Sheltered in the Arms of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus - Part 675

As Saul, Paul persecuted those who believed in Jesus. In fact, he openly denied Jesus' goodness and mercy. He did not believe the marvelous wonder of life that can only come from our Saviour's love. Nor did Saul/Paul accept that when one asks Jesus into their life, there is a joy and peace that inhabits the believer in such magnitude, that it passes all human understanding. At least, that was the situation until Paul experienced his own encounter with our Lord and Saviour Jesus on the road to Damascus. 

Later, in presenting his personal testimony to the Galatians, Paul became extremely concerned about the direction that new believers were taking. As a consequence, Paul warned against the churches of Galatia about those who would preach another gospel. In Galatians 1:8-9, Paul wrote, "Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." Paul did not mince words. 

Why? Because he knew in whom he believed. He knew in whom he trusted. He knew that there was nothing better than being sheltered in the arms of our Lord and Saviour Jesus. The most high King of kings who willingly gave Himself for our sins that He might deliver us from this present evil world.

And he also knew that his apostleship was "not of men [and] neither by man -- but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father who raised Him from the dead." No human could have appointed Paul to be an apostle. Further, no organized religion or institution could appoint Paul to be an apostle, or for that matter a disciple in the Lord's army. Only Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Jesus from the dead through His quickening spirit had that authority.

This is why Paul found it difficult to believe that the Galatians were "so soon removed from Him that called [them] into the grace of Christ unto another gospel. Which is not another but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ." And it is because of this that Paul wrote, "But though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed," (Galatians 1:1-8)

Paul was adamant on this point because he repeated it for the second time. Read Galatians chapter one for yourself. Paul wrote, "As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:9) Let him be accursed for teaching a message that does not align with the Word.  Paul supported his position by asking, "Do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10)

There was a choice to make and Paul was choosing Jesus. So much so that he certified to the Galatian brethren, "that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received this glorious gospel of man, neither was I taught it. I received the gospel by the revelation of Jesus Christ. For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it. And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

But when it came to pleasing God, who separated [Paul] from my mother's womb, and called [him] by His grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood." (Galatians 1:1-15) 

Yes, this is the same gospel that we willingly preach from the rooftops today. That is, Jesus loves you. He wants you to have the peace and joy that only He can give. His love. His mercy. His grace. Therefore, let Jesus touch you today. Read His Word so that you too can know the truth. Stand in the offering plate.