When the Apostle Paul writes a letter to a church, there is typically an issue that Paul needs to address with the church.  In this letter, Paul is writing to a group of churches in the region of Galatia.  The issue in this situation involved a group of Judaizers that were teaching that Gentiles needed to accept Judaism and accept Christ to become a true follower of Christ and receive salvation.  Through the ages, there have been those within Christianity who have attempted to add to the requirements for salvation.  They have attempted to use human authority, peer pressure, and social stress to manipulate believers.

When learning about our faith, who are we to trust as teachers, churches and denominations? First, we have to investigate how much scripture is used as an authority within the church, or have they replaced scripture with tradition.  Or have they replaced God’s authority with human authority.  When the German monk Martin Luther, who began the Protestant Reformation, questioned the Roman Catholic church, he was brought before the church authorities.  Here is a quote of how he responded to their questioning, “Unless I am convicted of error by the testimony of Scripture or (since I put no trust in the supported authority of pope or of councils, since it is plain that they have often erred and often contradicted themselves) by manifest reasoning I stand convicted by the Scriptures to which I have appealed, and my conscience is taken captive by God’s word, I cannot and will not recant anything.”

In essence, the Apostle Paul was telling the churches of Galatia that they were saved through a direct revelation of Jesus Christ in their lives.  They no longer needed to be a member of Israel to be a part of God’s people.  They received their salvation through faith in Christ and that is how they will be judged.  Finally, the hardest question to discern is whose approval are we seeking?  Are you seeking to please others in your life?  Has our social environment influenced our beliefs and faith?  Or has faith through a relationship with Jesus Christ transformed your life and beliefs? The answer to these questions is always more complex and difficult to cover in a short devotion.  However, remember, your purpose as a Christian is always to serve Jesus Christ and to follow His teachings as you live out your faith.

Read Galatians 1:6-24