… was pleased to reveal his Son in me …
Summary: Our brain is a marvelous tool, but we have to double check its work to make sure we are on the right track.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:15c-16a – Auto-Correct”Galatians 1:15b – Trusting Jesus
… and called me by his grace,
Summary: Sometimes, a thought experiment can help us understand what the Bible is saying. This passage inspires us to consider what it means to be “called” by God.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:15b – Trusting Jesus”Galatians 1:15a – Zizanion
But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb …
Summary: God sees us for what we are, even when we can’t.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:15a – Zizanion”Galatians 1:14 – Zealous for Jesus
I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
Summary: Learning about Jesus can be dangerous if our knowledge becomes our god.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:14 – Zealous for Jesus”Galatians 1:13b – Stupid Games
… how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it.
Summary: In this passage Paul recounts his misguided attempts to serve God by persecuting believers in Jesus Christ.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:13b – Stupid Games”Galatians 1:13a – Knowing Jesus
… For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism,
Summary: Paul’s words in this passage give us pause for thought. If you could take a “before” and “after” picture of yourself before and after meeting Jesus, what would be different?
Continue reading “Galatians 1:13a – Knowing Jesus”Galatians 1:12b – The Box
… rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
Summary: Revelation of God’s truth changes people. Paul is no exception.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:12b – The Box”Galatians 1:12a – When Everything Changes
I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it;
Summary: Where we get our information matters. If we learn from people who teach opinions instead of fact, we live under the burden of their ignorance. When we see the light of Truth, everything changes.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:12a – When Everything Changes”Galatians 1:11b – Far Out, Man
… that the gospel I preached is not of human origin.
Summary: Back in the ’60’s, if someone told you something unusual or surprising, you might respond with, “Far out, man!” “Far out” was a reference to the expression “out of this world,” which meant something was very unusual. The gospel Paul preaches is “not of human origin.” It is both literally and figuratively “Far out, man.”
Continue reading “Galatians 1:11b – Far Out, Man”Galatians 1:11a – The Real Deal
I want you to know, brothers and sisters …
Summary: How we acquire knowledge is an involved process. Paul is expressing his desire that we share in knowledge that the Lord has given him.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:11a – The Real Deal”