Friday, October 26, 2012

Galatians 2 - The Real Deal

It seems odd that Paul waited fourteen years between trips to Jerusalem if he was concerned that he was "running or had run his race in vain".  But the very good news for Paul, and for the rest of the world, was that  he and his message were accepted by James, Peter and John, who were "reputed to be pillars" within the early church community.  It's a beautiful picture of the one body, many parts idea that Paul writes about in Romans, 1 Corinthians, etc.

But then we get another, uglier picture of the divisions that creep up within the church, as Paul is led to confront Peter in his hypocrisy.  It's interesting that Paul confronts Peter in front of others, rather than pulling him aside and talking things out privately.  I've always wondered what that scene must have been like to push Paul to such forceful, rather than gentler action, at least at first.

Toward the end of the chapter we get the often quoted and memorized verses 19-21, highlighted by verse 20, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Galatians 1 -- Called

Paul's not going to let these Galatians wonder about his authority to write this letter.  In verse 1, "sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead".
In verses 11-12, "the gospel I preached is not something that man made up.  I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ."

There are a few writers, Josh McDowell maybe most notably, who offer three possibilities for the person of Jesus.  If the biblical accounts are accurate (and McDowell provides a great deal of evidence that suggests they are), then Jesus is either a crazy person, a huge liar, or the Son of God.  That same test could be applied to Paul.  In writing that his message is the result of direct revelation from Jesus, Paul positions himself  similarly.  He's either crazy, a huge liar, or in fact, has received this message straight from God.  He's putting himself out there in a big way, and after reading through 2 Corinthians, it's pretty clear he's not a liar.  He's not making this up for personal gain.  His life is brutally difficult.

Which leaves two possibilities.  He's either nuts, or absolutely truthful and the recipient of incredible revelation from God.  We'll consider this question as we continue through Galatians.

Friday, October 12, 2012

2 Corinthians 13 - Wrapping it Up

A few verses that jumped off the page at me that summarize much of the entire letter:

v. 4  Christ "was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power"
v. 5  "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves"
v. 10  "I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority -- the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down"
v. 11  "Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace"

Galatians 1 for next week.  God bless you.

Friday, October 5, 2012

2 Corinthians 12 -- More Boasting/More Weakness

Paul takes the defense of his ministry to entirely new levels in chapter 12.  We read about a man (presumably Paul) who has been taken up to the "third heaven", aka paradise, or what we might commonly refer to as, simply, "heaven".

That sounds like a great deal.  The flip side of that deal doesn't sound nearly so great.  To make sure he stays humble, God allows Paul to be tormented by some "thorn in his flesh", clearly described as a "messenger of Satan".  Yikes.  That sounds terrible.  But, as usual, Paul's attitude is not one of complaint, but of mature perspective.  He doesn't hesitate to ask God to remove the "thorn", but his request is denied and Paul learns yet another lesson about the sufficiency of God's grace and power.  God's grace and power are most useful and help when we are at our weakest.  We see in verse 10:

"I delight in weaknesses, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong".

They say God doesn't allow people to have to deal with more than they can handle.  I think nothing could be further from the truth.  He often allows us to face much more than we can handle, since that's the way that 99% of us learn to trust Him and rely upon His strength, power and grace.