January 21, 2014 – Study the Scriptures with Ben Jennings

Devotion for January 21, 2014

Over the next few weeks we’re going to study the book of Galatians together on this blog. If you know someone who may enjoy doing this study with us, invite them to subscribe to my site.

Here are some quick facts about the book of Galatians to get us started:

Author- Apostle Paul
Galatians is an Epistle, or letter written by Paul to several churches in the region of Galatia.
Paul began churches in this region in Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe.

Ready? Let’s get to it. We’ll start with the first 5 verses today:

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

Paul begins by talking about the authority that has been given to him by Christ, and God the Father. Paul didn’t have any authority on His own. The authority he had came from the God who raised Jesus Christ from the dead! He wanted his readers to understand that He wasn’t speaking in his own authority. The following isn’t just his opinion to be considered among the other voices that had been speaking to them.

(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,

Grace and peace deal specifically with the gospel-the good news that we can be right with God. The grace of God is what brings the peace with God that every person needs.

(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:

This grace and peace that we experience from God through the gospel is given to us by Jesus Christ who gave himself on the cross. Think about the fact that God gives us peace through the violent death and the shed blood of Jesus on the cross for our sins!
Often when we talk about the gospel we speak of its’ eternal effects. Certainly,the peace that is given through the gospel allows us to be able to spend eternity with God. But Paul here speaks of the how it impacts our life now to “deliver us from this present evil world.”

How does the gospel impact our daily life?

Access to God- Because of the gospel we can talk to God every day!
The indwelling Spirit- If you are saved the Holy Spirit lives inside of you convicting of sin and helping you and I to make Godly, Biblical decisions.
Peace- Peace with God gives us the opportunity to have the peace of God. This world certainly is evil. There is so much that brings stress, tension, and conflict.

(5) To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Galatians 1:1-5)

The ultimate end of the gospel is that it brings incredible glory to God. Because of the gospel we can bring glory to God by allowing Him to live through us. By Christ dying on the cross He brought glory to His Father.