QT 9/12/2022 Gal 1:1-5, We can't earn God's love

Galatians 1:1–5 (ESV) —

1 Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2 and all the brothers who are with me,

To the churches of Galatia:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

 

NOTE: Paul's salutation often hints at the topics his letter will discuss. One thing he emphasizes is that his apostleship comes not from men but from God. He is no way inferior in his teachings to other apostles. His teachings and his words have authority. Peter, who is rebuked by Paul in a story related in this letter, will say the same thing later in one of his letters, calling Paul's writings God's word. The second main point in the salutation is Jesus -- who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age. Jesus' work is complete. We are delivered -- we are justified. Our life now is lived as a witness of what God has done. Yes, we do work out our salvation so that our witness shows Jesus. But nothing we can do in this life will increase God's favor upon us. God the father already loves us because of what Jesus did on the cross.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I do things to gain God's favor?
2. Do I understand that I am fully loved by God because of Jesus?

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you that my salvation is complete. I know I struggle to live it out at times. But I can never lose your love. You bring discipline, but you always love. Help me to rest in your love. It can't be earned by works. It is already fully given. I just need to rest in it.