain a level of physical fitness.
By Sandy Shaw
Article Source: Vital Crucial Questions Face the Church of Jesus Christ - The Galatian Letter Is of Immense Help!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Informations From: Collections Article