Discussion: The Gospel Revealed To You
So I just thought I would throw out a discussion starter and see who would bite. I don’t know that I have all the answers to the question that I’m about to ask…so don’t feel like you have to come up with somethng profound. Just bring what you have, that’s what the Lord loves.
So here’s the thought–Paul writes to the Galatians to combat the people that were telling them they had to be circumcised to be real Christians. In order combat the false gospel these people were promoting, Paul spends two chapters detailing where he got his true gospel from. And this is what he says, “For I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin. For I did not receive it from a man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ,” (Galatians 1:11-12, ISV).
So here’s the question that I think has important implications. The power of Paul’s gospel came from the fact that he didn’t receive it from humans, but from God. So why are we so content to receive the gospel only from men?
Leave any comments on the subject in the comment line.
We are content with man’s gospel for exactly that reason, because it’s man’s gospel. When we recieve man’s gospel it relieves us from any responsibility to submit or actually trust in God and follow the Holy Spirit, instead of the dictates of our own hearts. It’s exactly what Adam did in the garden. He sought to become like God knowing and trying to do right from wrong instead of Just fixing His gaze on another realm and choosing to live another life, a life of Faith. The gospel requires something of us that the flesh is slow in handing over and for that precise reason men have attempted to reach God, and become like God religiously, because we can feel ok and still live in our own strength
I think it’s just because we doubt what we hear. I mean, I know I hear voices all the time. Don’t you guys? Guys…
Okay, not really.
But, like, when God speaks to me it seems to be in such a small voice that I have trouble distinguishing it from that which my own heart says or what my mind says. And, of course, I worry about if it’s really God talking or not. So, if we receive man’s gospel, which has been verified through the ages, or 100 years or whatever, then it is easier to follow than to step out in the faith required to follow what God is saying at the moment.
Or maybe that’s just my problem.