Today I was studying Galatians 2 for my devotions. Here are some great things that stood out to me as I read. Many of which I already knew but serve as great reminders!
- Paul finishes explaining that he went to the church leaders to explain to them what he had been preaching to the Gentiles, the freedom in and through Christ. In verse 6, Paul says that the church leaders didn’t have anything else to add (telling me he hit the nail on the head!) He also said this, which is encouraging to me, “By the way, their reputation as great leaders made no difference to me, God has no favorites.” This is powerful to me, because no matter how small I am or how small I feel, God has called me to do something great for Him and I am free to fulfill that call, even when man in his hierarchy and in his opinion tries to hold me back, I can be free to do what I feel Christ has called me to do. “God does not favor the great!”
- Verse 9 Paul refers to James, Peter, and John as the “Pillars of the church.”
In Verse 10, James, Peter, and John encourage Paul to remember to help the poor. Hmm…the “Pillars of the church” encouraging one of the greatest preachers to help the poor, I think that is something our churches should pay closer attention to. - Verse 16 Paul tells us that we become right with God through faith in Jesus Christ, not through doing what the law commands. “Faith”
“For no one will ever be saved by obeying the law”
**Works, Legalism, “Being good enough” – All Demolished!!!** - Verse 19 [Paul] “So I Died to the law so that I might Live for God.
Death brings Life – Death to self, Death to law (which binds us), death to empty works, death to a faithless life, death to the world –
Brings true life…the life that Christ gives! - Verse 21 If we could be saved by keeping the law, then there was no reason for Christ to die. Christ death = Our Salvation; Christ death = Death of the law
Nick
