Digging Deeper Week of 9/16

5-Day Devotion Based on Galatians 2:1-10

Day 1: Defending the Gospel

Summary:
Paul, Barnabas, and Titus go to Jerusalem to meet with the church leaders to ensure they are united in proclaiming the gospel of salvation by grace through faith. This passage highlights the importance of defending the gospel from distortion and protecting its purity.

Read:

• Galatians 2:1-10
• Ephesians 2:8-9
• Acts 15:1-11

Background:
This meeting in Jerusalem (often called the Jerusalem Council) was convened to settle a theological issue about whether Gentile Christians should follow Jewish laws. Paul presents his gospel of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, to ensure unity among the early church leaders.

Key Words:

• Gospel: Good news of salvation by grace.
• Justification: Being declared righteous by faith in Christ.
• Grace: Unmerited favor from God.

Theological Truths:
Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. As John Calvin writes, “Justification by faith is the hinge on which all true religion turns.” Without grace, our works are futile in securing salvation.

Questions for Reflection:

1. Why is it essential to defend the gospel from distortion?

2. How can you personally uphold the truth of salvation by grace through faith?

3. What are some modern-day distortions of the gospel you encounter?

Application:
Memorize Ephesians 2:8-9 this week to reinforce the central truth of the gospel in your heart and mind.

Day 2: Unity in the Gospel

Summary:
Paul’s visit to Jerusalem wasn’t just about theology—it was about unity. The church’s leaders recognized the grace Paul was given and extended fellowship to him, reinforcing that the gospel is for all, regardless of cultural background.

Read:

• John 17:20-23
• Galatians 2:9
• Acts 10:34-36

Background:
This passage shows the church’s need for unity, despite differing backgrounds or practices. Paul’s apostleship to the Gentiles was affirmed by Peter, James, and John, the “pillars” of the Jerusalem church. Their mutual respect and recognition of God’s work demonstrate the importance of Christian unity.

Key Words:

• Fellowship: Sharing in common faith.
• Pillars: Foundational leaders of the church.
• Apostleship: Commissioned leadership to spread the gospel.

Theological Truths:
As theologian Herman Bavinck states, “The unity of the church is grounded in its union with Christ.” The gospel transcends ethnic, cultural, and social divisions, bringing all believers into one body.

Questions for Reflection:

1. How do you promote unity in your local church or Christian community?

2. How can you recognize and affirm God’s work in others who may be different from you?

3. Why is it vital to avoid division over secondary issues while upholding the truth of the gospel?

Application:
Engage in respectful conversation with a fellow Christian from a different tradition, focusing on your shared faith in Christ.

Day 3: The Gospel of Freedom

Summary:
Paul refused to have Titus circumcised as a concession to the false brothers. This shows that the gospel brings freedom from the law, and believers are not bound to follow Old Testament ceremonial practices to be saved.

Read:

• Galatians 5:1
• Romans 8:1-4
• Colossians 2:16-17

Background:
Titus, a Greek Christian, was not circumcised as a demonstration that salvation is through faith, not by adhering to the law. False teachers (Judaizers) insisted that Gentile believers must follow Jewish customs to be fully accepted by God, but Paul stood firm against this distortion.

Key Words:

• Circumcision: A Jewish rite, symbolic of the Old Covenant.
• Liberty: Freedom in Christ from the law’s demands.
• Bondage: Slavery to sin or legalism.

Theological Truths:
Martin Luther emphasized that “the conscience cannot be at peace unless it relies on the gospel alone.” The gospel liberates believers from legalistic requirements and brings peace and freedom in Christ.

Questions for Reflection:

1. In what ways have you experienced the freedom that the gospel brings?

2. Why do some people today still seek to add rules to the gospel?

3. How can you guard your heart from falling into legalism?

Application:
Reflect on areas of your life where you feel pressured to perform for God’s acceptance, and remind yourself of the freedom you have in Christ.

Day 4: Preserving the Truth of the Gospel

Summary:
Paul’s primary goal in his visit was to preserve the truth of the gospel. He wanted to ensure that the churches he had planted were grounded in the true message of grace, not distorted by false teachings.

Read:

• 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
• 2 Timothy 1:13-14
• Galatians 1:6-9

Background:
False brothers sought to undermine Paul’s message, but he refused to compromise. Paul understood that any distortion of the gospel threatens the salvation of souls. For him, the gospel was non-negotiable, and it must be preserved in its pure form.

Key Words:

• Truth: The reality of God’s plan for salvation.
• Preservation: The act of keeping the gospel unchanged.
• Compromise: Altering the gospel for human approval.

Theological Truths:
Charles Spurgeon once said, “The gospel is perfect in all its parts and perfect as a whole; it is a crime to add to it, treason to alter it, and a felony to take from it.” The purity of the gospel is vital for the health and salvation of the church.

Questions for Reflection:

1. What are some modern temptations to compromise the gospel’s message?

2. How can you preserve the gospel in your personal ministry or family?

3. Why is it essential to stand firm in the face of opposition or pressure to change the gospel?

Application:
Pray for discernment and strength to stand firm in your faith and not be swayed by cultural or theological pressures that might distort the gospel.

Day 5: Grace and Generosity

Summary:
As Paul’s gospel was affirmed by the Jerusalem apostles, they encouraged him to remember the poor, a charge he was eager to fulfill. The gospel leads to a life of grace and generosity toward others.

Read:

• James 1:27
• 2 Corinthians 8:1-5
• Galatians 2:10

Background:
Along with their affirmation of Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles, the apostles reminded him of the importance of caring for the poor. This shows that the gospel is not only about personal salvation but also about loving and serving others.

Key Words:

• Poor: Those in need, especially in the early church.
• Generosity: Giving out of grace, not obligation.
• Service: The act of helping others in Christ’s name.

Theological Truths:
John Calvin said, “We must be charitable towards others, even as God has been to us, for we are not owners of our possessions, but stewards.” The gospel compels us to live out grace by meeting the needs of others.

Questions for Reflection:

1. How does the gospel motivate you to care for the poor and marginalized?

2. What practical steps can you take to help those in need in your community?

3. Why is generosity a natural response to the grace we have received in Christ?

Application:
This week, look for an opportunity to give to someone in need, whether through your time, resources, or encouragement, as a reflection of God’s grace in your life.