We continue our series; "Live Free or Die" (Paul’s letter to the Galatians). Pastor Phil led us on a closer look at Galatians 2:1-10.
There is always a temptation to begin with Jesus, receive His saving grace, but then try and add something to the Gospel -add our own good deeds to somehow try and make God love us more-. God gives, and gives, and gives freely of His love. The cross is a gift for us, we simply say thank you Lord and receive all He has for us. The sacrifice He made is enough.
Jesus Saves (He does it all) = True Gospel. Jesus + anything else = False Gospel.
Apostle Paul was called by Jesus himself, to be a minister of the Gospel to the Gentiles. In Gal. 2:1-10 Paul wanted to make it clear that he was not influenced by the leaders in Jerusalem but rather Jesus was his teacher.
Paul was sent by the Lord to go to Jerusalem. He was defending himself against the animosity of those who would add rule keeping to the simple Gospel. Paul wants to emphasize that the “law” simply points us to reality that we can’t keep the rules and we need a Savior.
There were those who were called specifically to reach out to the Jews, but Paul had been called to reach out to the Gentiles (the very ones he had spent so many years hating, until Jesus saved him).
All of them (us) are called to love people; rich, poor, Jewish, Gentiles, those we love and are comfortable with and those we have been against in the past. This is our call -simple, Jesus saves.
Lord, give us grace to receive all you have and then to give your love away today. Amen.
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