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Let's turn to the letter to the Galatians. My desire and plan is to write on the 'Fruit of the Spirit' but an introduction to the letter might be advantageous for some.

What an amazing letter this is, as it deals with some of the real problems which are presently facing the Church of Jesus Christ. Paul is writing to believers - to disciples of Jesus. He is writing to men and women who have tasted something of the Mercy and Love and Forgiveness of Jesus Christ, and of the Power of the Holy Spirit. But, they were deserting God, and they were falling back into what we call legalism. They had been bewitched. We read of that at the beginning of Chapter 3. They were turning away from the Cross of Jesus Christ, and having begun in the Spirit, having begun in the power of the Holy Spirit, they were now relying upon works of the flesh, and what they could do. This is a problem we face in Scotland. How often do we hear something like - "O, if anybody deserved to get to heaven he did, or she did. He never did anyone any harm. He never had an enemy in the whole world. (You could not even say that about Jesus!) I have always just tried to do my best." You only have to read some of these 'In Memoriam' in the newspapers. That is what some people believe. That is what some people are relying upon. Where did people get that type of thinking? Was it from the Church? Possibly! Was it from former types of teaching in Sunday Schools? More than likely! We must do all we can to make it clear to people - that is NOT the Gospel - and that is what Paul is dealing with here. In this letter it is authority and authenticity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ which is at stake. This letter is written to churches in Galatia - part of modern Turkey - and it is being written in a time of upheaval and confusion, when certain false teachers had been misleading these believers, and even raising real questions about the validity of the ministry of Paul! That is partly when he begins - from Paul - an apostle - a man of God who has been sent by God - not from men - but by Jesus Christ and God the Father. Were his credentials under question? It would appear so. It would appear that some were saying that Paul had no special divine appointment and calling - so you do not need to pay too much attention to his message. It is so subtle. And this is what we are facing today. The Church of Jesus Christ has never had to face a period when the authority of the Bible has been so undermined. There have always been immoral people in the Church - at all levels - but not even these immoral leaders dared deny the authority of the Word of God. Paul underlines that the God Who sent him is the God Who raised Jesus Christ from the dead. There is something we need to proclaim strongly, when those in positions of leadership within the visible church are questioning whether or not Jesus Christ was raised from the dead. Now, the type of person who doubts and questions that is a man who has never met the Risen and Living Jesus. If you have met Jesus Christ Risen and Alive - if you have been born again of the Spirit - anointed with the Holy Spirit - these can never be questions - or can they? I have met men and women over these past years who have wandered far away from their initial testimony of meeting Jesus Christ! Paul explains something of his appointment in these opening words - almost by way of testimony. His basic calling and authority was that he had been called by the Risen Jesus and that he had the support of all the brothers. It is always interesting to see who is supporting you - who is alongside you - praying with you - ministering with you - encouraging you - standing by you. These fellow disciples were with Paul in what he was preaching and writing - and he is writing to Christian Fellowships - which were in great danger of being misled. They were on the point of falling away from Jesus Christ into legalism - into works of the flesh - back into the legalism of Judaism from which Jesus Christ had set men free. He wants these Christian Churches to be filled with Grace and Peace - note the order. We cannot reverse the order. When the Grace and Mercy and Love of Jesus Christ is filling us - when we have received the forgiveness of Jesus - there can be peace - and only then. And, the only source of these riches is God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul writes about Jesus - giving Himself for our sins - and rescuing us from this present evil age. This is all according to the Will of God OUR FATHER. Most are unaware that we are living in an evil age, from which we need rescuing and saving. This is so very different from hearing people say - "O I have always thought that - I've been led to believe that - I was brought up to accept such and such." Can all these various thoughts and beliefs be verified and supported by the Word of God. I remember receiving an answer to a matter that I have never been confronted with for a long time, but prayed about one day in the Culbin Forest. This had been said to me before I sought an answer. I've been waiting for someone to say - "O if I were baptised in water I would be letting down what my parents did for me." If that were said to me now my reply would be - "Did your mother feed you baby food? What type of Heinz baby food are you having for your tea tonight?" We do need to know that this present evil age will pass away, but if we do not escape from it - if we are not rescued and saved out of its grip and clutches and hold - such people will pass away with it - when it goes. In these opening verses Paul is already focusing people's attention on Jesus Christ and the Cross - how to be rescued and saved - and he is giving all the glory to God. Now at the beginning of most of his letters Paul has something to say to commend the people - but he does not do that here. He is astonished! That is so polite. What he is saying is - I am shattered by what I am hearing - I'm flabbergasted - to learn that you are so quickly deserting the One Who called you - and - turning to a different gospel - which is really no gospel at all! The word Paul uses for deserting is a military term for desertion - AWOL - absent without leave. Being tolerant and tactful are not necessarily Christian Virtues! If a house is on fire, shout out! Verse 7 - He saw people who had come to Christ - turn away from Jesus Christ - and that is sad. Paul knew what had happened - some people "are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the Gospel of Christ". Jesus told a parable - as soon as good seed is sown - you can be certain that someone will go around sowing tares - weeds - confusing people - misleading people - leading them away from Jesus. That is always the aim of the enemy. We have to be very careful as to who leads us, and to be just as careful as to how we lead others. One thing Paul makes very clear is this - there is no other gospel other than that of Jesus Christ - crucified - shedding His Blood to wash us from our sins - rising from the dead - and calling men and women to repent and believe and be baptised and receive the Holy Spirit. He goes on to say - if we, or even an angel, should preach any other Gospel, let him be eternally condemned - let him be cursed - anathema. It will provoke God's wrath and anger. That is the strongest thing anyone can say - to pronounce a curse upon someone - and yet today, many people are under the influence of curses - all kinds of curses - but there is a way out from under the curse. That is also part of the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ - there is a way out from whatever situation we might have been in or whatever experience we might have been through. There is a way out through Jesus Christ the Son of God - our Saviour - our Redeemer who buys us back - our rescuer. There is a way out - into freedom - where we are released - and the chains are broken. That is the only Gospel there is, and it is wonderful and glorious. "Father, give me a fresh vision and desire - a clear understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. May the fruit of the Holy Spirit grow and mature so that more of Jesus may be seen in me." Amen.

"'Christ in You...'" from Dale Krebbs

Longing For God

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