GALATIANS 1:18-24

WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2007

WE ALSO CAN HAVE A NEW REPUTATION

18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 20 (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.) 21 Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. 23 But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God in me. Galatians 1:18 - 24 (NKJV)

As I have done in the past I have chosen to do a series of Devotions by going verse by verse through a Book of the Bible. This time I have chosen the Letter of St. Paul to the Galatians. The first Devotion, for Chapter 1, verses 6 - 10, was written earlier and can be found by going to the Devotion Archives. Each following devotion will remain on this page for approximately 6 days before it will be transferred to the Archives. It is my prayer that these devotions will assist you in your Bible Study and in your growth in Faith and in the Love of Jesus. Here then is the third in this series of Devotions.

It is obvious that St. Paul and the people of Galatia are well acquainted. He writes to them as friends, telling them where he has been, who he has seen, and what he is doing. The important part for our devotion is what he says about the Christians in the churches of Judea. In this, there are three important statements.

1. They did not know him by face.  In other words, if St. Paul would have walked up to them and said, “Hello” they would not have recognized him. – For us, this means that we do not have to be a well known and recognized person to serve Christ.

2. They did know him by hearing. His reputation was known before he ever arrived. My guess is the people talked about this man who had persecuted Christians, now being one of the most outspoken missionaries for Christ. – For us, this means that we cannot use our background as an excuse for not sharing the Gospel. No longer can we say that we can’t teach Sunday School because we don’t know enough or because too many people know what I was like years ago.

3. They glorified God in Paul. The people came and heard this Missionary and as they heard, more and more came to the faith that Jesus was the Messiah. They gave the Glory to God and not to the speaker who proclaimed the Good News. – For us, this means that we tell others about the Love that God has for them, and then we get out of the way.

It does not matter who you are, or what you have been in the past. All that matters is that you take your changed reputation and tell the Old, Old Story of Jesus and His Love.

WE PRAY: In whatever we do and whatever we say, TO GOD BE THE GLORY. AMEN.

A SUGGESTION FOR LIVING THE DEVOTION
 

Go to the Library or search the internet for information abut Charles Colson. At one time he was known as the “evil genius” in the Nixon administration. He served prison time and when released, he became a powerful witness for Christ. Find out what you can about him and his organization, Prison Fellowship, to see another whose reputation changed as a result of Christ in his life.