Galatians 4:21-31

Today’s Scripture :: Galatians 4:21-31

(click here to read the “Intro to Galatians”)

21 Tell me, you who want to live under the law, do you know what the law actually says? 22 The Scriptures say that Abraham had two sons, one from his slave wife and one from his freeborn wife.^[a] 23 The son of the slave wife was born in a human attempt to bring about the fulfillment of God’s promise. But the son of the freeborn wife was born as God’s own fulfillment of his promise. 24 These two women serve as an illustration of God’s two covenants. The first woman, Hagar, represents Mount Sinai where people received the law that enslaved them. 25 And now Jerusalem is just like Mount Sinai in Arabia,^[b] because she and her children live in slavery to the law. 26 But the other woman, Sarah, represents the heavenly Jerusalem. She is the free woman, and she is our mother. 27 As Isaiah said,

   “Rejoice, O childless woman,
      you who have never given birth!
   Break into a joyful shout,
      you who have never been in labor!
   For the desolate woman now has more children
      than the woman who lives with her husband!”^[c]

 28 And you, dear brothers and sisters, are children of the promise, just like Isaac. 29 But you are now being persecuted by those who want you to keep the law, just as Ishmael, the child born by human effort, persecuted Isaac, the child born by the power of the Spirit.  30 But what do the Scriptures say about that? “Get rid of the slave and her son, for the son of the slave woman will not share the inheritance with the free woman’s son.”[d] 31 So, dear brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman; we are children of the free woman.

Background/Insight:

• Paul is using an Old Testament story about Abraham to draw yet another illustration of how it is not what we do that saves us but God.  Read about Abraham, Sarah, Hagar and Ishmael in Genesis 16-21.
• Abraham’s child with Hagar (the slave) was a human attempt to do what God had promised and only he could do.  
• This illustration would have hit home with the audience reading this.  As they were Judaizers and Old Testament scholars.  Abraham is regarded as the father of the Jewish nation.  

For your thought/discussion:

• Take some time to reflect on the text. In what arena’s of your life are trying not trusting in God?
• Where have you seen God’s faithfulness in the past?
• Spend some time in prayer and ask God to reveal the truth of who he really is to you.  

Feel free to share any additional insights and prayers with everyone by commenting.

 

Galatians 4:8-20

Today’s Scripture :: Galatians 4:8-20

(click here to read the “Intro to Galatians”)

8Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 9But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? 10You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! 11I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you. 12I plead with you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong. 13As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. 14Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. 15What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?

17Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them. 18It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you. 19My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, 20how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!

Background/Insight:

• Again we see that religious ritual without Christ, no matter how devoutly followed, means nothing.  
• The word used to describe knowing God is the word gnontes and literally translated means “to know intimately and on a personal level.” 
• When Paul spoke words they liked to hear, he was their hero.  Yet, when he spoke a needed truth they treated him as an enemy.   

For your thought/discussion:

• Take some time to reflect on the text. Think about whether you are, “just going through the motions” or truly deepening in your connection with Christ.   
• How do you typically react to someone who tells you a hard but needed truth?
• Spend some time in prayer and ask God to reveal the truth of who he really is to you.  

Feel free to share any additional insights and prayers with everyone by commenting.

Galatians 4:1-7

Today’s Scripture :: Galatians 4:1-7

(click here to read the “Intro to Galatians”)

 1 Think of it this way. If a father dies and leaves an inheritance for his young children, those children are not much better off than slaves until they grow up, even though they actually own everything their father had. 2They have to obey their guardians until they reach whatever age their father set. 3 And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles^[a] of this world.

 4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.^[b] 6 And because we^[c] are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.”^[d] 7 Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child.^[e] And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.

Background/Insight:

• The word used for child is nepios (infant, young child) and is used in contrast with huios (son).
• The word for “guardian” here is different than the last section.  It is the word epitropous, emphasizing that they watched over him.   
• Note in verse 4 where Paul again uses the “But… God” structure to indicate how God has moved.  
• “The right time” indicates that God purposely sent Jesus at a specific time and place.  In other words He had and has a plan.  
• The word “Abba” is the Aramaic word for “Father”.  It is the word small children would use in addressing their father much like our modern equivalent “Daddy”.  The use of this name indicates intimacy and trust as opposed to formalism or legalism.  A remarkable term to be used for our relationship to the God whom we fear.  That tells us what a significant and relationship changing event Jesus’ death and resurrection is.
• Where verse six uses plural versions of the word “you”.  Verse seven is singular, making this application direct and personal to the reader.    

For your thought/discussion:

• Take some time to reflect on the text. Look especially at verse five and think about the statement, “that freedom is never free.”  
• Why do you think Paul takes the time to emphasize that Jesus was “born of a woman” (verse 4)?
• Reflect on the term of endearment, Abba, daddy, father, that we are given to address God because we are now considered heirs.
• Spend some time praying to your heavenly Abba and seek His movement in your life and heart.  

Feel free to share any additional insights and prayers with everyone by commenting.

 

Galatians 3:23-29

Today’s Scripture :: Galatians 3:23-29

(click here to read the “Intro to Galatians”)

23 Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed. 24 Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. 25 And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian.

26 For you are all children^[a] of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.^[b] 28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile,^[c] slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children^[d] of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.

Background/Insight:

• The word for guardian is paidagogos and is a hard one to catch in English as there is no exact parallel in our society. They were slaves whose job was to guard children from the evils of society and to give them moral training.
• A good way to look at this is that the law did not lead us to Christ but was the disciplinarian until Christ came. Galatians makes the strong point that the law could not make us right in God’s sight and that we are desperately in need of Jesus’ sacrifice in our place.
• The plural “you” used to talk of sons of God indicates the Paul is not only talking to Israelites but to all people, Gentiles and Israelites.
• His words about “oneness” in Christ remain as controversial today as they were at the time. He breaks beyond all social barriers to say that Christ salvation is for all people. All are heirs of the promise of Abraham.

For your thought/discussion:

• Take some time to reflect on the text. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal where cultural distinctions and biases have intruded on your relationship with Christ.
• Contemplate what it means that you are an heir to eternity in heaven if you have faith in Christ’s sacrifice.

Feel free to share any additional insights and prayers with everyone by commenting.

Galatians 3:15-22

Today’s Scripture :: Galatians 3:15-22

(click here to read the “Intro to Galatians”)

 15 Dear brothers and sisters,^[a] here’s an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or amend an irrevocable agreement, so it is in this case. 16 God gave the promises to Abraham and his child.^[b] And notice that the Scripture doesn’t say “to his children,^[c]” as if it meant many descendants. Rather, it says “to his child”—and that, of course, means Christ. 17 This is what I am trying to say: The agreement God made with Abraham could not be canceled 430 years later when God gave the law to Moses. God would be breaking his promise. 18 For if the inheritance could be received by keeping the law, then it would not be the result of accepting God’s promise. But God graciously gave it to Abraham as a promise. 19 Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child who was promised. God gave his law through angels to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people. 20 Now a mediator is helpful if more than one party must reach an agreement. But God, who is one, did not use a mediator when he gave his promise to Abraham.

 21 Is there a conflict, then, between God’s law and God’s promises?^[d] Absolutely not! If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it. 22 But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.

Background/Insight:

• The take home verse in this section is verse 22, “But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom by believing in Jesus Christ.”
• When we simply try and obey it is a trap that we will never be able to fulfill or accomplish.  When we trust in Jesus sacrifice and grace we are set free to serve him.  In other words it becomes a joy and not a burden. 
• Paul connects God’s promises to Abraham and Moses to their fulfillment in Christ.  
• A believer’s inheritance of life, eternal life, is an unconditional gift for those who believe.  

For your thought/discussion:

• Take some time to reflect on the text. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal where things other than Christ have taken prominence in your thoughts and life.  
• What sin do, or have you felt a prisoner to?  What ways have you tried to break out?
• Ask God to intervene in those areas of struggle and give you the “freedom” of the gospel.  

Feel free to share any additional insights and prayers with everyone by commenting.  

Galatians 3:1-14

Today’s Scripture :: Galatians 3:1-14

(click here to read the “Intro to Galatians”)

 1 Oh, foolish Galatians! Who has cast an evil spell on you? For the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death was made as clear to you as if you had seen a picture of his death on the cross. 2 Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. 3 How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? 4 Have you experienced^[a]so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it? 5 I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ.

 6 In the same way, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”^[b] 7 The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God.

 8 What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would declare the Gentiles to be righteous because of their faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, “All nations will be blessed through you.”^[c] 9 So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith.

 10 But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law.”^[d] 11 So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”^[e] 12 This way of faith is very different from the way of law, which says, “It is through obeying the law that a person has life.”^[f]

 13 But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”^[g] 14 Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised^[h] Holy Spirit through faith.

Background/Insight:

• I had a friend sum up the Law(obey) & Gospel(grace) teaching in this passage by simply saying, “The Law brings death, the Gospel brings life.”
• It should be noted that Abraham’s faith was counted as righteousness.  That is significant because he chronically doubted God and even went so far as to lie about his marriage to his wife to save his own skin.  (Genesis 20:1-18)
• The word used in verse one to say how clear Christ’s sacrifice was made to them is the word proegraphe and literally means, “to write for public hearing” as would be used for the posting of a public announcement.
• Paul continues to hammer the point that doing the religious things will not save you and for these Galatians has gotten in the way of clearly seeing Jesus and the weight of his sacrifice.  
• The Judaizers taught that they had some special track because of their direct lineage as children of Abraham.  Paul makes the point here that the Gentile Christians are also “children of Abraham” because of God’s promise that he would be a blessing to all nations.  This would not have been heard well by the self focused Judaizers.  
• Paul quotes Deuteronomy 27:26 to show that the Law demanded perfection and that a curse was attached to failure to keep any part of it.  He then emphasized that there is hope for those who put their trust in Christ, who redeemed us from the curse of the Law by “becoming a curse for us.”(Isaiah 53)

For your thought/discussion:

• Take some time to reflect on the text. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you where you are foolishly missing the weight and grace of Jesus death on the cross.  
• This passage talks of those who have faith but are misled into believing that their faith is not enough.  That they must earn God’s favor.  According to Paul this is impossible.  Why is that such an easy trap to fall into?
• Think about the curse that is on us because of our failure to do as God would require.  Now, think of the awesome grace of a Savior who became a curse for us!  How does that affect you?

Feel free to share any additional insights and prayers with everyone by commenting.  

 

 

Galatians 2:11-21

Today’s Scripture :: Galatians 2:11-21

(click here to read the “Intro to Galatians”)

 11 But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. 12When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile Christians, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. 13 As a result, other Jewish Christians followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 When I saw that they were not following the truth of the gospel message, I said to Peter in front of all the others, “Since you, a Jew by birth, have discarded the Jewish laws and are living like a Gentile, why are you now trying to make these Gentiles follow the Jewish traditions?

 15 “You and I are Jews by birth, not ‘sinners’ like the Gentiles. 16 Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.”^[a]

 17 But suppose we seek to be made right with God through faith in Christ and then we are found guilty because we have abandoned the law. Would that mean Christ has led us into sin? Absolutely not! 18 Rather, I am a sinner if I rebuild the old system of law I already tore down. 19 For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law—I stopped trying to meet all its requirements—so that I might live for God. 20 My old self has been crucified with Christ.^[b] It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.

Background/Insight:

• Paul confronting Peter is a very big deal as Peter was the chief apostle.  
• Peter had received a vision from God telling him it was O.K. to associate with the Gentiles and that the gospel was for them.  (Acts 10:9-15, 28)
• It appears Peter was just fine associating with Gentile Christians until some people came who would be critical of that.  Peter then, to avoid criticism stopped associating with them.   
• Others like Barnabas followed Peter’s lead. 
• The Judaizers who would be critical of Peter were Jewish converts to Christianity who taught that you must follow all of their traditional Jewish laws as part of your salvation.  They believed that faith in Jesus without the law would lead to sinful living.  
• Verse 16 is the first place the word , “justification” is used.  Paul uses it to emphasize that we are not saved from following the law (or doing good things) but by our faith in Jesus and his grace.  In other words you can get so caught up following the law that you miss Christ and it will earn you nothing i God’s sight. 

For your thought/discussion:

• Take some time to reflect on the text. Ask God to open your eyes to areas of your faith life that you may be worried more about the criticism of others than serving God.  
• Some people warn that we can become so caught up in Religion (doing things for God) that we miss the Savior.  What do you think about that?
• Who are the truth-tellers in your life?  How are you doing at listening to them? 

Feel free to share any additional insights and prayers with everyone by commenting.  

Galatians 2:1-10

Today’s Scripture :: Galatians 2:1-10

(click here to read the “Intro to Galatians”)

 1 Then fourteen years later I went back to Jerusalem again, this time with Barnabas; and Titus came along, too. 2 I went there because God revealed to me that I should go. While I was there I met privately with those considered to be leaders of the church and shared with them the message I had been preaching to the Gentiles. I wanted to make sure that we were in agreement, for fear that all my efforts had been wasted and I was running the race for nothing. 3 And they supported me and did not even demand that my companion Titus be circumcised, though he was a Gentile.^[a] 4 Even that question came up only because of some so-called Christians there—false ones, really^[b]—who were secretly brought in. They sneaked in to spy on us and take away the freedom we have in Christ Jesus. They wanted to enslave us and force us to follow their Jewish regulations. 5 But we refused to give in to them for a single moment. We wanted to preserve the truth of the gospel message for you.

 6 And the leaders of the church had nothing to add to what I was preaching. (By the way, their reputation as great leaders made no difference to me, for God has no favorites.) 7 Instead, they saw that God had given me the responsibility of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as he had given Peter the responsibility of preaching to the Jews. 8 For the same God who worked through Peter as the apostle to the Jews also worked through me as the apostle to the Gentiles.

 9 In fact, James, Peter,^[c] and John, who were known as pillars of the church, recognized the gift God had given me, and they accepted Barnabas and me as their co-workers. They encouraged us to keep preaching to the Gentiles, while they continued their work with the Jews. 10 Their only suggestion was that we keep on helping the poor, which I have always been eager to do.

Background/Insight:

• Chapter 2 continues Paul’s defense of his apostolic authority, but the focus is turned now from the source of his message to it’s content.  
• There is scholarly debate over which trip Paul is referring to in verses 1 &2.  Most believe it is either the famine visit (Acts 11:27-30) or the Jerusalem Council visit (Acts 15:1-30).  
• Paul went by God’s prompting revelation and not by man’s invitation.
• Paul preached a message to the Gentiles.  Gentiles were all those who were not-jewish.  This was controversial as many believed (falsely) the gospel was only for the Jews. 
• Those who taught that the gospel is only for the Jews would tell people they needed to become a Jew to become a follower of Jesus. In Acts 15:1 this false teaching is made clear.  That is why Gentiles were often circumcised.  A sign and custom of Judaism.  Paul obviously does not believe this is necessary.  
• Bringing Titus, a non-circumcised Gentile believer along may very well have been a test to see how the others would respond.  
• Note their were spy’s in the church.  They infiltrated (pareiselthon: lit., “sneaked alongside.”) and intruded without invitation into the apostle’s private conference.  But Paul stood firm for the sake of the Gospel.  
• Others affirmed Paul’s calling to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles.
• Notice how Paul and the early church were concerned with caring for the poor.  

For your thought/discussion:

• Reread the text and take some time to reflect on it.  Paul was called by God to the Gentiles, think and pray about who God is calling you to.  
• Paul talks about those who have snuck into the church there and are trying to impose extra-biblical expectations on believers.  What are some of the extra-biblical requirements and systems that we can fall into?  
• Paul stands up and fights for the purity of the Gospel.  Doing things will not help earn your salvation.  Where are some areas that you could be standing up and fighting for the gospel?  
• Why do you think they were so insistent that he care for the poor?  Where in your life could you be more aware of and caring for the poor in body and spirit?

Feel free to share any additional insights and prayers with everyone by commenting.  

Galatians 1:11-24

Today’s Scripture :: Galatians 1:11-24

(click here to read the “Intro to Galatians”)

 11 Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the gospel message I preach is not based on mere human reasoning. 12 I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ.^[a] 13 You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it. 14 I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors.

 15 But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him 16to reveal his Son to me^[b] so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles.

   When this happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being.^[c] 17 Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went away into Arabia, and later I returned to the city of Damascus.

 18 Then three years later I went to Jerusalem to get to know Peter,^[d] and I stayed with him for fifteen days.19 The only other apostle I met at that time was James, the Lord’s brother. 20 I declare before God that what I am writing to you is not a lie.

21 After that visit I went north into the provinces of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And still the Christians in the churches in Judea didn’t know me personally. 23 All they knew was that people were saying, “The one who used to persecute us is now preaching the very faith he tried to destroy!” 24 And they praised God because of me.

Background/Insight:

• Note that the Gospel did not originate with man.  Therefore man made rules, regulations and rituals are not a means to please God or receive his mercy.  God’s grace and amazing mercy despite our imperfections is the heart of the Gospel.  
• Paul tells them that he received this message directly from Jesus.  
• Paul tells them how devoutly he had once advanced as a Pharisee in Judaism.  He loved the traditions and the Law (Old Testament teaching and moral code)  In other words, he knows the laws and rules the false teachers are imposing on believers better than anyone.  This gives him credibility to give a different perspective.  
• “But… God” marks a monumental change that God began in Paul’s life.  A plan God had for him before he was even born.  (verse 15)
• Paul’s trip to Arabia was most likely not to study under some great human teacher but rather to be away from people and to spend time in personal study and revelation from God.  It is very possible that the Old Testament, which he was familiar with from upbringing, was being seen in a whole new light during this time.  An awakening for Paul of what was always there but not yet seen by him.   
• Verses 22-24 allude to how widely it was known that Paul had persecuted followers of Jesus.  In fact, in Acts we read about how he, then knows as Saul, looked on favorably as they stoned Stephen.  That is why it is such a testimony to God’s grace and mercy that Paul was now “preaching the very faith he tried to destroy.”

For your thought/discussion:

• Spend some time in quiet prayer and reflection.  Seek God as Paul did.  Not through the teachings of another person but humbly stepping aside from all distractions and asking him to speak to you through prayer and the word.  
• It is amazing how God’s plan for Paul was there before he was born.  Even when Paul, known as Saul was destructive the Gospel, God’s plan was still to show him the greatness of his mercy.  What does that say about God’s plans and our perspective?  
• What are some traditions and man-made perceptions that may be distracting you from seeing the fullness of God’s word and mercy?
• Pray for the same confidence and dependance on God that Paul displays in this passage.   

Feel free to share any additional insights and prayers with everyone by commenting.  

Galatians 1:6-10

Today’s Scripture :: Galatians 1:6-10

(click here to read the “Intro to Galatians”)

6 I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News 7 but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. 

8 Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. 9 I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed.

 10 Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.

Background/Insight:

• Absent in the opening of Paul’s letter to the Galatians is his expression of thanksgiving for them.  Instead his opening shifts directly into words of correction.
• The word for “turning away” or “deserting” depending on your translation, metatithesthe, is a military word. A word similar in definition to what we know as military desertion.   
• Their desertion was not simply from a system of theology but from God himself.  
• Often Satan’s strategy is to take good and true things and pervert them.  
• Part of the “false gospel” being preached was a form of legalism.  Telling people there were things they needed to do, many of them shadowing the Pharisaical man-made laws.  The “true gospel” is not about what we can do but realizing what we can’t and trusting in what God, through Jesus, has done. 
• In verse 10 Paul lays out his bigger and eternal perspective.  He is not working to please men, but God.

For your thought/discussion:

• Spend some time in quiet prayer and reflection.  Ask God to reveal where portions of “false gospel” may be creeping into your life?    
• How do you discern between a “false gospel” and the “true gospel”? 
• Reflect on the areas in your life where you are more concerned about winning the approval of people instead of God.  
• Pray that He would open your eyes to ways that you can unashamedly share the “true gospel”.  

Feel free to share any additional insights and prayers with everyone by commenting.