Galatians 1:15-21 Appeal to God, for He is Your Master

Galatians 1:15-21 But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus. Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days. But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. (Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying.) Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.

Paul is confronted with great opposition here. As Judaizers (and possibly others) have convinced many of the Galatians of a false message, they have rejected both Paul and his message: the gospel of Christ. As a result, they doubt both Paul and his message, believing he is an inferior teacher and a heretic. However, Paul does still hold a place in their hearts, as he possibly had established this Church (cf. Acts 16:6 and Galatians 1:8-9).

Yet Paul does not quickly appeal to his credentials. Rather, Paul appeals to God, the One who called him and commissioned him. He supports his gospel by appealing to the One behind His gospel. Paul does not concern himself with looking good before his audience; Paul dissuades his audience from measuring him and turns their attention to God. If they want to question Paul’s authority and his gospel they are really calling into question God. Learn from Paul here. When you are questioned, do not reference first your education, you position and title, or your acquaintances. These can all fail you. Rather, appeal to the God who called you. Back up what you say from Scripture and rely upon God’s great name, not your own.

Furthermore, Paul waited patiently to make his way to Jerusalem. Paul trusted in his God. Yet Paul did not remain idle until he could visit the foundation of the Church, the apostles (cf. Ephesians 2:19-20) and gain wisdom from them. Rather, he went to Arabia and returned to Damascus. After three years in Damascus (probably his base, not where he was the whole time) Paul then went up to consult and become familiar with the original apostles. In the same way, as you wait to receive your education (whether secular or religious) or you wait until you have joined your local church or received discipleship training, etc, do not wait idly. Be patient, but seek to both work out your own sanctification (cf. Philippians 2:12-13) and minister in everyway you are capable. For some of you this means leading a Bible study, for others nursery duty at your local church. For all of you, this means giving faithfully, spreading the gospel, and showing the love of Christ to your neighbor.

We see that Paul’s visit to Jerusalem was short and he only visited a few of the apostles. Paul received the affirmation he needed, fellowshipped and gained support, and went about the business of God. We must live like this as well. Christian, you live in a war. Do not waste your time with civilian affairs (cf. 2 Timothy 2:4). Do not waste your time on temporal pleasures and seeking knowledge that does not matter. Get done what you have to do. If you are in college, do not waste your time with all sorts of classes that just sound interesting. Take what you need, save your money, and get out and do the work of Christ. If you are in the full-time workforce, do not waste your time watching “educational” television programs or trying to invent a better mouse-trap. If you are not a historian, a pastor, or a public speaker, do not sit and meditate on the civil war. If you have no practical use for the knowledge you receive, it is trivial and you will be held accountable for wasting your time. After you have what you need to accomplish the task before you, get to that task.