Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
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”… 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”… 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”… 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”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”
… 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”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”If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Summary: Pleasing God and pleasing people are at odds with each other. They always have been, and they always will be.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:10c – God First”Or am I trying to please people?
Summary: Pleasing people is a common theme. It takes a certain amount of people-pleasing for all of us to get along. Yet being a people pleaser can lead to living life on an endless treadmill to nowhere.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:10b – People Pleaser”Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God?
Summary: The change in Saul on the road to Damascus was noticed by the people he used to hang around with. It was a change that offended and infuriated them, and the fact that Saul didn’t care made them madder still.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:10a – Something Else”