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CHAPTER 1
LESSON ONE
LEAVING GRACE?
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel — which is really no gospel at all.
Galatians 1:6-7
REFLECTION
Most people do not enjoy confrontation. Few go through life looking to pick a fight. And yet, conflict is an unavoidable fact of life. What is your typical course of action when you find you have to speak hard truths to a friend, neighbor, or colleague?
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SITUATION
During Paul's first missionary journey, he and Barnabas planted a number of churches in the Roman province of Galatia. It was a successful trip, but upon his return, he learned that other teachers had arrived in the region and were preaching a different gospel — one based on salvation through works and adhering to Jewish laws and customs. Paul was troubled to hear that many people in the churches he had founded were being easily swayed by this idea that salvation was not through grace alone. In response, Paul forgoes his words of "thanksgiving and praise" for the believers so common in his letters and gets straight to the heart of his concerns.
OBSERVATION
Read Galatians 1:1-10 from the New International Version or the New King James Version.
New International Version
1 Paul, an apostle — sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead — 2 and all the brothers and sisters with me,
To the churches in Galatia:
3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel — 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God's curse! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God's curse!
10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
New King James Version
1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), and all the brethren who are with me,
To the churches of Galatia:
3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
EXPLORATION
1. The first sentences of Paul's letter to the Galatians have an abrupt and somber feel. Why do you think Paul chose to open in this manner?
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2. Paul begins by presenting his "credentials" as an apostle. Why do you think he felt the need to do this? When is such an action valid or invalid?
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3. What reason does Paul give for being "astonished" (verse 6)?
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4. Why is the "new gospel" the Galatians are embracing not good news?
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5. The word "curse" Paul uses in verses 8 and 9 means "eternally condemned." What does this suggest about tinkering with the gospel or altering Christ's message?
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6. What is the "simple gospel" (see also 1 Corinthians 15:1-4)?
INSPIRATION
What is the work God wants us to do? Pray more? Give more? Study? Travel? Memorize the Torah? What is the work he wants?
Sly is this scheme of Satan. Rather than lead us away from grace, he causes us to question grace or to earn it ... and in the end we never even know it.
What is it, then, that God wants us to do? What is the work he seeks? Just believe. Believe the one he sent. "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent" (John 6:29).
Someone is reading this and shaking his or her head and asking, "Are you saying it is possible to go to heaven with no good works?" The answer is no. Good works are a requirement. Someone else is reading and asking, "Are you saying it is possible to go to heaven without good character?" My answer again is no. Good character is also required. In order to enter heaven, one must have good works and good character.
But, alas, there is the problem. You have neither.
Oh, you've done some nice things in your life. But you do not have enough good works to go to heaven regardless of your sacrifice. No matter how noble your gifts, they are not enough to get you into heaven.
Nor do you have enough character to go to heaven. Please don't be offended. (Then again, be offended, if necessary.) You're probably a very decent person. But decency isn't enough. Those who see God are not the decent; they are the holy. "Without holiness no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14).
You may be decent. You may pay taxes and kiss your kids and sleep with a clean conscience. But apart from Christ you aren't holy. So how can you go to heaven?
Only believe.
Accept the work already done, the work of Jesus on the cross. Only believe ...
It's that simple? It's that simple. It's that easy? There was nothing easy at all about it. The cross was heavy, the blood was real, and the price was extravagant. It would have bankrupted you or me, so Jesus paid it for us. Call it simple. Call it a gift. But don't call it easy.
Call it what it is. Call it grace. (From A Gentle Thunder by Max Lucado.)
REACTION
7. Why do you think it is so hard for people to grasp the concept of grace?
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8. What are some things (other than Christ) that Christians tend to rely on to try to establish their approval in God's sight?
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9. How would you answer the person who read this passage and said, "I don't get why Paul is so upset over a few theological semantics?"
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10. When you look at your church, do any trends "astonish" you or cause you to "marvel" (in a negative sense)?
11. Is the gospel message you share with others marked by radical and risky-sounding grace? Why or why not?
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12. How will you respond the next time you hear someone share a distorted version of the gospel?
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Grace is what sets Christianity apart from every religion in the world. God offers his unearnable salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life not as a reward but as a free gift. Nothing — absolutely nothing — is required on our part except to believe. There is no fine print and no strings attached. When we trust in what Christ has done and rely solely on his promises, all the treasures of heaven are ours. It doesn't matter how miserably we've failed in the past. It's irrelevant how messed up our lives are right now. Grace is true and certain no matter what we might do or fail to do in the future. It sounds too good to be true ... but that, in a nutshell, is the simple gospel. The only question is this: Have you received Christ's remarkable gift?
DEVOTION
Father, thank you for the gospel. We could never earn your favor, but we can be recipients of your grace. We can enjoy all your blessings simply by trusting in Christ as our all-sufficient Savior. Help us to live this message. Help us to show it by our lives and share it with our lips.
JOURNALING
When were you first struck by the "free" nature of the gospel — that faith, not works, is the doorway to peace with God?
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FOR FURTHER READING
To complete the book of Galatians during this twelve-part study, read Galatians 1:1-10. For more Bible passages on the gospel of grace, read Acts 15:6-21; Romans 3:21-24; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Ephesians 2:8-9; and Titus 3:4-7.
CHAPTER 2
DEFENDING THE GOSPEL
But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. ... It came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Galatians 1:11-12 NKJV
REFLECTION
In one sense, life is all about our interaction with God. Some of us have run from him in the past. Others of us are finding our way back to him. What is your unique faith story?
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SITUATION
Now that Paul has gotten his readers' attention with his opening remarks, he begins to set out the case for the true gospel of grace that he presented when he was with them. To do this, he will draw on examples from his own past in Judaism and show how the process of how he went from being a fierce persecutor of the church to a set-apart minister to the Gentiles (non-Jews). Paul rehearses these particular incidents to show that he did not receive this gospel of grace from any person, but in truth received it directly from God.
OBSERVATION
Read Galatians 1:11-24 from the New International Version or the New King James Version.
New International Version
11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
13 For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when God, who set me apart from my mother's womb and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.
18 Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 I saw none of the other apostles — only James, the Lord's brother. 20 I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie.
21 Then I went to Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only heard the report: "The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy." 24 And they praised God because of me.
New King James Version
11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord's brother. 20 (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.)
21 Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. 23 But they were hearing only, "He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy." 24 And they glorified God in me.
EXPLORATION
1. How does Paul describe the gospel that he preached to the Galatian believers?
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2. Why was Paul an unlikely candidate for becoming a Christian — much less God's appointed missionary to the Gentiles (see Acts 9:1-20)?
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3. Why does Paul make such a big deal about not getting advice or help from any person (or persons) after his conversion?
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4. What does Paul's testimony reveal about God's patience and mercy?
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5. When did Christ first become real to you — more than just a name or an idea?
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6. Why do you think people get so fanatical about religion? How can you tell when zeal and passion have cross over the line into fanaticism?
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INSPIRATION
Guilt sucks the life out of our souls. Grace restores it. The apostle Paul clung to this grace. To the same degree that he believed in God's sovereignty, he relied on God's mercy.
No one had more reason to feel the burden of guilt than Paul did. He had orchestrated the deaths of Christians. He was an ancient version of a terrorist, taking believers into custody and then spilling their blood. "Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison" (Acts 8:3).
In addition, he was a legalist to the core. Before he knew Christ, Paul had spent a lifetime trying to save himself. His salvation depended on his perfection, on his performance. "If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless" (Philippians 3:4-6).
Paul had blood on his hands and religious diplomas on his wall. But then came the Damascus road moment. Jesus appeared. Once Paul saw Jesus, he couldn't see anymore. He couldn't see value in his résumé anymore. He couldn't see merit in his merits or worth in his good works anymore. He couldn't see reasons to boast about anything he had done anymore. And he couldn't see any option except to spend the rest of his life talking less about himself and more about Jesus. (From Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado.)
REACTION
7. What situations in your own life are proof that God doesn't give up on his children?
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8. What features of the Christian faith indicate it obviously wasn't fabricated by humans?
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9. How zealous are you? If you've lost your passion for Christ, how can you get it back?
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10. Scholars believe Paul spent his time in Arabia in study, reflection, and preparation for the message he would share. How do you find time for reflection in the midst of your busy life?
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11. Paul emphasizes how his experience with God was direct and not mediated through other people. How much of your knowledge of God is based on first-person experience?
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12. Paul's conversion resulted in a dramatic transformation that had everyone buzzing. What have been the most significant changes in your life since you met Christ?
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LIFE LESSONS
It's often said, "The Lord works in mysterious ways." How true. Start with the gospel of grace. Are we to believe God offers enemies of the gospel unconditional pardon and adoption into his family? Or that heaven's most glorious riches are lavished on the least deserving? It all reads like a fairy tale. And it gets even wilder. God announces his intention to partner with the likes of us so others can experience his love and grace. He could use angels or employ supernatural means, but instead he uses us. And what do we do? Mostly, we stumble and fall and fail. Yet the Lord never gives up on us and never aborts his plan. He works in us, and through us, despite us. The villains become the heroes. What a mystery! What a miracle! What a God we serve!
DEVOTION
Father, you amaze us. Thank you for the beauty and power of the gospel that you have given to us. We open our hearts to you today and invite you to work through us. Transform us. Make our lives a continual tribute to your goodness and grace.
JOURNALING
How do you react when you consider the type of grace that God is offering to you today?
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FOR FURTHER READING
To complete the book of Galatians during this twelve-part study, read Galatians 1:11-24. For more Bible passages on zeal, read Psalm 119:137–144; John 2:13–17; 4:34–38; Acts 18:24–28; Romans 10:1–4; 1 Corinthians 9:19–23; and 2 Timothy 1:6–12.
CHAPTER 3
LESSON THREE
RIGHT WITH GOD
I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!
Galatians 2:21
REFLECTION
Just about every religious community or church group has its own particular code of conduct. What were some of the activities — both prescribed and prohibited — by the spiritual community in which you grew up?
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SITUATION
Paul continues to relate his testimony in this portion of his letter to show how the "pillars" of the Jerusalem church — James, Peter, and John — not only approved of him sharing the gospel with the Gentiles but also did not require the new converts to adopt Jewish practices. In fact, the only requirement he was given was to "remember the poor" (Galatians 2:10), which Paul was more than eager to do. However, Paul then relates how the disciple Peter created confusion in Antioch by showing favoritism to the Jewish believers. Paul was willing to confront and correct even Peter on this point to reiterate only Jesus can make us right with God.
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "Life Lessons from Galatians"
by .
Copyright © 2018 Max Lucado.
Excerpted by permission of Thomas Nelson.
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