Galatians – The Transformative Power of Christ

We continue our study through Galatians, last week we looked at Paul write about the false teaching perpetuating within the churches of Galatia. He cautioned that there is only one gospel and speaks of the need to be careful to not be so easily influenced and abandon the truth.

Today we look at Galatians 1: 11-24 and continue into 2:1-10.

The Judaisers were discrediting Paul’s teaching by attacking his standing as an apostle. Therefore, Paul takes a good chunk of this letter to share his story. He begins with who he was, and then of his experience on that road to Damascus where his life changed forever, and he then addresses his time in the immediacy after his conversion and in the years following.

From Persecutor to Preacher

Paul speaks of who he was prior to being saved; he was a Jew, who was zealous for the law. In his zeal, he went to the extent of persecuting those who believed in Christ. Paul emphasises that he was never worthy in any measure to receive God’s mercy, and yet God saves and calls him.

Paul’s testimony only serves to point out that salvation is not a result of any merit from man, we are never worthy to receive His grace. No amount of works done by man can be sufficient to earn God’s grace. The law, although good and given by God to the Jews was never meant to be the means by which we are made right with the Father. There is only one way to be justified and that is through Jesus.

Paul, from being a persecutor of Christians, became one who preached the gospel and was willing to be persecuted for Christ. He highlights that the change in him is the result of Christ in his life. The law can urge one to stick within the guidelines of what is required but it does not have the transformative power to change a person from within. That Power can come only through Christ.  

What God did in Paul’s life on the road to Damascus; was miraculous, something only God can do, and God’s name was glorified through it all (Gal 1:24).

As Paul speaks of his miraculous conversion from a zealous Pharisee to one who preaches freedom in Christ, he conveys a very clear message – No one is beyond the saving grace of God and salvation is not about man trying to work up to reach God’s standard. Salvation is all God; He provides a way, and it is Jesus’s work on the cross that makes it possible for us. And rightly so, all glory belongs to Him. 

Paul’s time with the other Apostles

Paul shares that after his conversion, he went into Arabia and only later returned to Damascus where he spends a brief 15 days with the apostles (Gal 1: 18).  We learn that it was not for another 14 years till he spent a more extended period with them (Gal 2:1).  Paul emphasises this to refute the false notion of him being with the apostles and learning from them (man) rather than having had a personal experience and revelation from Christ (which was vital for qualifying as an apostle). Further on, he clarifies that while he visited the other apostles, he shared his revelation with them and they were in agreement with what was revealed to him, and they accepted him (Gal 2:2) and extended their support to him (Gal 2:9).  This affirmation from the apostles was more about quelling doubt and accusation against him and his teaching rather than Paul having to reassure himself of what he believes in.   

Through it all, Paul does not forget to specifically address one of the main issues among the Galatians then – the requirement to be circumcised for the gentiles as claimed by the Judaisers. In Gal 2:3, when Paul was in Jerusalem with Peter, he shares that Titus who was a gentile was not required by the other apostle to be circumcised and neither Titus himself felt convicted by God to do so.  

Through this section of the Epistle, Paul highlights the transformative power of Christ in a sinner like him. The law for which he was very zealous could and did not save him, but only Jesus could.

Prayer: Lord, as Paul reminds us, may we too share and be a witness to the transformative power of your presence in our life. As you love us, may we live out and show others your perfect love by sharing our experience of what it means to be loved and forgiven by you. Amen.

God Bless.