Galatians 1

As we start this new week we also start a new book! This week please read through Paul's letter to the church in Galatia with me. Monday -- Galatians 1, Tuesday -- Galatians 2, Wednesday -- Galatians 3, Thursday -- Galatians 4, and Friday -- Galatians 5.

It has long been my opinion and observation that Paul's letter to the Galatian Christians is his most angry letter. Instead of his standard formula of greeting and words of encouragement, Paul jumps right into the harsh words by verse 6 "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- "

Paul's anger is motivated, in my opinion, by his fear that the saints in Galatia are losing the base of their faith - salvation as a gift from God through Grace, and are exchanging it for the works righteousness being offered to them by a group I will refer to as "Judaisers". This group of people followed closely behind Paul's mission journey and tried to add to the Gospel message that Paul preached a demand that converts also adhere to the Jewish Law. Paul sees the new church floundering as they are tempted to add these requirements to the doctrine that has led to their salvation. Paul bolsters his credibility with the church by reminding them that the Gospel he preached came from God and has been approved by the Jerusalem leadership.

I wonder if Paul were to write a letter to me today if he would be angry. Have we added to the simple Gospel of salvation by grace by saying some folks are in and some are out of God's grace because of their sins? I pray that we will all take this opportunity to re-examine the faith we seek to live. Where does your salvation spring from? Is it Grace or Grace +???