March 5 - Not Something Man Made Up

Today's Reading:
1 Chronicles 1:1-2:17
Galatians 1:1-24
Psalm 105:23-36 
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Focus Verses:
Galatians 1:11-12
11 I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.

Insight:
Paul makes a bold claim about his preaching. He says he received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. He asserts that his message is not a religion or philosophy he has learned from others or invented himself. Rather, it is truth he has received directly from the living Christ—from Jesus, who rose from the dead and has chosen Paul to be his messenger to the Gentiles (vv.15-16).

The claims of Jesus—"I am the way, the Christ, the Son of God”—put me in a position where I have to decide whether or not to accept them. Is he confused, or misunderstood, or lying, or telling the truth? The claims are so straightforward that they require a response. In the same way, I have to decide whether or not to accept Paul's claims—"my message is not man-made, not invented, not learned, but rather revealed to me directly from Jesus Christ." Is he confused, misunderstood, or lying, or telling the truth?

Response and Action:
I have decided to accept Paul's claims and therefore regard his teaching as true and authoritative. His claim is so straightforward I'm forced to make a choice. His life and the hardships he faced for preaching his message don't support a motive for lying. His reasoning, relationships, and results don't indicate any mental instability. I think it's reasonable to accept that he is telling the truth.

I trust the authority of the Bible and consider it to be revealed by God. As the Apostle Paul says to Timothy, "All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuke, correction, and training in righteousness."

O God, thank you for the inspired truth of the New Testament scriptures that have been given to us through the apostles. Help me to understand and apply what I read. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Amen.

Spiritual Formation Verses: 2 Peter 1:20-21
20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Resources:
Can I Trust the Bible?
by Darrell Bock