Galatians

When I recently finished Beth Moore's Living Beyond Yourself for the second time, I was at a loss as to where to turn next for Bible study. The only women's group I know that meets is already knee-deep in their fall session of another Beth Moore study. I considered going through Believing God (yes, another Beth Moore!) because the first time I went through it, I couldn't listen to her speaking sessions and I just don't think my heart was ready to hear the depth of what that study teaches.

But a brief internet search showed me that I still can't get the audio sessions for Believing God without buying the CDs...not something for which I have the funds right now. While I am daily inspired by Jesus Calling (Sarah Young), I was still longing for something deeper.

I prepared to start Believing God and it just didn't "feel right". So I prayed a quick, "Where do you want me to study, Lord?" and Galatians came to mind. I've done a quick read through of Galatians twice since March because that's where Beth Moore starts out for Living Beyond Yourself, but there's apparently something in this short (compartively speaking!) epistle that Paul wrote to the churches of Galatia that I haven't quite "gotten" yet. So this is where I started.

I've read through the book and following my Inductive Study Bible's suggestion, I've gone back through and marked every reference to the author (in this case Paul) and the recipients of the letter (the churches in Galatia (modern day southwestern Turkey). What I'm struck with initially is that there is absolutely no "shmoozing" with Paul. He quickly and directly gets to the heart of the matter:

"I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ." (Galatians 1:6-7, NASB)

In chapter 1, Paul goes on to give a brief history of his conversion and receiving of the gospel (good news) directly from Jesus...not another man...so it is not distorted. His history includes some of his travels to other churches and how he was received by the apostles in Jerusalem. But by chapter 2, verse 11, he's relaying the story of his confrontation with Peter over this same "different gospel" that even Peter...the pillar of the church...had succumbed to. What was this "different gospel"? It was a teaching being passed around by some of the Jews that Gentiles (non-Jewish Christians) should become circumcised in order to be part of the faith.

But Paul knew this to stand in direct contradiction to what Jesus taught...that the only thing that saves us from sin is complete faith and belief ("putting your trust with" is the definition of believe) in the saving work of Jesus on the cross. This is called grace. In other words, there is no work...nothing we can do by our own hands that bridges the gap between us standing in our sin and the Almighty, all-holy God. Only Jesus, the Christ (Messiah), does this for us.

But the churches in Galatia were being taught a different gospel. One where you had to be circumcised to be "saved". A gospel of works...not grace alone. And Paul was ready to defend his faith and repudiate this false teaching...even bringing up his previous confrontation on this same matter with Peter.

I'm just getting into this book, but here's what keeps coming to mind over and over again:
This epistle of Paul's to the Galatians is estimated to have been written around 47-48 AD. Now, if you believe the historical dating that modern scholars have done, Jesus would have died circa 30 AD. Do the math...less than 20 years after having lived day in and day out with Jesus...watching His arrest, knowing of His crucifixion and seeing Him, talking to Him and walking with Him, Peter has begun to adhere to a perversion of God's gift of grace through Jesus to us. And Paul's not afraid to call him out on it.

Over 2000 years removed from the incarnation of God on Earth, what have we perverted from this simple gospel of grace? What have we conformed to fit our idea of who God is and who we just want Him to be? How do we remain certain that we are adhering to the true gospel...the one of unmerited favor (grace) with God...the gospel that teaches God Himself came to Earth in human form, walked among us, died, was buried and rose again so that we no longer have to be slaves to sin...this same Jesus that said as great as it was for Him to be here, it was better for Him to leave so that His actual Spirit could live inside us...not walking beside us anymore...but inhabiting the very temple of our bodies?

How do we keep from putting our own "spin" on God's simple gospel? Obviously, we have to remain in His Word...the Bible. We absolutely have to communicate with Him...and not just once a day, once a week or once a month. If His Spirit inhabits our bodies, and we're surrendering to His will daily, shouldn't our every thought be in communion with Him? And if our thoughts stray, remembering He inhabits us is a good "guideline" for getting our thoughts back under His control.

And no...this is not easy. And yes...it takes a lot of time and work. But otherwise, how do you know the gospel you believe is truth or not. Are you just digesting what you hear a preacher saying every week without researching it for yourself and praying for God's Spirit to discern for you if it's truth or not?

I know these are tough questions to ask and possibly could require a whole reworking of your life's schedule to set aside the time to study the Bible and be alone with God. I know we Americans like things fast and easy and very uncomplicated...but I also know that we have strayed...very far from God's original purpose for His church (the people...not a building!). I don't even have to spell out for you just exactly how we've strayed...you know it in your soul, don't you?

Will we, like Paul, be called upon to point out the hypocrisy or works-oriented gospel that we may encounter? Possibly. But I know if we are, the Holy Spirit will give us His words to speak, not ours. Because in eternal things, His words...His good news...His gospel is the only one that matters!