Digging Deeper: Galatians 1:11-24 - Your Story Matters
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Day 1: Your Story Matters
Personal testimony is a beacon of God's work in us.
The Apostle Paul's life story is a profound example of how a personal testimony can illuminate the transformative power of the gospel. Before his encounter with Christ, Paul was a zealous persecutor of the church, a man whose life was dedicated to upholding the law and traditions of his forefathers. However, his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus serves as a powerful example of God’s love and power to save. While Paul’s conversion story is personal, it was never meant to be private. It is through sharing our own stories of faith—how we encountered Jesus, were saved by Jesus, how Jesus continues to work in our lives today—that we can connect with others on a deeply personal level. Our testimonies are not just stories; they are evidence of the living God actively working within us, shaping us, and using our past to display His glory.
Acts 26:12-18 (ESV) - “In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, 17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you 18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
Reflection:
Reflect on your life before and after encountering Christ. How can you communicate this change to someone who may be seeking hope today?
What does Paul's transformation from a persecutor of the church to a preacher of the gospel suggest about the power of God's grace to change a person's life?
Day 2: The Power of the Gospel
The good news of the Gospel is is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.
The gospel that Paul preached was not a human invention; it was a revelation from Jesus Christ Himself. Some of the false teachers in Galatia were claiming that Paul heard the message of the Apostles in Jerusalem and started teaching his own version of their teaching. This was not the case, Paul met with Jesus, and His encounter with the resurrected, living Christ, changed everything. This divine origin is what gives the gospel its authority and power. Paul's transformation and the message he shared were rooted in his encounter with the risen Christ, a truth that cannot be replicated through human wisdom or effort. Understanding that the gospel comes from God and not from our own creation or interpretation is crucial. It assures us that the message we carry has the power to change lives and has been preserved through the ages for all to hear and receive.
Galatians 1:11-12 (ESV)- "For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ."
Reflection:
How does Paul's assertion that the gospel is not man's gospel but received through revelation challenge our understanding of the authority of the gospel message?
Do you remember when you first heard the Gospel and it made sense to you? Take a couple minutes and write down your story. How did you hear the Gospel? Who shared it with you? How did you respond?
Day 3: Grace as the Foundation of Salvation
Salvation is a gift of grace, not a reward for your good works.
The story of Paul's conversion is a clear illustration that salvation is not something that can be earned through religious activity or moral excellence. Paul, a former Pharisee, understood the law intimately and pursued righteousness through his own efforts. Yet, it was not until his encounter with Christ that he realized the futility of his works in achieving salvation. This understanding is liberating; it allows believers to rest in the assurance that their salvation is secure, not because of what they have done, but because of what Christ has done for them. It is by grace through faith that we are saved, and this grace is sufficient for all, regardless of past sins or achievements.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Reflection:
In what ways have you been trying to earn God's favor?
How can you shift your focus to rely solely on His grace for your salvation?
Day 4: Christ's Sufficiency in Our Lives
Christ's sacrifice is the cornerstone of our faith.
Paul's willingness to consider all his previous religious accomplishments as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ demonstrates the sufficiency of Jesus' sacrifice. It is not through our own righteousness that we stand before God, but through the righteousness of Christ that is credited to us by faith. This truth should shape our identity and our approach to life, knowing that our confidence and hope are founded on something far greater than ourselves. The sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice is a wellspring of joy and assurance for believers, for in Him we find all that we need for life and godliness.
Philippians 3:7-9 (ESV)
"But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith."
Reflection:
Identify a personal achievement or status that you may have placed too much value on. What is one step you can take to shift your focus from this to the value of knowing Christ?
Consider a time when you felt unworthy of God's grace. How can you use this experience to encourage someone who may feel too far gone to be reached by God's love?
In what way does Paul's willingness to count his past achievements as loss for the sake of Christ inform our perspective on worldly accomplishments versus spiritual gain?
Day 5: Urgency in Gospel Proclamation
Like Paul, we have been saved, called, and sent to proclaim the good news of the Gospel.
In a world where peace is fragile and the future uncertain, we should feel an urgency to share the gospel with as many people as possible. As believers, we are called to live with purpose, to seize every opportunity to make Christ known. The gospel is the only hope for this broken world, and it is our responsibility to carry this message to those who have not yet heard it. This sense of urgency should not lead to fear but to a passionate commitment to live out the Great Commission, trusting that God is at work and that He desires to use us to reach the world with the good news of the Gospel.
Colossians 4:5-6 (ESV)- "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
Reflection:
What opportunities do you have to share the gospel? How can you prepare yourself to speak about your faith with other people?
Reflect on your personal testimony and the transformative work Christ has done in your life. Ask God to reveal specific instances where His grace has been evident. Pray for the courage to share these stories with others, recognizing that your testimony can powerfully demonstrate the reality of God's love and grace.