Paul the apostle has heard
that false teachers are promoting another gospel in the churches of
Galatia. He marveled that they were so soon removed from the gospel
he previously taught them, but from where did Paul receive this
gospel he has been speaking of during the beginning of his writing to
the Galatians? We really don't have to guess because Paul provides
his source in today's verse found in chapter one and verse twelve
where he wrote:
For I neither received
it of man, neither was I taught [it], but by the revelation of Jesus
Christ.
First,
Paul addresses where he did not receive his gospel: “For I
neither received it of man, neither was I taught it,”. Ideas
and thoughts generally transfer from one person to another.
Originality does transpire from time to time, but most education has
a foundation of “what this one said” or “what that one
discovered.” Rarely do people do more than parrot others thoughts.
Paul knew this. He knew there were teachers who had contrived ideas
about the gospel who passed them one to another. From one man to
another, one teacher to a student, the gospel of the Judaizers
infiltrated the Galatian countryside, and when it did, the church
members ascribed to their thoughts.
Paul was
unique. Although he previously was taught by man, as he stated in the
book of Acts in chapter twenty-two and verse three:
I
am verily a man [which am] a Jew, born in Tarsus, [a city] in
Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, [and]
taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and
was zealous toward God, as you all are this day.
Paul
didn't receive the gospel of Jesus Christ from the formal teaching of
men. No, rather, Paul says: “but by the revelation of Jesus
Christ.” There is no greater teacher than Jesus. When God is
the source of your information, there is no greater pinnacle of
education. Ideas received from Jesus about His gospel are clear,
unabated, and without flaw. Ideas from men often are. Paul expresses
the superiority of his source when he tells of his message coming by
revelation of Jesus Himself. There is no greater authority concerning
the gospel of Jesus Christ than God, and when Paul perceived this
gospel, all who heard and received from him would know they had the
truth.
So, from
where do we receive our information? Is it only from others? Do
others guide our thinking, our plans, our direction? If so, we would
be wise to be sure of their source. Many people are misled by
well-meaning individuals who desire purpose and position in others
lives, however, they are following ideas and thoughts that are
derived from sources other than the Bible. We would be advantaged
today if we would purpose in our hearts and minds as Paul did not to
rely upon any author of ideas who receives their information from
people or books who do not make God Almighty and His gospel the
background and foundation of their functioning in life. We too, as
Paul, will find no greater authority than Jesus and His Holy Spirit
to guide us in our lives.
Next
time we see the background of Paul with the church, so read ahead,
and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look for
the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to
Generation” in all major
bookstore
sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to
e-books, and find it
locally
at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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