Listening to God - Galatians - 1:6-10

 Read Galatians 1:6-10

Background to Galatians

Galatians is a letter written by St Paul to early Christian communities, that consist of  Jewish and Gentile converts.   Some of the Jewish converts were insisting that all people including Gentiles must follow Mosaic Laws, including dietary, festival and circumcision laws.   

As you read consider - 

  • What stood out for you in this reading?
  • What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do?
  • How does the actions of God affect you and live with others?
  • What questions does the reading bring up for you?

Pastor Richard's reflection

Christian history is rich with much tradition and practices, many of them good, and because of this some may make the traditions and practices essential for someone to be a Christian, to be loved by God and to be saved...this is another Gospel....

We are called to keep focussing on and remembering the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the only thing that will give us true life.  

And when someone does preach another Gospel it is God not us who will deal with them.  We are to place them in the hands of God for his cursing and punishment, and continue to focus on God's graceful Gospel 

In this reading we are encouraged to see that:

  • the only Gospel of God is the Gospel that Jesus lives out, his life, suffering, death and resurrection for us, nothing else makes it possible for us to receive God's love
  • we are to live being focussed on the Gospel of Jesus 
  • it is important for us to be aware are we making other things and matters essential for someone to be a Christian
  • our focus in life is to serve Christ, by sharing his loving and gracious Gospel
  • God will deal with those who are not distracting people away from the Gospel
Some stuff to contemplate:

How does Galatians 1:6-10 affect how you see God, yourself, and how you see and will interact with others?

What does Galatians 1:6-10 call you to talk to God (pray) about?  (Thanksgiving, more insight, help, forgiveness...)

What do you think is worthwhile sharing with someone from what God has told you in Galatians 1:6-10?

You can also read Luther's commentary on Galatians here

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