I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ...For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 1

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ...For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:6-7,11-12 

I pause my study of Hosea to focus on Galatians today through Friday as this book will be discussed with my Friday AM men's Bible study.  I start with Galatians chapter 1 where Paul gets right to it and exhorts the church at Galatia to avoid following false teachers - primarily Judaizers or those who taught that salvation was the result of both God's grace and obedience to certain Mosaic or Old Testament ceremonial laws. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God's grace alone saves - and there is not a thing anyone can do to earn their salvation.  See also Ephesians 2:8-9.  Similarly, there is only one Gospel and we should be careful not to add to, subtract from, or twist God's Word to suit our own desires or motives.
• What do we learn from the text about people?: There are many in this world who have and will continue to put themselves above God by promoting a false gospel.  If you knowingly preach a false gospel (having been corrected by a brother or sister in Christ yet continue preaching such false gospel), you are per the text (vv8-9) accursed.    
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid knowingly preaching or falling prey to false gospel.  Claim the promise that God alone saves.  Follow the example of Paul of recognizing false gospel and correcting those who knowingly espouse such false gospel.  Know God and know His Word - do not add to, subtract from, or twist God's Word to suit your own desires or motives. Love God and follow Him - we exist to glorify God. 

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My Prayer: Father God, thank You for saving me, as I know that You alone - in Your grace - saved me.  Thank You also for Your gospel - the Word - and how You use the Word to reveal Yourself to me, to reveal my sin to me, and to strengthen and encourage me in my journey with You.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.