Yes, we have been moving through Galatians at far less than light speed, but nonetheless, we find ourselves moving into what we now call chapter 2. Remember, Paul wouldn't have written his letter with chapters and verses, which were added centuries later as a means of reference.
Galatians 2:1-10 continues Paul's story. We left off in chapter 1 with Paul having been converted by Jesus, and then spending three years in Arabia, after which he went to Jerusalem and met Peter and James. It seems that Paul didn't return to Jerusalem for another decade and a half after that, as he speaks quite clearly that his next visit was 14 years later. Even then, he went up because something had been revealed to him, and he felt compelled to go and once again touch base to make sure that everyone involved was teaching the same thing. Paul's interest in this was to make sure that the message he had been sharing was accurate.
For a moment, I want to dwell on this point. Paul went to check that he was preaching accurately. Yes, he had Jesus reveal Himself to him. Yes, he likely went and intensively studied the Scriptures and saw Jesus throughout the Old Testament. Yes, he had been preaching and teaching and converting the Gentiles to the faith. Yet, even Paul felt that it was a good idea to check in and make sure that the message he preached and taught was accurate and true.
As we consider those who preach and teach the good news today, we really do need to ask how they continue to make sure that their message is in line with what God has said. It may sound like something that we would take for granted, that our preachers are regularly being in God's Word, testing what they are saying and teaching, and seeking to ensure that it lines up with God's revelation to us. Yet, I can tell you from experience that there are times when that study simply doesn't easily present itself. The demands of caring for God's people can, at times, get in the way of that study time.
What would you do if you walked into your preacher's office and found that he had blocked out an hour of time where he wasn't answering phones or taking calls, and instead was engaged in reading his Bible? Would you expect him to drop that if you had a question that he could answer, but could wait until later? Would you be upset that he was spending time in something that he should already know? Yet, if God's Word isn't speaking to him, if he isn't engaged in continuing to grow in God's Word, how is he making sure that he is speaking God's message, and not his own?
As a preacher, time spent with God and with His Word is never wasted. Sure, it can become an excuse not to do the other things that pertain to the tasks of serving God and His people, but at the same time, it simply cannot be neglected. We dive into the Scriptures to ensure that the message God's people hear is from God, and not from us. Time with our Bible is of vital importance. I would even suggest that you ask your preacher how he is doing in spending time with his Bible, and if you discover that he doesn't get enough time for it, that you then "go to bat" for him in front of the congregation to see that he receives that time. Everyone will benefit from it.
Galatians 2:1-10 continues Paul's story. We left off in chapter 1 with Paul having been converted by Jesus, and then spending three years in Arabia, after which he went to Jerusalem and met Peter and James. It seems that Paul didn't return to Jerusalem for another decade and a half after that, as he speaks quite clearly that his next visit was 14 years later. Even then, he went up because something had been revealed to him, and he felt compelled to go and once again touch base to make sure that everyone involved was teaching the same thing. Paul's interest in this was to make sure that the message he had been sharing was accurate.
For a moment, I want to dwell on this point. Paul went to check that he was preaching accurately. Yes, he had Jesus reveal Himself to him. Yes, he likely went and intensively studied the Scriptures and saw Jesus throughout the Old Testament. Yes, he had been preaching and teaching and converting the Gentiles to the faith. Yet, even Paul felt that it was a good idea to check in and make sure that the message he preached and taught was accurate and true.
As we consider those who preach and teach the good news today, we really do need to ask how they continue to make sure that their message is in line with what God has said. It may sound like something that we would take for granted, that our preachers are regularly being in God's Word, testing what they are saying and teaching, and seeking to ensure that it lines up with God's revelation to us. Yet, I can tell you from experience that there are times when that study simply doesn't easily present itself. The demands of caring for God's people can, at times, get in the way of that study time.
What would you do if you walked into your preacher's office and found that he had blocked out an hour of time where he wasn't answering phones or taking calls, and instead was engaged in reading his Bible? Would you expect him to drop that if you had a question that he could answer, but could wait until later? Would you be upset that he was spending time in something that he should already know? Yet, if God's Word isn't speaking to him, if he isn't engaged in continuing to grow in God's Word, how is he making sure that he is speaking God's message, and not his own?
As a preacher, time spent with God and with His Word is never wasted. Sure, it can become an excuse not to do the other things that pertain to the tasks of serving God and His people, but at the same time, it simply cannot be neglected. We dive into the Scriptures to ensure that the message God's people hear is from God, and not from us. Time with our Bible is of vital importance. I would even suggest that you ask your preacher how he is doing in spending time with his Bible, and if you discover that he doesn't get enough time for it, that you then "go to bat" for him in front of the congregation to see that he receives that time. Everyone will benefit from it.
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