Galatians 1:1-10

This is the first of many weeks that we are going to be spending in the book of Galatians. Galatians is such a relevant book to the issues that many of us face in our day to day lives; peer pressure, bullying, self-worth, finding our true identity, love, friendship, conflict...etc.

Paul starts off in 1:1-1:2 talking about how he wasn't sent by any human being, or any human group, such as a church. No, Paul tells the Galatians that he was sent by Jesus Himself. He is a preacher and church planter because he has recognized the calling that God has placed on his life.

He then goes on to tell us in his greeting that Jesus gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age. To clarify, he is saying that it is God's will that we be rescued right here and now and not just in the afterlife. In other words, salvation starts here and now and not just after we die.

It is also important to notice how Paul doesn't mention heaven or hell here, but that God's intent is to rescue us from this evil age. It doesn't mean that heaven and hell aren't significant. Paul tends not to focus on them in his writings. He is always more concerned our response to God in this age.

Starting in verse 6 Paul calls out the Galatians because they are turning away from the Gospel because some people are confusing the Galatians with un-biblical teaching.

Notice in verses 8 and 9 how seriously Paul takes this. He repeats himself in saying that those who preach a false Gospel are under God's curse. To Paul, the Gospel is not something to mess with...it needs to be upheld and taught appropriately. So far, in this letter, he doesn't tell us what the Gospel is. He just calls the Galatians out for deserting it.

Lastly, Paul is getting ready to appeal to the church in Galatia as their brother in Christ and apostle. He tells them that he is not trying to win human approval. Not that he doesn't care what people think of him. After all, he is a human being. However, as a servant of Christ, Paul acknowledges the fact that he is going to cut against the grain. He is not seeking human approval above God's. He knows that his identity isn't found in what people think of him, but in what God thinks of him.

How can we apply this text to our own lives?

1) We need to take very seriously whether or not we are following the words of the true Gospel or a false gospel.
2) We need to understand that God intends to rescue us here and now, and not just in the afterlife. God intends to bless His people in this life so that they can be a blessing to others and the world.
3) Even though we all want acceptance from others, we need to have the attitude that Paul has. Do we want to please people? Of course! However, our ultimate aim is to please God, not people. As servants of Christ we seek to please God first because He is the one who has rescued us from this evil age and given us the freedom that can only come in Christ. Plus, we can't truly be a blessing to others unto we have received God's blessing.