There is a crisis in the Church of Jesus Christ today and there were dangerous signs two thousand years ago and that is why Paul this letter to the Galatians. Do read it and understand why he wrote it and the real issue with which he deals.
Paul underlines that the God Who sent him is the God Who raised Jesus Christ from the dead. There is something we need to proclaim strongly, when those in positions of leadership within the visible church are questioning whether or not Jesus Christ was raised from the dead.
Now, the type of person who doubts and questions that is a man who has never met the Risen and Living Jesus.
If you have met Jesus Christ Risen and Alive - if you have been born again of the Spirit - anointed with the Holy Spirit - these can never be questions - or can they?
I have met men and women over these past years who have wandered far away from their initial testimony of meeting Jesus Christ!
Paul explains something of his appointment in these opening words - almost by way of testimony.
His basic calling and authority was that he had been called by the Risen Jesus and that he had the support of all the brothers.
It is always interesting to see who is supporting you - who is alongside you - praying with you - ministering with you - encouraging you - standing by you.
These fellow disciples were with Paul in what he was preaching and writing - and he is writing to Christian Fellowships - which were in great danger of being misled.
They were on the point of falling away from Jesus Christ into legalism - into works of the flesh - back into the legalism of Judaism from which Jesus Christ had set men free.
Paul wants these Christian Churches to be filled with Grace and Peace - note the order. We cannot reverse the order.
When the Grace and Mercy and Love of Jesus Christ is filling us - when we have received the forgiveness of Jesus - there can be peace - and only then. And, the only source of these riches is God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul writes about Jesus - giving Himself for our sins - and rescuing us from this present evil age. This is all according to the Will of God OUR FATHER.
Most are unaware that we are living in an evil age, from which we need rescuing and saving.
This is so very different from hearing people say - "O I have always thought that - I've been led to believe that - I was brought up to accept such and such." Can all these various thoughts and beliefs be verified and supported by the Word of God.
I remember receiving an answer to a matter that I have never been confronted with for a long time, but prayed about one day in the Culbin Forest. This had been said to me before I sought an answer. I've been waiting for someone to say - "O if I were baptised in water I would be letting down what my parents did for me." If that were said to me now my reply would be - "Did your mother feed you baby food? What type of Heinz baby food are you having for your tea tonight?"
We do need to know that this present evil age will pass away, but if we do not escape from it - if we are not rescued and saved out of its grip and clutches and hold - such people will pass away with it - when it goes.
Sandy Shaw is Pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship, Chaplain at Inverness Prison, and Nairn Academy, and serves on The Children's Panel in Scotland, and has travelled extensively over these past years teaching, speaking, in America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, making 12 visits to Israel conducting Tours and Pilgrimages, and most recently in Uganda and Kenya, ministering at Pastors and Leaders Seminars, in the poor areas surrounding Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.
He broadcasts regularly on WSHO radio out of New Orleans, and writes a weekly commentary at http://www.studylight.org entitled "Word from Scotland" on various biblical themes, as well as a weekly newspaper column.
His M.A. and B.D. degrees are from The University of Edinburgh, and he continues to run and exercise regularly to maintain a level of physical fitness.
By Sandy Shaw
Article Source: When There Is a Crisis Regarding True Spirituality, What Are We to Do? This Man of God Can Help Us!
Paul underlines that the God Who sent him is the God Who raised Jesus Christ from the dead. There is something we need to proclaim strongly, when those in positions of leadership within the visible church are questioning whether or not Jesus Christ was raised from the dead.
Now, the type of person who doubts and questions that is a man who has never met the Risen and Living Jesus.
If you have met Jesus Christ Risen and Alive - if you have been born again of the Spirit - anointed with the Holy Spirit - these can never be questions - or can they?
I have met men and women over these past years who have wandered far away from their initial testimony of meeting Jesus Christ!
Paul explains something of his appointment in these opening words - almost by way of testimony.
His basic calling and authority was that he had been called by the Risen Jesus and that he had the support of all the brothers.
It is always interesting to see who is supporting you - who is alongside you - praying with you - ministering with you - encouraging you - standing by you.
These fellow disciples were with Paul in what he was preaching and writing - and he is writing to Christian Fellowships - which were in great danger of being misled.
They were on the point of falling away from Jesus Christ into legalism - into works of the flesh - back into the legalism of Judaism from which Jesus Christ had set men free.
Paul wants these Christian Churches to be filled with Grace and Peace - note the order. We cannot reverse the order.
When the Grace and Mercy and Love of Jesus Christ is filling us - when we have received the forgiveness of Jesus - there can be peace - and only then. And, the only source of these riches is God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul writes about Jesus - giving Himself for our sins - and rescuing us from this present evil age. This is all according to the Will of God OUR FATHER.
Most are unaware that we are living in an evil age, from which we need rescuing and saving.
This is so very different from hearing people say - "O I have always thought that - I've been led to believe that - I was brought up to accept such and such." Can all these various thoughts and beliefs be verified and supported by the Word of God.
I remember receiving an answer to a matter that I have never been confronted with for a long time, but prayed about one day in the Culbin Forest. This had been said to me before I sought an answer. I've been waiting for someone to say - "O if I were baptised in water I would be letting down what my parents did for me." If that were said to me now my reply would be - "Did your mother feed you baby food? What type of Heinz baby food are you having for your tea tonight?"
We do need to know that this present evil age will pass away, but if we do not escape from it - if we are not rescued and saved out of its grip and clutches and hold - such people will pass away with it - when it goes.
Sandy Shaw is Pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship, Chaplain at Inverness Prison, and Nairn Academy, and serves on The Children's Panel in Scotland, and has travelled extensively over these past years teaching, speaking, in America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, making 12 visits to Israel conducting Tours and Pilgrimages, and most recently in Uganda and Kenya, ministering at Pastors and Leaders Seminars, in the poor areas surrounding Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.
He broadcasts regularly on WSHO radio out of New Orleans, and writes a weekly commentary at http://www.studylight.org entitled "Word from Scotland" on various biblical themes, as well as a weekly newspaper column.
His M.A. and B.D. degrees are from The University of Edinburgh, and he continues to run and exercise regularly to maintain a level of physical fitness.
By Sandy Shaw
Article Source: When There Is a Crisis Regarding True Spirituality, What Are We to Do? This Man of God Can Help Us!