Friday, July 15, 2011
Galatians 1:1-10 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), and all the brethren who are with me, Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
FREEDOM (5)
We are at war. Men fight to suppress our message; the Lord has given to us the task of fighting to spread it. Not only has he given us the task, but the message and the power also. We are set free from sin. We have been taken out from under the power of sin. We have a new Master, a great gracious loving Master with whom we have freedom.
Our task now: spread that message and let none obscure it. You are set free from sin. It has no power over you. Even if your own heart denies this message, do not listen to it, refuse to hear. ("For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart.") Therefore whether it be your pastor, an angel from heaven, or your own heart which obscures the message of the free grace of Christ to everyone, do not listen. Let freedom ring -- the freedom that is ours through the death and suffering of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
