Galatians 1:3-5, Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Galatians has been called the “Declaration of Independence of Christian Liberty.” It is Paul’s public proclamation of the necessity alone in standing in Christian liberty in the grace of God vs. those that taught religion was a set of laws, rules, rituals, and regulations. But the gospel of the grace of God centers on asking the question, “So what will you do and believe about Jesus Christ?” That is the question and purpose, instead of a list of denominational rules. I have used that question and statement when encountering a rebuttal or argument when trying to witness to someone. That is the important question.
It is said that Julius Caesar had been known for saying that the Galatians were “fickle, fond of change, and not to be trusted.” Have you had that painful experience firsthand yourself with someone? Haven’t we all? “Paul experienced the fickle nature of these people when, after he healed a lame man, the Galatians bowed before him and worshipped him as Jupiter. That was in the morning. In the evening, the same people picked up rocks, threw them at Paul, and left him for dead outside the city in response to a whispering campaign instigated by his enemies (Acts 14).” Jon Courson’s Application Commentary New Testament. Yet God had other plans for Paul, and that was to continue preaching the gospel of grace to the very people that had tried to kill him unjustly.
We will not be delivered from the presence of “the present evil age” until we go to be with Jesus. But we are delivered from the power of “the present evil age.” Colossians 1:13 declares, “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.”
Therefore because of God’s grace, I can:
- Start each new day fresh, to begin again. Yesterday’s mistakes happened yesterday, and by God’s grace, I will learn lessons from them and go forward with new opportunities.
- Discern right from wrong from having my conscience sharpened from reading God’s Word.
- Because of my own sin, I have learned that forgiveness can and should be given.
- Not be enslaved by irritations, anxieties, and fears.
- Be full of joy, peace, love, gentleness, and goodness.
- Have confidence in the fact that God knows my name, Isaiah 43:1.
- Have freedom in not living only to please and impress others, but to please God first in all that I do and for God to say, “well done!”
- Commit my work plans and agendas unto God and He will establish it (put in place, initiate, bring into being). Proverbs 16:3.
Because of God’s grace I am delivered and rescued from the realm and powers of Satan and set free in the liberty of Christ’s sacrifice for my sin on the cross. Our world is temporary and is headed for destruction, by which God has redeemed us that He calls by name and says, “You are mine (Isa. 43:1b).”
Listen to The Blessing (Symphonic Version)-Passion City Church, YouTube.