Paul here summarizes the gospel message. Meditate on the
gospel and the nature of grace. I’ve always found it easy to intellectually
assent to the gospel message but very difficult to live it out and internalize
it emotional and spiritually. When I sin I feel unlovable, and I am often
unwilling to face God with what I’ve done. I run and hide out of shame like
Adam and Eve in the Garden. Then I try to cover up what my sin has done,
pretend everything is ok by wearing leaves to cover my nakedness. That only
puts another roadblock between me and God; another wall for him to tear down
before I will let him wrap his arms around me in his unconditional love. Do you
really trust and believe that God has forgiven you, and adores you, and would
do anything for you? Many of us have felt unloved for so long by our families,
our society or friends, that something deep within is unwilling to accept that
anyone could unconditionally love us, let alone the creator the universe. Pray
that you would truly believe it, in the deepest depths of your being. Pray that
God would transform your ability to trust him and what he has done for you.

Journaling

“I am astonished that
you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and
are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all.” In Galatia, many
Jews had been teaching against Gentile (non-Jew) inclusion into the Church,
claiming one must be circumcised or go through other necessary Jewish rituals
to be part of the body of Christ. But our hope garnered through Jesus’
sacrifice is by grace, not by works or rituals or faith omens or other things
that we use to buy a stairway to heaven.

What things in our modern church do we view as necessary for
salvation, when they are really just human standards and rituals? Some would
put swearing into this category, others might put full-immersion baptism. What
do you think is in this category along with circumcision? What are some things
that are often placed in this category, that you think should not be there?

What is the relationship between works and grace? On the one
hand, we are called to a life distinct from the self seeking immoral ways of
the world. Thus, morals and good deeds are very relevant. On the other hand, we
are saved by grace. How do you think this all works out? It’s a tough question
to chew on, so don’t freak out if you don’t understand it fully yet. Pray that
God would reveal to you the meaning behind all this, and that he would show you
how you can live in the light of grace, while still striving to be moral. Pray
about that now.

Journaling

What ways has the church done things merely to get the approval
of men? What doctrines have we given up or clarified to the point that they no
longer have any meaning? Don’t just settle for looking outward at these
problems; lets look within too. What ways have you been seeking the approval of
men instead of God? What does this look like in your life?

One can easily get lost questioning their own motives
constantly as they try to figure out why they did ‘this’ or said ‘that’. “Did I do this to get the approval of men,
or to bring glory to God?” It is healthy to question yourself, but
ultimately realize that in the end God is the one who will sort your heart out.
Perhaps instead of arguing with the demons within, the major focus of our
introspection should be prayer to God that he would cleanse the motives of our hearts.
Try praying about that now.

Journaling

Is God calling you somewhere, like he called Paul out of his former way of
life? Has God been knocking at your door; beckoning you to follow? Is there
something you seriously need to start considering in your life? It can be as
big as moving to another country, or as small as reconsidering how much you
tithe. What has he been convicting you about?

Paul was extremely zealous for his faith and was
advancing beyond the others of his age. He was probably going to become one of
the top dogs of his time. Yet, without the grace of God, what was he? If he had
just remained in his former life and been one of the most respected and greatest of leaders, what would his life
have been? Would it have meant anything? What is it about grace that transcends
and cuts through everything? Why does grace make all else around it shrivel and
fade in comparison?

Why does Paul keeping talking about how he didn’t talk to ‘any man’ or
consult anyone?

Journaling

If God’s grace can turn around the life of someone who
persecuted and murdered Christians, how much can his grace do for your life?
For the world? I’m not usually a dreamer, but this gets me going. I imagine my
friends and family back home coming to Christ and accepting his love and mercy.
I imagine how changed they would be. I think about those non-Christians who are
already gentle and kind and I just want to say to them “If your like this now,
how much more incredible would you be if you knew Christ…THAT WOULD BE AWESOME!!”
Feel free to dream a little, then face the shocking and incredible truth that
all this is possible. Pray consistently about what you imagined. Pray that
these people would be changed forever.

Paul persecuted Christians, and then those same Christians
were expected to welcome him into their Church. He may have killed the
relatives, loved ones, husbands, wives and parents of those he was now teaching
and leading. Ask yourself this, and don’t move past it too quickly, chew on it
for a while: Do I have the grace to forgive and embrace Paul, if he shows up to
my church? If he persecuted me and my own, and then later expects to take
communion next to me, how will I respond? We’ve been forgiven so much. Do we
forgive much? Read through John 8:3-11. Each of us is the adulteress in that
story. Do we, after Jesus saved us from being stoned, then throw a stone at our
fallen brothers or sisters?

Journaling