They Had Heard

 061126- Meditational Nuggets from Galatians 1 KJV

23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.

24 And they glorified God in me.

They Had Heard

Galatians 1:1-5 KJV 

1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,

4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

• The Divine Authority, Saving Grace, and Glory of Christ

1. The Divine Authority of the Gospel (vv. 1–2)

Paul declares that his apostleship came not from men but through Jesus Christ and God the Father. True Christian ministry must be grounded in God's calling and faithful to His Word.

2. The Demonstrated Grace and Peace from God (v. 3)

Grace is God's undeserved favor, and peace comes through our Lord Jesus Christ. Our  spiritual blessings are demonstrated by Him in so many ways everyday, and our reconciliation with God are found in Him.

3. Deliverance and Christ's Sacrificial Love  (v. 4)

Jesus Christ gave Himself for our sins to deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God. His sacrifice not only saves us from sin's penalty but also calls us to live differently from the ungodly ways of this world.

4. Do All for GOD’s Glory for all things Belongs to God(v. 5)

Our salvation is God's gracious work through Jesus Christ; therefore, all glory, honor, and praise belong to Him forever.

The opening of Galatians reminds us that the Gospel is divinely ordained, salvation is made possible through Christ's sacrificial death, and grace and peace are found in Him alone. Having been delivered from sin, we are called to live according to God's will and give Him all the glory forever.

Christ gave Himself to deliver us from sin, not that we might continue in the world's ways, but that we might live for the glory of God.

Galatians 1:4 (KJV): “Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.”

Galatians 1:6-14 KJV 

 6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

• The Distinctive Integrity of the Gospel of Christ and the Calling of a Faithful Servant

1. The Gullibility of The LORD’s Believers into Turning Away from the Gospel  of Christ (vv. 6-7)

Paul marvelled at how quickly the Galatians were turning away from the grace of Christ to another gospel. There is another gospel; not that it is about false teachings that distort the truth of God's Word. But to whom this gospel is given and what it is all about. And believers from this epistle are instructed to identify about what gospel, to whom it pertains, and what it is all about. And herein, converted believers of The LORD must remain steadfast in the Gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ alone.

2. The Gospel Of Salvation Must Never Be Altered (vv. 8-9)

Paul firmly declared that even if an angel from heaven preached any other gospel, that messenger should be accursed. This emphasizes that God's truth is supreme and must never be compromised by human opinions or interpretations, religious traditions, or false doctrines.

3. The Godly, True Servant of Christ Seeks to Please God (v. 10)

Paul made it clear that his ministry is personally  and specifically anointed by  JESUS CHRIST in His Godly Nature and GOD the Father; for he was called after GOD raised JESUS; after He ascended in heaven. His apostleship was not intended to gain human approval but to please God. A faithful servant must prioritize God's truth and His instruction over popularity, recognition, or acceptance from men.

4. The Gospel which was Given to Paul Comes by Divine Revelation (vv. 11-12)

Paul testified that the Gospel he preached was not according to human wisdom or teaching but was received through the revelation of Jesus Christ. The authority of the Gospel rests not on human origin but on Christ Himself.

5. The Grace of GOD from the Gospel Preach by Paul enabled the True Recipient’s Life be Transformed. (vv. 13-14)

Paul recalled his former life in Judaism, when he persecuted and devastated the church of God because of his excessive zeal for his fathers' traditions. His testimony reminds us that religious zeal without the truth of Christ can lead a person in the wrong direction.

Meditational Nuggets 

The true Gospel of Christ is sacred and must never be altered to accommodate human desires or traditions. 

Our faith must be firmly established in the truth of God's Word, not in the approval of men. 

Paul's life demonstrates that no one is beyond God's transforming grace. Even one like him, a persecutor of the church became a faithful preacher of the Gospel through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Reflection: 

Are we standing firmly in the truth of the Gospel, or are we allowing human opinions and traditions to influence our faith? 

Let us seek not merely the approval of men, nor be contented with what we were already taught,  but carefully search out and personally ask in prayers for GOD’s guidance for us to give the accepted praises unto God; remaining faithful to the truth entrusted to us.

For a rue servant of Christ protects the integrity of the Gospel, stands firmly in God's truth, and allows His grace to transform and direct his life.

May we seek always  CHRIST’s will and never exchange the truth of God's Word for the approval of this world.

Galatians 1:15-24 KJV 

 15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,

16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.

20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.

21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;

22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:

23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.

24 And they glorified God in me.

• The Direction of God's Grace is to Transform Lives for His Glory

Paul's testimony reveals that God's calling is rooted in His grace, His purpose is to reveal Christ through His servants, and His power can transform even the greatest persecutor into a faithful preacher of the Gospel.

Meditational Nuggets are further listed as these: 

⁃ God's calling is by grace (vv. 15-16). 

Paul was separated and called by God before his conversion. His ministry was not earned by human merit but was established by God's sovereign grace to reveal His Son in him.

⁃ God's commissioning purpose requires obedience (vv.16-21). 

Paul immediately responded to God's calling without seeking human approval. His journey into Arabia and subsequent ministry demonstrate his dependence upon God's revelation and direction.

⁃ God’s, in Christ transforming grace becomes a testimony (vv. 22-24). 

The churches heard that the former persecutor was now preaching the faith he once destroyed. His changed life caused others to glorify God.

Practical Application

We must recognize that our calling and salvation are gifts of God's grace. Like Paul, we are called to reveal Christ through our lives, obey His direction, and proclaim His truth. 

Our transformed lives should lead others not to glorify us, but to glorify God.

Words for our Thoughts to ponder:  

God's grace does not merely change our direction; it transforms our lives into testimonies of His power and glory. When Christ is revealed in us, even our past becomes a witness to the greatness of God's saving grace.

We should not be imprisoned by our past lives, but it must be a testimony of how GOD’s grace works in us: changed our lives for the better, and transforms us to continually giving glory to CHRIST, not to brag as our righteousness, nor entitlement, which only mar the light of Christ by the Holy Spirit , but to motivate others to draw closer to GOD: in the Name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD. 

Be among the unwavering bearer of GOD’s Amazing Grace.

Have a pleasant day ahead! 🙏❤️