1. What stood out to me from this chapter?
Paul has some strong words about not turning to any other gospel message. At first it might be easy to think that he is some self-absorbed spiritual nazi yelling at people that he's right and nobody else is. But then I remembered that Galatians is actually a letter written by Paul to a church that he basically started and spent a lot of time with. He is like a spiritual father to these people, and they are like his children. He's speaking to them with a loving heart, warning them about people who would try to deceive them. That really makes his tone seem not arrogant but concerned and important.
2. How does this passage relate to any other Scripture I know?
Paul talks a lot about his personal conversion and calling experience in this chapter. Having just read the book of Acts, this story (found in Acts chapter 9) is fresh in my mind and sheds more light on what he is talking about here. Paul also talks about his call has an act of God's grace in 1 Timothy 1:12-17.
3. So what does this mean for my life?
We just finished our fall recharges which had the theme verse of Psalm 107:2. It says, "Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story." I was intrigued by Paul's use of his personal testimony in this chapter and noted a few things that encouraged me to share mine more. First, Paul's testimony was not overly long or full of unnecessary details. He shared what was most relevant for the purpose of his letter. Second, his personal testimony took the message he was sharing from a level of academic debate to a personal, genuine, level. I have to remember that personal stories of faith help people to see how God is really at work in my life.
4. What questions do I have about this passage?
My question is really simple, "When is Paul going to share what the gospel is?" He is adamant about not deserting it, but I'm looking forward to hearing him outline it.
That's it. I'm planning on going through Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians, which will end on Christmas Eve. Join me and feel free to leave your own comments.
In Christ,
Dan
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