It was a perilous time for the early Galatian church.  Having so recently accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ, they were bombarded by false teachers.  Paul recognized the danger of adding legalism to the gospel message.  Jesus Christ’s redemptive work on the cross had ripped asunder the veil standing between God and mankind.  There could be no other means of salvation.  The law had failed; because, the human heart could never attain the righteousness required to commune with a perfectly righteous and just God.  Jesus Christ, left His throne in heaven to walk among men, to suffer, and then to die on a cross, providing the propitiation for our sins. To add anything to that completed work is a heresy; just, as it is a heresy to abandon the cross.  Abandoning the gospel of the Cross is dangerous; because, there is no other means of salvation for sinful man.

Paul did not mince words as he went directly to the heart of the issue.  “I am amazed that you are turning away so soon from God who, in his love and mercy, invited you to share the eternal life he gives through Christ; you are already following a different “way to heaven,” which really doesn’t go to heaven at all.  For there is no other way than the one we showed you; you are being fooled by those who twist and change the truth concerning Christ” (Galatians 1:6-7, TLB).  Abandoning the Cross, the truth of God; is a very dangerous thing; because, there is no other means by which humans may be saved.

Abandoning the Gospel Message of the Cross? We must Never!

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Paul’s authority to teach the gospel was under attack by the Judaizers.  However, he was more concerned  that the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ was under direct attack.  The Judaizers attacked the foundation of the gospel of Grace alone for salvation in the early churches in Galatia.  They taught salvation by grace plus works by submitting the people to the Jewish law.  He came to the defense of the Gospel message in his letter to the Galatians.  First, he defended his authority as the twelfth apostle, chosen by Jesus Christ.  Judas was no longer the twelfth apostle. Therefore, the twelfth apostle to replace him, was chosen by Jesus Christ. Paul’s authority to be named among the twelve did not come by being chosen by men; rather, he was chosen by the risen Lord.  Any authority to teach the true gospel message, must come from God Himself.

Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) (Galatians 1:1).  Paul began his letter by going directly to the core.  No one has the authority to teach any gospel or message beyond the truth that Jesus Christ is the only means to salvation, as He had presented, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).  If we teach any message beyond that which the inerrant word of God presents, we have failed.  Always, we must be aware and diligent to study God’s word, guided by the Holy Spirit; so as not to apply man’s psychology or thoughts.  We must prayerfully study so as to rightly divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

Authority to Teach the Gospel

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The gospel of Jesus Christ is our only hope for salvation.  A gospel of Grace Alone founded upon God’s love.  There are many who would want to add to that gospel, declaring that we must once more be subject to the very law which never had the power to save us.  Our pride filled hearts wants to believe that we can of our own strength live a life of righteousness, presenting to God our good works as an example of our worthiness.  Yet, if that were true; why would Jesus have died for our sins?  As Christians, yes, we are to aspire to good works; but not by our own strength.  We must grow in the Grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ.  Then, and only then can we shine forth as beacons of hope to the world.

Because our salvation is through Grace alone, we earnestly desire to love Him more.  That love with the guidance of the Holy Spirit that indwells us transforms our hearts to be more like Him, which is something we cannot due of our own strength and volition.  As long as we think we can conquer sin of our own accord, we will fail desperately in our efforts.  However, when we embrace the truth of the gospel, our own helplessness forces us to turn to Him to be our strength, our guide, our hope, and our resource to live the life He intended us to.  Only when we let go of our own pride, clinging to Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord; can we begin to live out our true identity founded in Christ Jesus as Christians.

GRACE ALONE

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When you look at the cross, what do you see?  Do you see the pain and suffering of Jesus Christ or do you see His Glory displayed there?  At any point, Jesus could have said, “no”.  As Sovereign Lord, He could have; but, instead He chose to willingly accept all the pain, rejection, and the humility of the cross.  He did so to provide a means of salvation for you and me.  When Judas came with the soldiers to capture Him, He went out to meet them.  He did not wait for them to take Him.  Instead, He went to them and asked, “Whom seek ye?” (John 18:4).  As they answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth”, He replied, “I AM He” (John 18:5).  The Great I AM stood before them, ready to go the cross, the Glory of God shone forth.

Hearing these words, they step backwards, falling on their backs (John 18:6).  His Divine Power and Glory shone forth, such that they fell. He could have overtaken them. Furthermore, He could have called a legion of angels to defend Him; but, He did not.  Willingly, He stepped forward; allowing them to bind Him and take Him to trial.  Six trials later, Pilate declared Him innocent; yet, He was beaten, spat upon, and nailed to a cruel cross.  He remained in control, even of His cruel death upon that cross.  Choosing the moment and the time of His own death.  As He proclaimed to Pilate, “Thou couldst have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above” (John 19:11).  “To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth” (John 18:37).

The Glory of God Displayed on the Cross

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In this journey as humans, we want recognition and to stand strong.  Regardless of the topic, we want to be right and to have the final say.  Yet, in God’s Kingdom; we are called upon to be humble.  Just as Jesus humbly bowed to the will of the Father, obedient unto the cross; we are called to humbly bow in obedience to the Father’s will.  Asked to serve our brothers and sisters; while teaching the truth of the gospel with gentleness, kindness, and humility.  It is not about being first.  Instead, when we see even a glimpse of  the Glory of Jesus Christ, though through a glass dimly; we bow in humility as to the grace He has given unto us.

This lesson Jesus taught His disciples repetitively.  He gave His apostles the special powers to heal the sick; yet, cautioned them to remain humble and faithful, recognizing the power to be from God, not their own.  Furthermore, Jesus took a few to the Mount of Transfiguration where His Glory was displayed.  They watched as He aptly answered the Pharisees, using scripture.  He patiently taught them well.

Beyond all that, He told them repetitively of His coming betrayal, how He would be beaten, ridiculed, mocked, and would die on a cruel cross to be the sacrificial lamb.  Yet, they each time, only demonstrated concern regarding their own position in the coming Kingdom.  Perhaps they believed He would establish that Kingdom immediately following His resurrection.   So much so, they discounted the death and only could think about the coming Kingdom and their place in it.

Do we do the same?

God’s Kingdom

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