Monday 20 August 2012
- Bible Book:
- Galatians
"Paul an apostle—sent neither by human commission nor from human authorities, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead." (v. 1)
Background
Paul starts his letter to the Galatians with an amazingstatement "sent not by human commission nor from human authorities,but through Jesus Christ and God the Father". There is greatsimilarity in the attitude of Paul to his ministry, and that of thepsalmist. "I am yours; save me" (
It's striking how both the text from Psalm 119 and the start ofGalatians 1 speak of giving up and surrendering to a power fargreater than any human source. It seems appropriate that both ofthese writers have had such a huge impact on the Christian faith;one through writing psalms that have inspired, challenged andtransformed so many people, and one through the incredible ministrythat followed his conversion in
Galatians 1 talks a bit about Paul's story - of beingtransformed to be able to recognise the love and grace that God hadfor him (verses 11-16). Once the God's transformation in him hadtaken place, Paul goes on to describe some of his ministry;travelling to Arabia and then to Jerusalem, amongst other places(verse 17).
Clearly, Pauls conversion turned his life upside down; the kindof transformation that can happen to all of us. That's what Goddoes; God transforms us! Each and every day, in tiny little ways,in huge ways, in ways we're completely ignorant of, in ways thatwe're completely overwhelmed by.
To ponder
- For a minute, consider your own story, and thetransformation God has worked in you.
- How has God transformed you?
- What would life have been like if God hadn't intervened? Givethanks to God for the light you have been brought into.