Patience. Paul was willing to wait for the right time to do all that God has for Him. Read Galatians 2:1-3. Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain. But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. Galatians 2:1‭-‬3 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gal.2.1-3.NASB Paul…

People’s response. When we are around people, how do they respond? Read Galatians 1:21-24. Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ; but only, they kept hearing, “He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.” And they were glorifying God because of me. Galatians 1:21‭-‬24 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gal.1.21-24.NASB People did not recognize Paul. They had not seen him and he had been away studying for several years. However, his reputation was becoming known throughout the land. How did people respond to hearing the story of Paul?…

It takes time. Just because we ask Jesus into our heart doesn’t mean we automatically know everything we should be doing as a believer. Read Galatians 1:18-20. Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days. But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. (Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying.) Galatians 1:18‭-‬20 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gal.1.18-20.NASB Paul took time. Paul didn’t immediately run out and start preaching. He knew he needed to better understand and grow into his faith and so he…

But… such a powerful word and the importance of the gospel message. Read Galatians 1:13-15. For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions. But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood,…

Self-reflection. Do we ask ourselves questions and challenge ourselves? Read Galatians 1:10. For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gal.1.10.NASB These questions should be something that we are asking ourselves on a regular basis. What is our motive? Who are we trying to please? When we look at our lives and the actions we take and the priorities we set, how do we answer that? Is pleasing God our top priority? Or do we try to please the world?…

Loyalty and commitment. How committed are we to Jesus Christ? Are we loyal to him and are we following through on our commitment to serve and obey him? Read Galatians 1:6-9. I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say…

A letter. Moving to the New Testament, we’re going to spend some time in Galatians and study the letter that Paul sends to the believers in Galatia. Read Galatians 1:1-5. Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead), and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,…